Innovation & Technology

Consumers Energy Passionately Supports the Robotics Revolution

Apr 19, 2019 11:35 AM ET

Ellen Green signed up for her high school robotics team because she’s competitive and likes to be involved – not because she was looking for a career.

But Green fell in love with industrial engineering while leading Notre Dame (Pontiac) Prep’s team to success and championships in FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics competitions.

We support FIRST Robotics—which held its national championship in Detroit in 2018 in the first year of a three-year contract—because it creates interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) fields among Michigan students like Green. In 2018, our foundation contributed more than $450,000 for FIRST Robotics teams at elementary, middle and high school levels across the state.

Research, Reports & Publications

Whirlpool Announces Emissions Reduction of 7% and Water Consumption Reduction of 10% From 2017-2018

Apr 19, 2019 11:30 AM ET

Whirlpool Corp. recently released its 2018 Corporate Sustainability Report, highlighting the company’s progress in 2018. Among the milestones mentioned, the company announced it has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 7% from 2017 to 2018 in Whirlpool plants.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

AEG Raises Nearly $20,000 for the American Lung Association Through Company-Sponsored Fight For Air Climb Team

Apr 19, 2019 11:00 AM ET

In a combined effort to advance its employees’ health and well-being and support the American Lung Association (ALA), AEG, the world’s leading sports and live entertainment company raised nearly $20,000 for ALA through its involvement with the 2019 Fight For Air Climb in Los Angeles on April 6 – bringing the company’s collective fundraising total over the past four years to more than $70,000 for ALA.

Green Infrastructure

U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Green Building Program Now Recognizes the Living Product Challenge

Apr 19, 2019 11:00 AM ET

The Living Product Challenge (LPC) is now an approved certification path in the U.S. Green Building Council® (USGBC) LEED® v4/4.1 BD+C program.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

PNC’s Quarterly CSR Newsletter: Exploring Equality, Employee Development and Responsible Investing

Apr 19, 2019 10:50 AM ET

PNC joins Business Coalition for the Equality Act. No one should face discrimination because of who they are or who they love. PNC is proud to join the Human Rights Campaign in supporting and calling on Congress to pass the Equality Act. Learn about this and more in PNC’s Quarterly CSR Newsletter.

Diversity & Inclusion

These 6 University Researchers Are Ready to Change the World With Their Inventions

Apr 19, 2019 10:05 AM ET

A better, smarter 3-D printer. A gel that could speed up wound healing—and minimize scarring. Tattoos that could monitor your metabolism.

These are just a sampling of the big ideas the winners of Johnson & Johnson’s second annual WiSTEM2D Scholars Award Program are hoping to one day bring to market.

Research, Reports & Publications

Accenture Publishes 2018 Corporate Citizenship Report

Apr 19, 2019 9:05 AM ET

Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has published its 2018 Corporate Citizenship Report, which details how the company innovates to improve the way the world works and lives.

“As the pace of innovation disrupts what it means to be a responsible business, organizations must take a leadership role in positively contributing to society at a scale that makes a difference,” said Laurence Morvan, Accenture’s corporate social responsibility officer and also chief of staff — office of the CEO. “With the passion of our people, our technology expertise and a diverse ecosystem of partners, we are driving innovations and programs that help address society’s pressing problems.”

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Video | Retail Revival Spotlight: A Pet Store with a Purpose

Apr 19, 2019 9:00 AM ET

While you can befriend anything from a parakeet to a gerbil (or a tarantula, for the less faint of heart) at their Lansing store, Preuss Pets is now making proper pet care even more accessible by bringing their carefully curated products to eBay. Their eBay store offers truly unique items such as food for cichlids and degus, hammocks for your bearded dragon and handmade catnip toys. “Things like this program are important because it's keeping us on the leading edge of staying successful,” Kirbay said. Looking for a fun toy for your bird? Nutritious food for your hedgehog or guinea pig?

Green Infrastructure

Video | HP Sustainable Impact: Green Logistics in China

Apr 19, 2019 9:00 AM ET

Continued leadership contributes to one of our GHG emissions reduction goals to reduce first-tier production supplier and product transportation-related GHG emissions intensity 10% by 2025, compared to 2015.

As a founding board member of Green Freight Asia, HP drives logistics improvements across the industry and beyond. As we drive logistics improvements across our supply chain, how we package our products also helps in our CO2 reduction efforts. HP is working with one of our suppliers in China to replace wood pallets with pallets made from straw. HP is the first IT company to use pallets made of straw.

Sustainable Development Goals

Yum! Brands shows leadership among fast food peers, takes encouraging first step to mitigate its climate change impacts

Apr 18, 2019 5:25 PM ET

Yum! Brands took “an important first step” to mitigate its impacts on climate change and align with investor expectations on greenhouse gas emission reductions, according to investors who reached an agreement today with the fast food giant.

Diversity & Inclusion

Our Diversity and Inclusion Journey – A Year in Review

Apr 18, 2019 5:20 PM ET

Over the past five years, our journey towards a more diverse and inclusive workplace has evolved from a targeted focus on women to an intersectional program for all employees. While we continue to learn and iterate to provide the best environment for our employees to thrive, we are steadfast in our belief in the power of human difference. In order to harness that power, Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) continues to be a critical business priority. We’ve taken an agile approach. We continue to innovate, testing research against practical application, and evolve our programs, tools and policies to drive change both in our organization and across the broader technology industry.

Research, Reports & Publications

Energy & Sustainability Goal-Setting eBook: Your Guide to 7 Top Standards

Apr 18, 2019 4:00 PM ET

Recent research finds that organizations have more success on energy and sustainability initiatives when they set public goals. But with so many options available, how do you determine which goals will drive the greatest value for your organization? And against what criteria should you assess them? Our goals primer eBook summarizes the top global, third-party benchmarking standards and recommends how to choose the right one to accelerate your energy and sustainability ambitions.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Distinguished Service

Apr 18, 2019 3:45 PM ET

The Salute to the Troops Charity Celebration announced former Navy fighter pilot “Whiz” Buckley as keynote speaker for its May 4 event in St. Joseph, Michigan, presented in part by the Whirlpool Corp. Veterans Assoc. Proceeds benefit Homes for Our Troops.

Green Infrastructure

Does the City of the Future Mean Fewer Cars?

Apr 18, 2019 3:00 PM ET

Research, Reports & Publications

WEC Energy Group Report Details Pathway to Cleaner Energy Future

Apr 18, 2019 3:00 PM ET

Milwaukee – WEC Energy Group unveiled a report on the company’s strategy to reduce costs to customers, preserve fuel diversity and reduce carbon emissions through changes to its generation fleet.

The report – “Pathway to a Cleaner Energy Future” – illustrates the approach WEC Energy Group is taking to reduce emissions and presents a wide-ranging analysis of factors that will help shape future decision-making.

“At this pivotal time in the energy industry, we have made it a priority to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining a reliable, resilient and cost-effective energy system for our customers,” said Gale Klappa, executive chairman – WEC Energy Group.

Environment

Campuses of the Future? PepsiCo Recycling Funds Green Initiatives at 27 U.S. Schools - Imagined, Designed and Executed by Students

Apr 18, 2019 3:00 PM ET

PepsiCo Recycling is excited to announce the 27 colleges and universities set to earn funding for campus sustainability initiatives in the 2018-19 school year through the Zero Impact Fund. Among the most unique projects in this year's winning group include entries from Georgia College & State University, UNC Charlotte, Furman University, Centre College, Otterbein University, and Ohio University.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Keep America Beautiful Opens Application for 2019–2020 National Youth Advisory Council

Apr 18, 2019 2:45 PM ET

Keep America Beautiful®, the nation’s leading community improvement nonprofit organization, is accepting applications for its 2019-2020 National Youth Advisory Council through July 8, 2019.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Comerica Bank Shred Day Houston Provides Event Record 60,036 Meals for Less Fortunate

Apr 18, 2019 2:25 PM ET

Fifteen hundred Shred Day Houston guests donated 4,881 pounds of food and $18,656 in monetary donations, including a $7,500 contribution from Comerica Bank, to the Houston Food Bank, which helped provide an event record 60,036 meals for those in need.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Merck Earns 2019 Energy Star Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award​

Apr 18, 2019 2:00 PM ET

Merck is proud to announce that it received the 2019 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award for continued leadership and superior contributions to ENERGY STAR. Merck has been named a Partner of the Year for 14 years in a row, and in Sustained Excellence for

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

“RI Tech and Innovation Report”— Big Win at SXSW by Sproutel, Slater and More

Apr 18, 2019 1:10 PM ET

Not only did Sproutel take home the top award in the Robotics and Hardware category at the 22nd annual SXSW Interactive Innovation Awards Presented by KPMG, but the company—along with their co-creators—also took home the people’s choice award for the My Special Aflac Duck, a “comforting companion” for children with cancer. “I’m so very proud of our team for both awards, and they represent very different achievements,” said Aaron Horowitz, co-founder and CEO.

Sustainable Development Goals

Business Call to Action Public Eye Q&A Series: Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Apr 18, 2019 1:05 PM ET

Interview with Hans Docter, Director Sustainable Economic Development, Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Education

The New Normal: The Fourth Industrial Revolution’s Demand for Perpetual Learning

Apr 18, 2019 1:00 PM ET

The world is changing. The Fourth Industrial Revolution is here, and it is having an impact on everything, including the future of work. A significant evolution of the labour market is forecast over the next 10 years, and we do not fully know all the jobs of the future.
Given the hyper transformation of technology, business models and work, it is important to understand and anticipate what this means for youth, society, businesses and government, so that everyone has an opportunity to participate in the digital economy. Now more than ever, we need to invest in a new paradigm in the way we acquire the skills needed for jobs – a model that allows for perpetual, renewable skills development.

Health & Healthcare

Disney Team of Heroes Debuts Innovative Experiences at Texas Children’s Hospital

Apr 18, 2019 12:50 PM ET

Just over 12 months since Bob Iger, Chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company, announced a bold $100 million commitment to support children’s hospitals around the world, leaders from Disney and Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, Texas, debuted a suite of experiences, murals and interactive art aimed at providing comfort and inspiration for children and families.

Media & Communications

Survey Results: Global Institutional Investors With US$8.4 Trillion in AUM Confirm The Rising Value of Corporate ESG Principles

Apr 18, 2019 12:45 PM ET

The FTI Consulting business advisory firm surveyed a set of 130 global institutional investors to gauge the depth and breadth of U.S. assets invested using ESG principles. This group of investors, contacted from May through July 2018, responded that their Assets Under Management totaling US$8.4 trillion was believed to have benefitted by the contribution of extra [corporate] value to a company with a high ESG rating.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

PNC Named Among the HRC’s Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality for the Sixth Consecutive Year

Apr 18, 2019 12:45 PM ET

For the sixth consecutive year, PNC has been named among the HRC’s Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality. Our score of 100 percent on the Corporate Equality Index, the national benchmarking tool for corporate policies and practices pertinent to LGBTQ employees, reflects our commitment to our LGBTQ employees and their families.