Research, Reports & Publications

Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA Publishes 2015/2016 Corporate Responsibility Report

Sep 16, 2016 9:00 AM ET

Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA recently issued its 2015/2016 Global Corporate Responsibility Report. The report provides an overview of the company’s corporate responsibility activities, progress and performance in the areas of Access to Health, Environmental Sustainability, Employees and Ethics & Transparency.

Research, Reports & Publications

NEC Releases Annual Report on Corporate Social Responsibility

Sep 16, 2016 1:00 AM ET

NEC Corporation announced today the release of its annual report on corporate social responsibility (CSR) during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. NEC has announced its CSR activities aiming to promote sustainable growth and increase corporate value since fiscal 2005.

Responsible Production & Consumption

HEINEKEN USA Drives Responsibility Home

Sep 16, 2016 12:55 AM ET

How many times have you heard the phrase “don’t drink and drive”? It’s a good phrase. But is it good enough? At HEINEKEN USA, it’s something we’ve been thinking a lot about. Advocating responsible consumption is a huge part of our Brewing a Better World strategy and a key priority within our global business strategy. Excessive consumption can never be part of a sustainable future for our company or our industry. And with today marking our third annual Enjoy Responsibly Day, we’d like to talk about our commitment to eliminate drunk driving.

Environment

Georgia Welcome Center to Receive Pollinator Garden

Sep 15, 2016 6:05 PM ET

The Georgia Conservancy, Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG), the Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT), The Ray and the Chattahoochee Nature Center will all use shovels and work gloves on September 17 to install a 7,000-square foot pollinator garden at the Georgia Visitor Information Center (VIC) on Interstate 85 in West Point. The pollinator garden will be the first installed at any Georgia DOT facility.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Responsible Sourcing and Economic Support for Local Communities in North America Help Earn Sodexo Its 12th Consecutive Top Ranking on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index

Sep 15, 2016 5:45 PM ET

Sodexo, world leader in Quality of Life Services, is once again the top-rated company in its sector on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI), giving the group 12 consecutive years of recognition in Corporate Responsibility. Sodexo was also ranked the number one consumer services companies for the third year in a row, reinforcing the success of Sodexo’s global commitments to sustainability.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Sodexo Announces Membership in the “Better Buying Lab” to Develop Sustainable Food Strategies

Sep 15, 2016 5:15 PM ET

Sodexo, world leader in Quality of Life Services, announced today that it has become a member of the Better Buying Lab, a new initiative of the World Resources Institute (WRI) that brings together the food industry and some of the brightest minds from consumer research, behavioral economics and marketing strategy to test and scale new ways to help consumers buy products that have a lower environmental impact.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Next Generation Products Certified As Living Products

Sep 15, 2016 4:50 PM ET

Humanscale, Bureo, Owens Corning and Garden Tower Project have received Living Product certification for new and redesigned products that meet the high bar of the Living Product Challenge, that is, to design and manufacture products that function as elegantly and efficiently as anything found in the natural world.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Video: Bloomberg Startup Is Full STEAM Ahead

Sep 15, 2016 4:20 PM ET

Bloomberg Startup workshops immerse under-served students in Bloomberg’s culture, products, and values. Students receive technical and leadership training from dedicated employee volunteers.

Responsible Production & Consumption

How PepsiCo is Taking Action on Palm Oil – Interview

Sep 15, 2016 4:00 PM ET

PepsiCo published the first update on its Palm Oil Action Plan. Ben Cooper spoke with Andrew Aulisi, senior director, global environmental policy at ‎PepsiCo, about the progress to date and how the company's initial actions and achievements are likely to be received by environmental campaigners.

Responsible Production & Consumption

FDA Bans 19 Antibacterial Chemicals Used in Hand and Body Soaps

Sep 15, 2016 3:40 PM ET

The FDA has banned 19 antibacterial ingredients used in hand and body soaps, citing a lack of evidence demonstrating that these ingredients are safe and more effective than ordinary soap for preventing illness. The ban specifically targets consumer products and does not apply to soaps used in hospital settings and food services. This is part of a larger effort by the FDA to push consumers toward using ordinary soap and water for sanitization.

Diversity & Inclusion

Sanofi VETS Group Comes Together for Community Hope Flag Day Run and Walk

Sep 15, 2016 2:35 PM ET

At Sanofi, Diversity and Inclusion is foundational to how we operate as a company by successfully leveraging differences in people, perspective and ideas to drive business outcomes.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

National Diversity Council Announces the 2016 Most Powerful Business Women in Texas

Sep 15, 2016 2:30 PM ET

The National Diversity Council, along with Texas Diversity Magazine, is proud to announce the 2016 Most Powerful Businesswomen award winners.

Green Infrastructure

Green Key Eco-Rating Program Version 3.0 is Now Available!

Sep 15, 2016 2:30 PM ET

The Green Key Eco-Rating Program, the lodging industry’s certification program of choice, has been renovated, and we are pleased to announce that version 3.0 (V3) is now available!

The move to V3 is all part of Green Key Global’s continuing goal of remaining the leading environmental certification body in the industry and to align ourselves with GSTC Recognition status.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Earthworm-Inspired Innovation Wins $10K Living Product Prize

Sep 15, 2016 1:45 PM ET

A University of Oregon design team has won the first Living Product Prize in the Biomimicry Global Design Challenge for the Living Filtration System, an innovation that creates healthier soils by preventing nutrients from leaving fields in runoff. Their $10,000 Living Product Prize win was announced at the Living Product Expo in Pittsburgh, PA yesterday.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

How the Banking Industry Could Shape the Future for Corporate Sustainability

Sep 15, 2016 1:30 PM ET

More and more each day, sustainability is becoming a crucial topic in the business world. To this extent, the UN Global Compact has specified four main principles for maintaining a sustainable business: human rights, labor rights, environmental protection and anti- corruption.

Energy

GM Details its 100 Percent Renewable Energy Goal

Sep 15, 2016 1:15 PM ET

GM is pledging to meet its electricity needs at all of its global operations with renewable energy – such as wind, sun and landfill gas – by 2050. The company’s global renewable energy manager, Rob Threlkeld, answers some questions about the company’s 100 percent renewable energy plans and what it will take to achieve its goal.

Research, Reports & Publications

Quest Diagnostics: Investing in Green Power to Reduce Our Carbon Footprint

Sep 15, 2016 1:15 PM ET

Powering our more than 2,200 Patient Service Centers and our major lab locations across the country, which operate 24 hours a day, takes a tremendous amount of energy. To balance running an effective business with reducing the environmental impact of our operations, we continuously seek opportunities to reduce energy use and invest in green energy.

Health & Healthcare

Blue Cross & Blue Shield Of Rhode Island Launches Next Generation Wellness Platform With Virgin Pulse

Sep 15, 2016 1:05 PM ET

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) today announced a new contract with Virgin Pulse to offer a customized wellness platform to its members. Beginning in 2017, BCBSRI members will have access to the global online solution to encourage, improve and sustain healthy habits.

Events, Media & Communications

How Does One Pursue a Career in Sustainability?

Sep 15, 2016 12:45 PM ET

This is the question on the minds of many young professionals, as well as a growing number of seasoned professionals looking to change course and work on issues that match their passions and worldview. In our feature article this week, Mike Hower, Senior Writer at GreenBiz group shares some very important takeaways for those that find themselves in this position.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

CBRE UK Charitable Trust Appoints New Board of Trustees

Sep 15, 2016 12:30 PM ET

The CBRE UK Charitable Trust has appointed a new board of trustees to support its charitable work. CBRE’s Guy Gregory, Head of Client Care (UK & EMEA), will chair the foundation. Other trustees include Angela Seddon, a Senior Director in the north west Building Consultancy team, Ashley Sweetland, Director of Internal Communications and Corporate Responsibility, Emma Warren, an Associate Director in the Planning team, based in Manchester, Miles Skinner, an Associate Director in London Capital Markets and chairman of CBRE’s ‘Junior Board’ and Rachel Lee, Director of Procurement for Global Workplace Solutions (Local Facilities Management).

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

A Very Sweet Success

Sep 15, 2016 12:25 PM ET

Events, Media & Communications

Carlsberg Group Marks Global Beer Responsibility Day with Activities Across the World

Sep 15, 2016 12:00 PM ET

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Kent State University Introduces First Certified Gluten-Free Dining Hall on a College Campus

Sep 15, 2016 11:55 AM ET

Sodexo, world leader in Quality of Life Services, today announced the introduction of the first certified gluten-free dining hall on a college campus. In partnership with Kent State University (KSU), Sodexo, the world’s largest employer of registered dietitians, helped design and will manage day to day operations of the dining hall which serves approximately 800 students every day.

Environment

Keep America Beautiful Opens Application Period for 2016 Coca-Cola Public Space Recycling Bin Grant Program

Sep 15, 2016 11:45 AM ET

National nonprofit Keep America Beautiful and The Coca-Cola Foundation today announced the opening of the application period for the 2016 Coca-Cola Public Space Recycling Bin Grant Program.

Education

How T. Rowe Price Works to Build Financial Capability in Communities

Sep 15, 2016 11:30 AM ET

In 2015, the firm’s Money Confident Kids® program reached 1.5 million people through its financial education websites, online games, apps, exhibits, programs with Scholastic and Junior Achievement, and sponsored events. Here is how the program works.