Corporate Social Responsibility Strategy

Nature's Hacks for Success. Biomimicry might sound complex, but it's simply about learning from nature to enhance our designs. It's like learning from the best teacher, Mother Nature herself. Defined by the Biomimicry Institute, this approach guides us toward sustainable solutions by mimicking perfected patterns and strategies found in nature. Nature has already solved many of our challenges. So, why not apply its genius to our packaging designs? It offers patterns and relationships that inspire better, eco-friendly packaging designs. Whether in structure or materials, designers can draw from nature's beauty, texture, and flow. We discover materials that are waterproof, breathable, flexible, and more. It's as if nature has already completed the heavy lifting of innovation, evolution, and adaptation for us. Think of the honeycomb structure in beehives, not only sturdy but also space-efficient. A great example of biomimicry in packaging design is the SIS bottle by Backbone Branding. Their designers draw inspiration from a flower's pistil to shape a two-litre juice bottle. The design not only stands out with its natural juice colour but also resolves many stacking, storage, and merchandising challenges through its interlocking form. Rooted in geometry with equilateral triangles, these bottles fit snugly together, saving space. Every aspect of the bottle, from its size and proportions to its lines and curves, has been carefully considered. Even the label has been specially designed to adhere to the bottle's irregular surface, eliminating the need for glue. Consider adding nature's strategy into your design process. It will help you close the loop and build a solution that resonates with the ecosystem we breathe in. Biomimicry enables us to develop sustainable systems rather than short-lived, isolated solutions that may soon become outdated. One thing's for sure, we stand at a crucial juncture in human history. The challenges ahead demand designers and innovators capable of creating resilient, adaptable solutions. Our path forward must consider the well-being of future generations across the planet. We must continually draw inspiration from nature and reciprocate by nurturing and preserving it. In doing so, we'll not only enrich our designs but also contribute to the greater ecosystem. Let nature continue to inspire us, and in return, let's contribute to its well-being A cycle of respect and reciprocity where our designs and actions reflect a deep reverence for the natural world. Ready to take a cue from nature's playbook for your next packaging design? 📷Backbone Branding

I am proud to share Google's 2024 Environmental Report, which highlights our commitment to sustainability and the strategic use of AI to drive climate action. This year’s report showcases significant advancements and acknowledges the important and challenging work ahead. Key highlights include: -AI for Sustainability: We've optimized energy use, predicted extreme weather, and enabled carbon reductions. Our AI-powered fuel-efficient routing has enabled 2.9 million metric tons of GHG emissions reductions, equivalent to removing 650,000 cars from the road. -Clean Energy Initiatives: We’ve achieved at least 90% carbon-free energy in 10 grid regions and maintained a global average of 64% carbon-free energy despite our increased electricity load. We also contracted 4 GW of clean energy generation capacity, more than in any prior year. -Water Stewardship: We've nearly doubled our water replenishment portfolio and replenished an estimated 1 billion gallons of water, tripling our progress toward our water replenishment goal. -Circular Economy: We achieved 100% plastic-free packaging for Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, demonstrating our commitment to sustainable product design. Our journey toward a sustainable future is driven by innovation and collaboration. While we celebrate these milestones, we also recognize the challenges ahead and our commitment to transparency and improvement. Explore our full report to learn more about our initiatives and progress: https://lnkd.in/g4nBssnD A huge thank you to our dedicated sustainability team and partners for their relentless efforts. Looking forward to continuing this important work together. #Sustainability #ClimateAction #AIforGood #RenewableEnergy

When I took on my role as Chief Corporate Citizenship Officer at PMI, I set a handful of parameters for myself and my team: 1. Don’t fall into the trap of arm’s-length checkbook philanthropy: One-off cash infusions can help nonprofits in the immediate term, but they don’t get at the issue of sustainable growth. 2. Focus, focus, focus: Diffusion is the enemy of progress. There are an endless number of worthy causes and charitable organizations, but our greatest impact will come from identifying a small number of causes that are intrinsically tied to our values and vision and making those causes priorities. (In our case, this is U.S. military veterans, women’s equity and empowerment, and hyperlocal activations.) 3. Empower—and learn from—those already in the trenches: We’re not going to dictate what happens at the community level. We’re here to listen and learn and find ways to support and expand the good works already underway. 4. Give a “hand up” instead of a handout: Band-Aid solutions may make us feel good in the short term, but they don’t get to the root problem. The cash infusions we give our community-based partners are meaningful, but their value grows exponentially when paired with our business expertise and insights. 5. Offer employees a chance to contribute to change: We polled PMI’s U.S. workforce earlier this year about our plans to support military veterans. An astonishing 97 percent of employees raised their hands to get involved. There’s a hunger out there for making a positive difference in local communities and the broader world. Find ways to connect your people to the issues that matter most to them. It turns out that this is the way the next generation of philanthropists is thinking about their impact as well. A recent article (I’ll share the link in comments) shares interesting insights into how our younger generations—millennials and Gen Z—are embracing a more comprehensive approach to philanthropy focused on measurable impact and deeper connections. They’re also showing a greater tolerance for the “long game,” willing to take risks in the short term to lay the groundwork for greater gains down the road. As the next generation of philanthropists takes the reins and starts investing more than money in the causes they care about, let’s make sure our organizations are prepared to do the same.

Last week, the U.S. Soccer Federation made waves with a bold move: the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino as the new head coach of the U.S. men's national team. This hire signals a serious step forward in preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted right here in North America. With Pochettino's pedigree as a top-tier coach, this decision marks a new chapter in U.S. Soccer's ambition to compete at the highest level on the global stage.   However, what stands out even more is the innovative financial backing behind this appointment. A significant portion of Pochettino’s contract is supported by a philanthropic contribution from key figures in the financial world, including Ken Griffin (Citadel) and Scott Goodwin (Diameter), along with a group of corporate partners.   This collaboration is a groundbreaking case of financial services, philanthropy, and sports intersecting in a unique way. Traditionally, corporate sponsorships in sports focus on visibility, branding, and engagement with fans. But this move goes beyond traditional sponsorship models and highlights how corporate allies and sponsors can create deeper, more meaningful contributions to sports organizations by driving talent acquisition and operational support through philanthropic gifts.   This approach raises fascinating questions for the industry:   - Could this model signal the start of a trend? As private investment blends with philanthropy, will we see other sports teams and organizations adopt this innovative funding strategy to compete at the highest levels?   - What are the tax implications? U.S. Soccer operates as a nonprofit, which opens the door to the possibility that these contributions may be tax-deductible. Could this further incentivize financial leaders and corporations to support sports in this way?   - The bigger picture: Will this create a ripple effect, with investors and senior executives finding new avenues to influence and shape the future of sports, all while aligning with social and philanthropic values?   For those of us in the private investment and executive leadership space, particularly within the sports industry, this serves as a case study in how business leaders can redefine the concept of partnership in sports. There’s an emerging opportunity to blend financial acumen with philanthropic intent to fuel the future of sports development.   https://lnkd.in/ew_NQKMN   #sportsbusiness #philanthropy #soccer

ESG through a Human Rights Lens 🌎 ESG frameworks, though important in guiding environmental, social, and governance aspects, require a more nuanced approach, particularly in addressing social concerns. The integration of human rights principles stands out as a vital enhancement for businesses across various sectors. The alignment with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) offers a holistic approach to managing human rights impacts in business operations and relationships, including supply chains and client engagements. Central to this approach is the development of robust human rights policies and the implementation of thorough due diligence processes. These steps are crucial not just for identifying risks but also for actively working to mitigate them and ensuring that business partners adhere to similar standards. A human rights-informed ESG strategy enriches risk assessment and management, encompassing a wide range of issues such as labor rights, data privacy, and equitable business practices. This leads to a more complete understanding of stakeholder impacts and implications. Engaging with a diverse set of stakeholders, especially those directly impacted, is critical. Such engagement offers valuable insights into the actual effects of business activities, enabling the creation of more effective, rights-oriented solutions. This approach emphasizes the broader impacts, extending beyond financial materiality. It advocates for the mitigation of all adverse human rights impacts, fostering a proactive and adaptive risk management culture. The responsibility of integrating human rights extends to all business activities, transcending the traditional scope of ESG-labeled initiatives. It's about embedding ethical and responsible practices in every aspect of business conduct. Incorporating human rights into ESG practices not only addresses the limitations of current frameworks but also sets a more realistic, balanced path towards sustainable and ethical business practices. This transition is crucial for achieving genuine sustainability and ethical integrity in the business world. Source: BSR #sustainability #sustainable #humanrights #esg #business #riskmanagement #impact #climatechange #governance

I often think about the difference between being a funder and being a true partner. Through Cisco Social Impact Investments and the Cisco Foundation, we provide funding to organizations working at the forefront of social innovation. That support is critical, and we’re intentional about honoring its role. At the same time, we try to ask ourselves a broader question: how can we show up in ways that go beyond funding itself? Every nonprofit needs capital. But many also need access to technology, strategic guidance, specialized expertise, and networks that can help them scale and strengthen their work. We think about this as 1 + 1 = 3. Where it makes sense, we pair funding with technology. If the right infrastructure or stronger cybersecurity can accelerate impact, we lean in. We offer advisory support when it’s helpful, whether that’s thinking through growth, measurement, or long-term sustainability. If a partner needs highly specialized expertise, such as a cybersecurity assessment or a refined fundraising strategy, we tap into our ecosystem to connect them with the right people. Sometimes the value we can add is simple but meaningful. Hosting a partner at our offices so they can convene without additional expense. Presenting together at conferences to amplify their voice. Making introductions that create new opportunities. I believe this is where corporate philanthropy becomes most effective. Every company has assets beyond funding: talent, technology, relationships, credibility. The question is not just how much we give. It’s how intentionally we bring the full enterprise to the table. Because funding matters. But the multiplier often comes from everything around it.

94% of major U.S. corporations say they’ll maintain or increase philanthropy in 2025. But here’s the catch: Most nonprofits will still miss out. Why? Because they’re fishing in the wrong waters. They pitch donations when companies are really looking for partnerships. Here’s what no one tells you: 1. Companies don’t care about your gala. They care about aligning philanthropy with brand visibility, employee engagement, and ESG metrics. Show them how you help them measure impact, not just feel it. 2. Your pitch deck is upside down. Most nonprofits start with “Here’s who we are.” Flip it. Start with: “Here’s the business risk you’re already facing, and how partnering with us helps solve it.” 3. Employee participation is your hidden superpower. Companies want employees involved, not just checks written. Invite their teams to volunteer, co-create campaigns, or tell impact stories on LinkedIn. That’s internal buy-in = budget unlocked. 4. Philanthropy budgets are shrinking relative to ESG/CSR budgets. Translation: Stop chasing “charity dollars.” Go after strategy dollars. You’ll instantly play in a bigger league. Corporations are raising the bar. If you want their funding, you need to stop acting like a charity and start showing up like a business partner. What’s one thing you’ve done differently in a corporate pitch that actually worked? (I’ll share the best answers in a follow-up post.) With purpose and impact, Mario

🌟Highly recommend "Higher Ground" by Alison Taylor. 🌟 If you want to make a difference in business and do the right thing, this book will help you navigate the complex ethical challenges that organisations face today. Here are some of the key takeaways that resonated with me. 🔑 Build stakeholder trust: Trust is the basis of ethical business practices. Prioritise gaining trust with employees, customers, investors, and communities. 🔑 Materiality assessment: A practical five-step process for identifying the most critical ethical and sustainability priorities. 🔑 Combating corruption: Create a culture of integrity rather than just compliance. Use a systems-level strategy to address corruption and improve the organisation's "moral muscle." 🔑 Human Rights at the Core: View ethical responsibilities through a human rights lens to maximise positive impact. 🔑 Transparency as a positive force: Leverage transparency strategically to build trust and drive meaningful change while being mindful of its limitations. 🔑 Encourage curiosity: Cultivate a culture of curiosity and open dialogue. Empower employees at all levels to question and discuss ethical problems. 🔑 Be honest: Avoid exaggeration. Companies should be focused and honest about what they can achieve. 🔑 Design rules for humans: Create ethical guidelines that account for human behaviour, making it easier for employees to make the right decisions in complex situations. 🔑 Purpose starts with impact: A company’s purpose must reflect its actual impact, not just aspirational statements. This book offers a practical guide for businesses to lead with integrity, build trust, and make meaningful change.

Today, we released Google’s 2026 Environmental Report. It outlines how we are responsibly managing the growing footprint of the infrastructure powering AI, while working to realise the technology's beneficial potential. True sustainability requires transparency, and our path forward is anything but linear.  I'm incredibly proud of how our teams are using disciplined execution to drive real-world impact across our operations, products, and supply chains. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝘀𝘀: 📉 Operational Decoupling: Even with our rapid growth and a 37% increase in electricity demand, we successfully reduced our absolute operational emissions (Scope 1 and 2 market-based) by 2% year-on-year. ☀️ Unprecedented Clean Energy: In 2025 alone, we signed agreements for over 12 GW of net-new clean energy, which is the largest annual procurement total in our history. Google is one of the largest corporate purchasers of clean energy in the world. 💻 Hyper-Efficient Infrastructure: Our data centers remain industry leaders, operating with a fleet-wide average Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of 1.09 and utilising 83% less overhead energy than the industry average. 🗺️ AI-Driven Global Mitigation: Beyond our footprint, nine of our AI product solutions (like fuel-efficient routing in Google Maps) helped individuals and partners collectively reduce an estimated 41 million tCO2e. That's roughly three times Google's own emissions. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬: We understand that there are immediate environmental costs that accompany the build out of AI infrastructure. While our near-term operational mitigations are successfully decoupling absolute emissions from load growth, we are taking responsibility across our broader value chain challenges: 🌐 Grid Bottlenecks: Systemic grid delays and long interconnection queues continue to stall clean energy globally, so we are pioneering new market frameworks with utilities and regulators to clear these paths. 📈 Supply Chain Growth: Our scope 3 emissions grew by 25% due to rapid infrastructure expansion. Because grids in regions like Asia-Pacific remain undersupplied with carbon-free energy, we're expanding supplier clean energy commitments and driving direct clean energy procurement to accelerate local transitions. We are treating these market hurdles as a call to innovate. From signing first-of-their-kind corporate agreements for advanced nuclear power and enhanced geothermal energy, to applying AI tools that streamline grid interconnection queues, we are using Google's growth as an engine for global energy innovation. 📖 Read the blog: https://lnkd.in/eg57S5hf 📊 Read the full report: https://lnkd.in/e4F_-G-K  🤖 Chat directly via NotebookLM: https://lnkd.in/eSnC5g-i 🔽 Check-out key highlights below:

Over the past few weeks, we’ve engaged in several discussions with our clients about the upcoming eco-design and product related transparency requirements in the EU.   While addressing compliance-related matters is necessary, it’s equally important to avoid getting stuck in the details. With a focus on the bigger picture, every risk also presents an opportunity.   What will your sector look like in 3, 5 and 10 years' time? Ensure that you’re making the right decision today, with a plan for tomorrow.   TRANSFORM The EU is pushing for a shift to a net-zero and circular economy. However, compliance is just one piece of the puzzle. It’s equally important to explore how these requirements, combined with other megatrends, will shape your business in the coming years. Consider how changing end-user needs and behaviors, AI and other disruptive technologies, the planetary crisis (climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution etc), resource scarcity, geopolitics and protectionism together with other relevant megatrends will affect your sector and your products and services going forward. ▪ How is your business responding to these changes? ▪ What will drive profitability in the future? ▪ How can you safeguard your products and business model for the long term? One thing is clear. To ensure a resilient business models for the future, there is a need to integrate companies’ digital and sustainability transformation agendas. We need to design profitable, user centric business models for a net-zero and circular economy and with respect for human rights. OPTIMIZE While understanding the bigger picture is crucial, action is needed to ensure compliance with upcoming regulatory requirements. Eco-design marks the first step in the transition towards circular business models. Developing products according to new demands and getting access to the required data takes time, so start in time. ▪ Identify product-specific regulatory requirements. ▪ Conduct lifecycle assessments (LCAs) to understand and reduce your products’ environmental footprint. ▪ Integrate eco-design principles into the design process. ▪ Design durable products that can be repaired, refurbished, reused, remanufactured, upgraded, and recycled (planned obsolescence is no longer an option). ▪ Ensure energy efficient products. ▪ Strive to use biodegradable and/or recycled and recyclable materials. ▪ Identify and minimize the use of substances of concern. ▪ Aim for supply chain transparency and traceability. ▪ Prepare to meet information requirements for digital product passports. ▪ Leverage digital solutions to enable a data-drive approach. Many of the requirements in the new EU regulations will cascade down global supply chains. So even if your company isn’t covered by these regulations, your business is likely to be affected if your customers, or your customers’ customers, are affected. #Semcon#Goodpoint#Knightec