ESG News from Leading Brands

Sustainable Development Goals

Cleaning Our Oceans Begins on Land

Aug 24, 2018 2:00 PM ET

Whether beach strolling on the east coast of the United States or along Manila Bay, you can expect to see a sharp contrast between natural beauty and a spectacle of plastic waste. Sullied beaches are just one manifestation of an ecological crisis that continues to expand unabated as the hand-wringing and debate struggles to yield substantive commitments to address the waste challenge. Worldwide, 73 percent of beach litter is plastic, the ubiquitous material that benefits and harms our wellbeing in equal measures.

Energy

Duke Energy Linemen Win Regional Contest; Advance to International Lineman's Rodeo

Aug 24, 2018 1:00 PM ET

Fifteen Duke Energy apprentice and journeyman lineworkers from Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky earned the right to advance to the International Lineman's Rodeo in Bonner Springs, Kans., Oct. 12-13, after competing in the Duke Energy Midwest Lineman's Rodeo in Plainfield on Aug. 11.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Boosting Local Economies by Supporting Diverse Suppliers

Aug 24, 2018 12:50 PM ET

When World Wide Technology (WWT) first started reselling Dell computers in 1990, the minority-owned company had just seven employees in St. Louis. Today WWT is a global technology solution provider with $10.4 billion in annual revenue and more than 4,600 employees. And the company received the 2017 Dell EMC North America Partner of the Year Award.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Building More Resilient Communities | Taproot Foundation's Advisory Services Newsletter

Aug 24, 2018 12:30 PM ET

In this edition of the Advisory Services newsletter, we share examples of how pro bono can help communities around the globe prepare for natural disasters. We discuss how to engage even your busiest employees in pro bono service. And we look at a pro bono program model that began in the U.S. and has been replicated successfully abroad.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

You Can Change Your Workplace, Here Are Four Ways To Start

Aug 24, 2018 12:00 PM ET

A company’s decision to remove plastic straws from their kitchen doesn’t just affect their kitchen, it encourages straw production companies to come up with more environmentally friendly options and it cuts down on the company’s own footprint. Bacardi, for instance, has committed to using its platform to impact change within its own company and outside of it. With the launch of its #TheFutureDoesntSuck campaign the company aims to remove one billion single-use plastic straws by 2020 through a personal commitment to ban plastic straws at any Bacardi sponsored event, as well as a larger promise to curb unnecessary use of plastic in its supply chains. The company has promised to use its platform to spark collaborations that will promote environmental efforts across all industries.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Greening Financial Systems, from a UN Environment Perspective

Aug 24, 2018 12:00 PM ET

Erb alumnus Marcos Mancini is a country manager in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Inquiry into the Design of a Sustainable Financial System. He talked with Erb about the inquiry’s work and the sustainable finance issues involved.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

VIDEO: UNICEF and LIXIL to “Make a Splash” and Help Bring Sanitation to Children Around the World

Aug 24, 2018 11:30 AM ET

UNICEF, the world’s leading children’s organization, and LIXIL, a maker of pioneering water and housing products, are coming together in a new partnership to help vulnerable children gain access to safe and clean toilets.

The partnership, named “Make a Splash! Toilets for All”, will leverage the two organizations’ complementary strengths to support progress towards the Sustainable Development Goal of achieving access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all, and end open defecation by 2030.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Deloitte Named to Fortune’s Change the World List

Aug 24, 2018 11:25 AM ET

Fortune has named Deloitte to its prestigious 2018 "Change the World" list, a yearly ranking of top businesses that do well by doing good. The only professional services network to be listed, Deloitte is featured on this year’s list for its work to prepare clients and its people for the technological changes of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Diversity & Inclusion

Sysco Continues Building Diverse and Inclusive Culture as Part of 2025 Goals

Aug 24, 2018 11:05 AM ET

At Sysco, we strive to increase the diversity of our workforce, reflecting the communities we serve at every level of our organization.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Smithfield Foods Supports Mobile Food Pantry for Virginia Veterans

Aug 24, 2018 11:00 AM ET

The Smithfield Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Smithfield Foods, Inc., has once again donated $50,000 to the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank to support its Veterans Mobile Food Pantry at the VA Medical Center in Hampton, Virginia. This is the second consecutive year of the partnership, following last year’s donation which helped increase the number of meals served to veterans by almost 50 percent.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

INFOGRAPHIC | Whole Planet Foundation and Partners Making an Impact on Global Poverty

Aug 24, 2018 10:55 AM ET

Every quarter Whole Planet Foundation aggregates field metrics from our microfinance partners who are disbursing and collecting microcredit loans to people living in poverty.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Staying at the Forefront of Animal Well-Being

Aug 24, 2018 10:45 AM ET

This week, 15 experts in animal well-being and welfare from all over the world met to help guide the next chapter of Tyson Foods’ animal well-being journey. These esteemed veterinarians, scientists, culinary experts, and more contribute to a new roster and revitalized agenda for the TYSON FOODS ANIMAL WELL-BEING ADVISORY PANEL.

Environment

Consumers Energy: Saving Endangered Peregrine Falcons

Aug 24, 2018 10:40 AM ET

Social Impact & Volunteering

Cross-Sector Skill Sharing in Action

Aug 24, 2018 10:30 AM ET

Common Impact defines skill sharing as a two-way talent exchange where both pro bono professionals and their nonprofit partners are learning from each other. In my experience sourcing and supporting skilled service projects for our corporate and nonprofit clients, it is when our partners recognize the knowledge and expertise that they each bring to the table and seek to proactively learn from one another that real long-term change takes place. The change we see is not just for the communities we support, but also for the volunteers and nonprofit leaders participating in these skills-based volunteer projects.

Environment

Agroforestry Could Make Agriculture Emissions-Neutral by 2050

Aug 24, 2018 10:25 AM ET

Agroforestry is a major component of efforts to reduce the impact of climate change on farming. The practice of integrating trees into agriculture is a long tradition in most farming systems throughout the world. Agroforestry not only helps diversify farmers’ portfolios and spread risk but also provides environmental benefits that can only come from deep-rooted perennials, including sequestering carbon.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Cisco is #43 on Fortune's List of Businesses That Change the World

Aug 24, 2018 9:55 AM ET

Big enterprises are in the business of doing more for the world, and Cisco is leading the effort. Fortune's Change the World list features companies who are using their profit to change social problems. This year, Fortune ranked Cisco number 43 on the list, recognizing Cisco's Networking Academy as a change maker for more than a million students' lives.

Diversity & Inclusion

This Life With Gracie: Women Leaders Reignite Own Fire While Helping Girls Find Their Way

Aug 24, 2018 9:50 AM ET

Every Wednesday for eight weeks this summer, Ava Pittman rubbed elbows with some of the most successful and influential women Georgia has to offer. Cpl. Angela Florence at the Columbus Police Department. Kathy Bruer, owner of Belles & Beaus Etiquette & Manners and Aflac retiree. Teresa White, the first woman and African-American to hold the title of president at Aflac.

Events, Media & Communications

Cause-driven Changes in Taste and Attitudes are Disrupting the Food and Beverage Sector

Aug 24, 2018 9:45 AM ET

Consumers, especially millennials, are choosing smaller, newer food and drink brands marketed as more natural, healthier, and/or more local over traditional, bigger brands. These disruptor companies also tend to include eco-friendly factors— such as their environmental footprint and sustainable supply chains — in their practices and missions.

Events, Media & Communications

Dana Beckman, Director of Corporate Affairs at Alliance Data, Talks Women in Business

Aug 24, 2018 9:40 AM ET

Dana Beckman is the Director of Corporate Affairs for Alliance Data, a company that provides data-driven loyalty marketing solutions to FORTUNE 1,000 companies. Using her innate creativity and understanding of the company’s business goals, Dana has built a respected program at Alliance Data that is strategically aligned with the company’s mission and will invest $15 million in communities worldwide in 2018.

Sustainable Development Goals

Schneider Electric Joins Corporate Renewable Energy Buyers' Principles; Commits to Increasing Access to Renewable Energy

Aug 24, 2018 9:05 AM ET

Schneider Electric, the global specialist in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, announced it joined the Corporate Renewable Energy Buyers' Principles, an initiative made up of 76 companies seeking to spur progress on renewable energy and achieve their sustainable energy goals.

Environment

Sustainable Water Management: The Heart of Our Pulp and Paper Mills

Aug 24, 2018 9:05 AM ET

When people think of paper manufacturing, the first natural resource that comes to mind is probably trees. But water plays an equally important role in our industry. That’s why sustainable water management is one of our top priorities.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Xylem Partners with Manchester City Football Club

Aug 24, 2018 9:05 AM ET

Last month, Xylem partnered with Manchester City Football Team to work together in solving water. At one event, Xylem volunteers, along with coaches and players from Manchester City Football Club and the New York City Football Club, teamed up to support New York City’s city-wide efforts to promote youth soccer programs in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens. Almost 100 children between the ages of 7-13 enjoyed soccer training from professional coaches and participated in a water conservation program, which highlighted the importance of water conservation.

Sustainable Development Goals

USAID Awards Tetra Tech $650 Million Contract for Land Tenure and Natural Resource Management Services

Aug 24, 2018 9:00 AM ET

Tetra Tech, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTEK) announced today that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) awarded the Company a $650 million, multiple-award contract to develop innovative solutions to address land rights challenges around the world. Secure property rights provide a foundation for sustainable natural resource management, access to water resources, economic growth, and improved food security.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Member Weekend at Arbor Day Farm Reinvigorates the Arbor Day Foundation’s Mission

Aug 24, 2018 9:00 AM ET

This summer, the Arbor Day Foundation invited a select group of long-time Foundation members to enjoy a hosted stay at Lied Lodge & Conference Center at Arbor Day Farm in Nebraska City, Nebraska. Member weekend was an opportunity for our members to learn more about our programs and see our work come to life.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Rewiring Employment Systems: FSG’s Innovation Labs Now Accepting Applications

Aug 24, 2018 9:00 AM ET

Everyone’s talking about workforce, but do you have the tools and knowledge to access and support new sources of talent? Over the last year, FSG has been working to advance employer practice change through their Talent Rewire Innovation Lab program, which supports a wide range of employers to better recruit, retain, and support historically overlooked talent pools with an aim of improving the bottom line.