ESG News from Leading Brands

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

The National Lottery Operator Takes Proactive Approach to Player Safety

Dec 29, 2016 9:05 AM ET

Innovative software tracks data to identify online problem play. Miranda Ingram reports . . .

As operator of The National Lottery, Camelot’s mission is to change lives. Both the lives of its winners – it makes almost 30 millionaires a month – but also the lives of people who benefit from the incredible £36 million that is delivered every week in Good Causes funding. Since The National Lottery began in 1994, players have raised over £35 billion for Good Causes – this means an average of 150 lottery grants in every neighbourhood have been awarded.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Climate Disclosure Framework Creates a Better Environment for Investors

Dec 28, 2016 3:50 PM ET

Stephanie Leaist is a member of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures, and managing director, Head of Sustainable Investing at Canada Pension Plan Investment Board

Environment

Land Conservation, Wildlife Habitat to Benefit from Nearly $1.4 Million from Duke Energy

Dec 28, 2016 2:45 PM ET

Diversity & Inclusion

A Proven Case: Championing Diversity Enables Innovation

Dec 28, 2016 2:05 PM ET

The importance of innovation in business is undisputed. Tapping into diversity as a driver of innovation is a newer concept — but it is already proving its worth. Dubie Cunningham, vice-president of innovation at the Digital Factory at Scotiabank, shares why and how diversity has been a key driver of success.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

A Year in CSR: The Top 10 Trends of 2016

Dec 28, 2016 1:15 PM ET

There’s no doubt that 2016 has been a turbulent time for business and society. Yet with this instability has come progress and awakening. Many organizations took the opportunity to redefine what “responsibility” looks like – beyond just material issues or products and services – to what a company’s larger role in society could be. We saw moments in time grow into movements, employees roll up their sleeves on sustainability, and technology play a leading role in communicating to consumers. As the year draws to a close, Cone Communications evaluated a years’-worth of corporate social responsibility (CSR) trends to bring you the top 10 trends of 2016.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Aflac Survey Shows the Growing Importance of Corporate Social Responsibility for Consumers and Investors

Dec 28, 2016 11:55 AM ET

Billionaire Warren Buffet famously said that “It takes 20 years to build a reputation, and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently.” As we begin approach the promise of a new year, Mr. Buffet’s words provide a reminder for businesses and consumers about the importance of a strong reputation.

Events, Media & Communications

10, 9, 8…. Countdown the Top 10 Blog Posts of 2016!

Dec 28, 2016 11:00 AM ET

A year can seem like a long time, especially when you’re in the ever-evolving world of corporate social responsibility and volunteerism.

Environment

Ecocentricity Blog: Let's Play Another Game

Dec 28, 2016 10:15 AM ET

Here’s the game. I will give you a quote, and then I will challenge you with the impossible task of guessing who said it. It could be Justin Bieber. It could be Kim Jong-un. Who knows?!?!

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

On The Ground In Africa

Dec 28, 2016 9:00 AM ET

As a long-term investor and responsible steward of the assets it manages on behalf of its customers, Old Mutual Africa is on course to becoming the leading responsible investor on the continent, where it has offices in Kenya, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Old Mutual Africa’s Responsible Investment Committee spearheads this initiative, ensuring that we continue to incorporate environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations in the assets in which we invest. Marjorie Mayida shares some of the learnings along her ESG journey into the African investment landscape.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Employee Giving is Alive and Thriving

Dec 28, 2016 9:00 AM ET

Employee giving and engagement programs are changing -- not dying.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Agricultural Innovator Jim Knutzon Joins SCS Global Services in Senior Position

Dec 28, 2016 8:30 AM ET

SCS Global Services is pleased to announce that Jim Knutzon has joined its corporate management team as the new Vice President for Special Projects.

Social Impact & Volunteering

‘Mobile Eyes’ Clinics Provide Free Eye Exams to Those in Need

Dec 28, 2016 8:20 AM ET

While making general health care accessible to all has been a focal point for the most recent federal administration, bringing specialty health services like optometry to underserved communities has not been the priority.

Health & Healthcare

Healthy Office, Healthy Life

Dec 28, 2016 7:40 AM ET

According to a CBRE Research report on Wellness in the Workplace, 79 percent of employee respondents said balancing private and professional commitments was a cause of stress, while 80 percent of employees said wellness programs would be crucial to attracting and keeping them at their jobs for the next 10 years.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

MPs from 34 Countries Write to Stock Exchanges Asking Them to Make Firms Reveal Climate Change Risks

Dec 27, 2016 2:55 PM ET

An international alliance of over 100 MPs from 34 different countries have written to the world’s stock exchanges calling on them to factor in the financial risks of climate change.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Your Kitchen, A Year Older: 4 Ways Food Companies Will Evolve in 2017

Dec 27, 2016 2:15 PM ET

Some things about food never change―it can bring people together to share a meal, satisfy cravings and nourish our bodies and souls. Other things, like the enormous popularity of gelatin salads in the 1930s, have their moment at the table and depart into culinary obscurity.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Technology Companies, China Pledge to Stop Human Rights Abuses in Cobalt Mining

Dec 27, 2016 1:50 PM ET

Human rights and news organizations have recently revealed the extent of human rights abuses associated with artisanal cobalt mining. As a result, electronics and automotive companies around the globe have announced various commitments to stop the use of forced labor and child labor for cobalt mining.

Health & Healthcare

The Hospital Of The Future May Be A Tiny, High-Tech Medical Kit

Dec 27, 2016 12:00 PM ET

In so many ways, the gadgets seen in Star Trek remind us that the show is science fiction—a fantasy world inspired by the one we live in. And at times, the show can act as a glimpse into the future. The medical tricorder—that all-in-one portable device that can accurately diagnose anything—sits somewhere in the middle of that spectrum. Medical tech has gotten smaller and more accurate, but we've yet to design a handheld diagnostic panacea. That could change soon.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Reducing Empty Miles Through Coyote

Dec 27, 2016 12:00 PM ET

An empty mile is distance traveled by a vehicle with no cargo on board. In 2015, UPS acquired a Chicago based logistics company, Coyote Logistics, that specializes in filling empty miles.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Scotiabank Recognized as an Outstanding Corporate Philanthropist

Dec 27, 2016 11:30 AM ET

Scotiabank was honoured to have been recognized at the Association of Fundraising Professionals Ottawa Philanthropy Awards as an Outstanding Corporate Philanthropist on November 17.

Environment

Program Incentivizes Recycling with Free Coffee and Yoga

Dec 27, 2016 10:15 AM ET

Although the concept of recycling is nothing new to Americans, the U.S. recycling rate still hovers around 34 percent. And even with numerous campaigns to encourage Americans to recycle – from clearer labels to efforts to make recycling hip – the issue still plagues companies and consumers alike. Yet, according to the 2014 Cone Communications Recycling in the Home Survey, the top motivator to get people to the bin is through earning rewards, money or incentives. Now, one initiative in the Netherlands does just that – incentivizing individuals to recycle by providing free cups of coffee or discounts on yoga classes.

Health & Healthcare

Tork Xpressnap® Comparison Video: Better Hygiene for Customers

Dec 27, 2016 10:10 AM ET

Tork Xpressnap® is North America’s best-selling line of napkin dispensing systems because it reduces napkin usage by at least 25%—Guaranteed!* That means fewer refills and lower labor costs. Better hygiene for customers.

Education

Ten to Watch: Joy Wolfram, Ph.D.

Dec 27, 2016 9:40 AM ET

Joy Wolfram is a postdoctoral fellow at the Houston Methodist Research Institute where she is working on drug delivery systems to directly target cancers.

Events, Media & Communications

Using the Power of Communications for Social Impact

Dec 27, 2016 9:05 AM ET

Dentsu Aegis directs its employees’ skills toward community-based charities. Adam Woodhall reports . . .

[crosshed] “Over the past five years, the agency has helped more than 2,500 small charities to increase their communications capabilities.”

On an average day in the Western world, people see between 250 and 270 pieces of advertising. Globally, approximately $600 billion was spent on advertising in 2015, with the UK spending nearly 1% of its GDP on marketing. The power and reach of marketing and advertising in our society is unquestionable.

Environment

#SeizeTheSnowDays: Subaru WinterFest Lifestyle Tour Celebrates Winter Adventure

Dec 27, 2016 9:00 AM ET

Subaru of America, Inc. has announced the start of Subaru WinterFest 2017, a one-of-a-kind, multi-city mountain destination and lifestyle tour for passionate winter warriors. Featuring fifteen stops across twelve resorts, skiers, snowboarders, winter enthusiasts and Subaru owners can enjoy live music, food and beverage, daily giveaways, gear demonstrations and more.

Events, Media & Communications

Atlas Copco Business Services Turkey Breathes New Life into a Year End Meeting

Dec 27, 2016 8:15 AM ET

ACBS Turkey gathered for a year end meeting in Antalya and the team proved once again that sustainability in an organizational spirit is provided by choosing the right people and it is what keeps people loyal and committed.