EC Environmental Policy

Whether or not you believe that GMOs are safe for human consumption, the majority of American consumers support the labeling of GMO foods. Genetically engineered crops might be here to stay, but even so, it may be in the industry's best interest to label products that contain them. So said Campbell Soup President and CEO Denise Morrison in a big announcement: Campbell will disclose the presence of GMOs on product labels across its portfolio and strongly supports federal legislation to make GMO labeling mandatory.

Buckeyes football is taking the sustainability offensive on logistics, fan engagement and waste, form the stadiums to the tailgates

WildAid is running a campaign featuring celebrities biting their fingernails in an attempt to drive home the message that rhino horns -- widely consumed in Asia as a traditional remedy -- are made of the same material found in human nails and hair. That could blunt demand for the horns, helping conservationists defeat poachers who are pushing rhinos toward extinction.

Four years after launching its corporate responsibility strategy, Travel with Purpose, Hilton Worldwide says its investments in global partnerships and sustainability programs is not only driving positive social impact, but also supporting long-term business success. Hilton discusses its strategy and provides updates on its global impact in its fourth annual corporate responsibility report.

Why 3D printers, artificial intelligence, connected sensors, drones and self-driving cars should be on your list. 

Fast food restaurant chain Wendy's will use only cage-free eggs at its U.S. and Canadian locations by 2020.

Fast food company Subway announced plans to serve only cage-free eggs at its 30,000 restaurants across North America by 2025.

The North Face today announced its Fall 2016 line, including more than 500 down product styles that feature certified responsible down through the Responsible Down Standard (RDS). Officially launched in January 2014, the RDS is the most comprehensive, global, third-party certified animal welfare and traceability standard for down and feathers available for use by any company. The North Face initially committed to include 100 percent certified responsible down in all retail and wholesale down products by Fall 2017, and was able to achieve the increase a year sooner than anticipated. 

Hilton Worldwide's environmental management has saved the hotel chain $550 million since 2009, according to the company's latest sustainability report.

In a recent report, NASA pointed out that our world is running on the brink of a freshwater shortage.    When faced with a crisis, history shows us that humanity has an amazing ability to conquer it resourcefully. And that's exactly what many environmental innovators are seeking to do

The US could source 100% of its electricity needs from renewables by 2050, according to Stanford. The report said that under its model, land-based wind and offshore wind would provide 30.9% and 19.1% of the nation's electricity, respectively. Solar, hydroelectric, geothermal and hydro power would supply the remaining capacity. The report added that the plan would create 2,815,850 40-year operation jobs, and 2,285,816 40-year construction jobs.

Buying electronics used to help fund war in Africa. Now big tech companies like Intel are working to make sure their money isn't used for destruction.

Sixteen hotels, including the Waldorf and Pierre, have joined the NYC Carbon Challenge -- a city program aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 30% over the next decade.

Millions of "invisible environmentalists" sift through trash for recyclable material. A rapidly growing program now provides them a living wage. 

TransCanada wants the US to pay it $15 billion to recoup costs and damages related to President Barack Obama's refusal to approve the Keystone XL oil pipeline. In addition to planning the claim under the North American Free Trade Agreement, the company sued the US government in federal court in Texas, claiming Obama's November decision exceeded his constitutional authority.

A growing number of billion-dollar companies are showing that sustainability can be a real driver of profits, writes Freya Williams. Companies such as Tesla, Chipotle Mexican Grill, IKEA, Nike and Whole Foods Market are making serious money through eco-friendly business models. "The green giants are turning a strategy of sustainability or social good into a billion-dollar business proposition, and profiting in the process," Williams explains

It's not all about COP and the pope. Indeed, it's easy to forget how much can happen during a 12-month period. So here, as a public service - not to mention a brief moment of celebration - is my list of 10 notable themes and memes of the year just passed. What would you add to the list?

2015 was Earth's hottest year on record, according to new data released Wednesday by NOAA and NASA. For the last 12 months the  average surface temperature across the globe was 58.47 Fahrenheit, a 0.23-degree increase from 2014's record-breaking average temperature of 58.24, the two agencies reported.

Each year, Future 500 releases a report of what we predict will be the most critical social and environmental issues driving corporate-stakeholder engagement in the coming year. This year, we anticipate that corporations will be challenged to go even further than last year, using their economic influence on policy and politicians while being asked to take a bigger stand on global issues.

In 2016, we predict that stakeholders will continue to organize around issues like chemicals, water scarcity and local control of resources, challenging the private sector to drive change in their supply chains, make more time bound commitments and be more transparent. We anticipate increased focus on women impacting the global economy and concern around global ocean health, an issue moving to the forefront of our list.

The mixed messages over the last few weeks alone - not to mention many other less-than-stellar environmental developments in recent years (hello, fracking) - raise one big question for 2016: which way from here on climate change? Here are five key areas to watch in the year ahead.