ESG News from Leading Brands

Innovation & Technology

Human Rights Must be Front and Center for Artificial Intelligence, IoT, and Privacy

Feb 15, 2019 2:30 PM ET

Artificial intelligence and the internet of things have the potential to drive unprecedented productivity, reduce pollution, and improve human health. With the rollout of advanced, high speed wireless connectivity known as 5G in the next few years, the number of connected devices will explode: 28.5 billion devices are expected to be networked by 2022 growing to 300 billion connected devices and things by 2030.

Diversity & Inclusion

PNC Joins the Business Coalition for the Equality Act

Feb 15, 2019 12:30 PM ET

PNC has joined the Business Coalition for the Equality Act, a group of leading U.S. employers that support the Equality Act, federal legislation that would provide the same basic protections to members of the LGBTQ+ community as are provided to other protected groups under federal law.

Diversity & Inclusion

When You Realize, It’s Not Just You. – Shedding Light on Gender and Navigating Academia

Feb 15, 2019 12:05 PM ET

Or how two professors are bringing awareness and a voice to gender issues in higher education: Erb Staffer Carolyn Kwant talks with Sara Soderstrom, Asst. Professor, University of Michigan and Maria Farkas, Asst. Professor, Department of Management, Imperial College Business School.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Finance for Vulnerable Populations: Why Blockchain Might Be a Force for Good

Feb 15, 2019 12:00 PM ET

As is usually the case with disruptive new technology, blockchain comes with a lot of hype. While its best-known application, bitcoin, divides opinion and makes banks and governments nervous, the technology may have great potential to advance social good.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Duke Energy Earns EEI's ‘Emergency Recovery Award’ for Power Restoration Efforts in Carolinas After Hurricane Florence

Feb 15, 2019 11:25 AM ET

Duke Energy has received the Edison Electric Institute’s (EEI) “Emergency Recovery Award” for the company’s outstanding power restoration efforts after Hurricane Florence hit North Carolina and South Carolina in September 2018.

Diversity & Inclusion

Northern Trust Walk 'N Talk Encourages Employees to Meet Coworkers

Feb 15, 2019 11:10 AM ET

Health & Healthcare

Futurebuild Does Well Announcing New Strategic Partner for 2019

Feb 15, 2019 10:50 AM ET

Futurebuild is solidifying its commitment to putting well-being at the heart of buildings and communities by announcing the International WELL Building Institute™ (IWBI™) as a strategic partner for 2019. With IWBI as a strategic partner of Futurebuild and headline partner of the new-for-2019 Interiors Hub, the importance of designing for health and well-being will be central to the agenda, showcasing the latest research, case studies and practical design guidance.

Research, Reports & Publications

Schneider Sustainability Impact 2018-2020 Has Exceeded Its Target Score of 5/10 for 2018, Achieving 6.10/10

Feb 15, 2019 10:30 AM ET

For the fourth year, Schneider Electric, the leader in digital transformation of energy management and automation, announces its financial and non-financial results together for the fourth quarter of 2018. Each quarter, Schneider Electric publishes 21 indicators from the Schneider Sustainability Impact, measuring progress towards its ambitious sustainability commitments for 2018 to 2020, in line with the COP 21 and United Nations objectives. With a total score of 6.10 out of 10 at end-December 2018, the Group has exceeded its Schneider Sustainability Impact target of 5 out of 10 for the end of 2018.

Health & Healthcare

VIDEO | Aflac Delivers My Special Aflac Ducks™ to Pediatric Cancer Patients in Omaha

Feb 15, 2019 10:05 AM ET

This was a big day for our little robotic duck! Aflac was thrilled to deliver My Special Aflac Ducks™ to pediatric cancer patients at Children's Hospital & Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska. Seeing these brave children light up with joy and excitement is what makes these deliveries so special.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

How Purpose and Culture Are Driving Sustainable, Long-Term Growth and Profitability

Feb 15, 2019 9:30 AM ET

CEOs from institutional investor firms BlackRock and State Street released their annual guidance to companies on practices they “believe will drive sustainable, long-term growth, and profitability.” These letters were issued amidst widespread cynicism, both socially and economically, while anxious chatter continues about the role of business, capitalism, and strategic time horizons.

Diversity & Inclusion

5 Ways One Company Is Working to Boost the Health of the African-American Community

Feb 15, 2019 9:20 AM ET

In honor of Black History Month, learn how Johnson & Johnson has made it a mission to help address disparities in healthcare—from partnering with the Black AIDS Institute to reduce HIV infection rates to improving representation in clinical trials.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

CBRE Group, Inc. Earns Place on Barron’s 100 Most Sustainable Companies List

Feb 15, 2019 9:10 AM ET

CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBRE) was ranked #33 on Barron’s list of the 100 Most Sustainable Companies in the U.S. The list was based on analysis of the 1,000 largest publicly held companies by market value with headquarters in the U.S.

Social Impact & Volunteering

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation and KidsGardening Encourage Communities to Apply for Youth Garden Grant Funding

Feb 15, 2019 8:40 AM ET

As part of its Gro More Good commitment to connect 10 million children to the benefits of gardens by 2023, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation is encouraging schools and not-for-profit organizations across the country to apply for funding to support their youth garden programs. The Gro More Good Grassroots Grants initiative focuses its support on garden and greenspace projects that connect more children with the life-enhancing and transformative benefits of gardening.

Innovation & Technology

Powering the Sustainable Rise of the Greater Bay Area

Feb 15, 2019 8:30 AM ET

The Greater Bay Area is taking shape rapidly with the opening of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and the Express Rail Link. These milestone infrastructure projects are the key to a new era of super-connectivity that promises exciting new business opportunities for the region.

Part of the Greater Bay Area vision is to empower the development of smart cities with advanced energy systems enabled by digital technologies. To help make that vision a reality and guide business customers towards a greener and smarter future, CLP formed a joint venture in Shenzhen in 2018 with Beijing TUS-Clean Energy, a company affiliated to China’s prestigious Tsinghua University.

Environment

Southern California Edison Files 2019 Wildfire Mitigation Plan

Feb 15, 2019 7:30 AM ET

The proposal is the first of what will be an annual submission of a Wildfire Mitigation Plan required by Senate Bill 901, which was passed last year and serves as a first step toward addressing rapidly growing wildfire challenges in California.

Energy

National Grid Seeks Approval of Revolution Wind Contract in Rhode Island

Feb 15, 2019 7:30 AM ET

Revolution Wind will bring renewable, low-cost energy to National Grid’s Rhode Island customers and contribute to the state and Company’s shared goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.

Education

The Verizon Foundation Names 5g Edtech Challenge Winners and Awards a Total of $1m to Bring Classroom Solutions to Life

Feb 15, 2019 7:00 AM ET

The ten winning organizations will receive a total of $1 million and the winning teams will get access to Verizon’s 5G Labs and support from Verizon engineers and mentors to enhance their solutions.

Education

Ignite My Future in Schools 2019 Community Nights Kickoff

Feb 14, 2019 4:20 PM ET

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Discovery Education partnered in 2017 to develop a one-of-a-kind transdisciplinary approach to education that would transform the way students across America learn. The program, Ignite My Future in School (IMFIS), encourages students and educators nationwide to adapt computational thinking as foundational skill for 21st century success.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

P&G Sponsors Documentary on Extreme Poverty

Feb 14, 2019 3:40 PM ET

Procter & Gamble Co. is sponsoring a National Geographic television series on efforts to combat extreme poverty, which will include digital, social media and print components. The goal is to align P&G more closely with the concept of social responsibility.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Shawn Mendes Partners With eBay and Grammys for Charity

Feb 14, 2019 2:00 PM ET

Starting today, fans will have a chance to bid on Mendes’ VIP meet-and-greets at one of his upcoming concerts, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting the Grammy Museum and Musicares, the Recording Academy’s philanthropic arm.

Events, Media & Communications

Don’t Miss These 7 CSR & Sustainability Conferences in 2019

Feb 14, 2019 2:00 PM ET

Make time for professional development, remain on top of key CSR & sustainability trends and stay connected with your peers by attending these promising events.

Environment

Are B Corps the Future of Business OR Just Another “Elite Charade for Changing the World”?

Feb 14, 2019 1:40 PM ET

Having just read the book Winners Take All: The Elite Charade of Changing the World by former New York Times columnist, Anand Giridharadas, and mostly agreeing with it, I thought that it would be interesting to read a critique by Jay Coen Gilbert, the co founder of the movement for Certified B Corporations, which happened to fall into the crosshairs of Giridharadas’ criticism.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Lockheed Martin Employees Awarded for Excellence at BEYA STEM Conference

Feb 14, 2019 1:00 PM ET

Thirty-one Lockheed Martin employees were awarded for their excellence in science, technology and workforce innovation at the 2019 Black Engineer of the Year Award (BEYA) STEM Global Competitiveness Conference, February 7-9 in Washington D.C.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Expanding Sustainability Through Partnership

Feb 14, 2019 1:00 PM ET

It is a hot, dry August day, but Steve Lawler of the Mower Soil and Water Conservation District just made it rain 1 inch on the Krell family farm. On one small corner of the farm, anyway. He is demonstrating how different soil management techniques retain rainwater. If that sounds dry, it’s because the subtext is the interesting part — better rainwater retention means more nutrients stay in the soil. For farmers, that translates to better yields.

This demonstration is part of a Cedar River Watershed Partnership farm event, where a coalition of private, public and nonprofit groups addresses challenges to water resources in the Cedar River Watershed, like flooding and sedimentation.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Companies Of All Shapes & Sizes Invest In Community

Feb 14, 2019 12:45 PM ET

Amazing that the three questions that launched the LBG Model in 1992 remain top of mind, 26 years later. All industries, corporate structures, areas of focus and size.