ESG News from Leading Brands

Energy

Erb Institute | Business for Sustainability Director Joe Arvai - What is (and, is not) an Energy Strategy?

Sep 29, 2017 2:25 AM ET

When most people talk about energy strategies, they’re actually not talking about strategy at all. Oftentimes, narratives are about what companies and policy makers could or should be doing when it comes to energy transitions are framed as “strategy”. For example, I’ve heard people say that putting a price on carbon, or the need to transition to an electrified economy that does not depend upon fossil fuels, is an “energy strategy.”

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Nespresso to Showcase Key Partnership With the Rainforest Alliance on Coffee Sleeves

Sep 29, 2017 2:00 AM ET

Nespresso has announced the inclusion of the Rainforest Alliance Certified™ seal on all Nespresso permanent Grand Crus coffee sleeves to help build awareness of the AAA Sustainable Quality™ Program.

Energy

Republic Services and Soltage Host Ribbon Cutting Dedication to Celebrate the Activation of a Major Solar Project Capable of Powering 1,900 Local Homes

Sep 28, 2017 7:10 PM ET

Republic Services and renewable energy company Soltage today celebrated the activation of a 13.5 megawatt solar energy project constructed on three former landfill sites, or brownfields, in Massachusetts. Based on preliminary estimates, the project is expected to produce enough electricity to power 1,900 local households. When complete, the project will be comprised of 41,000 solar panels that will provide electricity for Massachusetts municipalities. These solar farms, located in East Bridgewater, Plainville and Randolph, are also expected to reduce carbon emissions by more than 14,000 tons, which is the equivalent of removing the impact of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from almost 2,000 homes.

Research, Reports & Publications

Stockland Releases Its 2017 Annual Review and Sustainability Reporting

Sep 28, 2017 7:00 PM ET

Stockland has released its FY17 Annual Review and Sustainability Reporting, which highlight its continued leadership and ongoing achievements in sustainability.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

HanesBrands Donates Additional Underwear And Activewear to Assist Hurricane Victims in Florida and Puerto Rico

Sep 28, 2017 5:50 PM ET

HanesBrands announced today that it is donating more than 1 million items of underwear and activewear to assist hurricane victims in Florida and Puerto Rico and is using its operations in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic to supply essentials to Puerto Rico employees.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Aramark Celebrates and Honors Extraordinary Associates Around the Globe

Sep 28, 2017 5:00 PM ET

Two hundred of Aramark’s outstanding team members from around the world have been named to the company’s Ring of Stars, and will be recognized during an exclusive celebration in October.

Social Impact & Volunteering

UPS Mobilizes Worldwide Workforce for 15th Annual Global Volunteer Month

Sep 28, 2017 4:50 PM ET

For the 15th straight year, UPS employees are participating in Global Volunteer Month across five continents. UPS estimates employees will donate 335,000 volunteer hours in October to 240 community service events taking place across North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia Pacific and Indian subcontinent, Middle East and Africa (ISMEA). The Global Volunteer Month volunteer hours will help UPS reach 2.15 million volunteer hours in 2017. At the end of Global Volunteer Month each year, UPS awards $10,000 grants to 14 non-profit organizations UPS employees volunteer at in each U.S. region, international region and business unit.

Diversity & Inclusion

Creating and Reinforcing a Culture of Inclusion

Sep 28, 2017 4:25 PM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Walmart Announces $5 million Commitment for Hurricane Maria Relief

Sep 28, 2017 4:15 PM ET

Walmart has committed $5 million in support of Hurricane Maria relief efforts. This builds on the commitments previously announced by Walmart and the Walmart Foundation totaling $35 million to support 2017 hurricane assistance in response to Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma.

Environment

Timberland Speaks on Climate Week Panel That Heralds Optimism As the Way to Shift From Climate Crisis to Broadly Adopted Solutions

Sep 28, 2017 4:00 PM ET

At last week’s Climate Week in New York City, I participated in a unique panel discussion entitled: Can business help take back our climate to be fit for life again? And how? Held at the Flanders House, the cross-sector panel was organized by CO2logic, Connect4Climate, The General Delegation of the Government of Flanders to the U.S.A., IFC (World Bank Group), and the New York City chapter of the International Society of Sustainability Professionals.

Events, Media & Communications

Cone Communications Executives Speak at PRSA International Conference

Sep 28, 2017 4:00 PM ET

Cone Communications executives will be joining public relations industry experts as speakers at this year’s PRSA International Conference taking place October 8-10. Cone will help facilitate conversations on the topics of corporate social responsibility (CSR), the role of data in measurement and analytics as well as career planning at the three-day conference in Boston.

Events, Media & Communications

CSR Expert Whitney Dailey Joins Plenary Panel at COMMIT!Forum

Sep 28, 2017 4:00 PM ET

Whitney Dailey, Director of Marketing/Research & Insights at Cone Communications will join corporate social responsibility (CSR) experts as a speaker at COMMIT!Forum on October 11-12. The two-day event will explore the role of the corporate social responsibility practitioner as companies make their voices heard.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Fighting Hunger With Pro Bono, Part 3

Sep 28, 2017 3:15 PM ET

September is Hunger Action Month. A month to take action, spread the word, and dedicate ourselves to ending hunger. In honor of this month, and as part of our hunger initiative--Accelerate Change--Taproot is releasing inspiring stories of pro bono making an impact. Thanks to support from Alliance to End Hunger, we're showcasing how three organizations are taking advantage of expertise to do everything from effectively providing healthy meals and expanding access to fresh food, to increasing the promotion of regional food distribution, education, and advocacy to those who need it.

Energy

National Grid’s Service Territory Tops Energy Efficiency Ranking

Sep 28, 2017 3:00 PM ET

Once again, the three states across National Grid’s service area — Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New York — are all ranked among the top ten for energy efficiency. The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) today released its 2017 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard:

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

LA Galaxy to Celebrate Pediatric Cancer Awareness Night After Month-Long Support of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Sep 28, 2017 2:00 PM ET

AEG’s LA Galaxy will celebrate Pediatric Cancer Awareness Night Saturday, Sept. 30 at StubHub Center when the team hosts Real Salt Lake (7:30 p.m. PT; Spectrum SportsNet, Spectrum Deportes), honoring the Make-A-Wish® Greater Los Angeles as the official Community Partner of the Match. The match, presented by Dannon, during Pediatric Cancer Awareness Night will culminate a month of support from the LA Galaxy, in conjunction with MLS WORKS, of the 4th annual Kick Childhood Cancer Campaign, which encourages fans to “Go Gold” to raise awareness and funds during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Scotiabank Again Recognized as Leader in Aboriginal Relations

Sep 28, 2017 1:30 PM ET

Scotiabank has once again been recognized by the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) for its positive relationship with Canada's Aboriginal community.

Health & Healthcare

When It Comes to Food Safety, It’s All About Education

Sep 28, 2017 1:15 PM ET

For those of us in food service, safety is the number one priority. Yes, we also love to serve healthy, delicious and creative cuisine. But when it comes right down to it: we have to start with safety.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Boeing Donates Additional $1 Million to Assist Hurricane Recovery and Relief Efforts

Sep 28, 2017 12:00 PM ET

Boeing [NYSE: BA] and The Boeing Charitable Trust are committing an additional $1 million to assist with hurricane disaster relief in areas affected by Hurricanes Irma and Maria, the company announced today.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Team Barclays | A Day for Superheroes

Sep 28, 2017 11:35 AM ET

Team Barclays had a grand day out at this year’s Superhero Tri. We talk to partially sighted cyclist Laura Turner and Tracy Cox-Smyth, who volunteers as a “buddy” for disabled athletes , about winning the competition to compete in the inclusive sporting event alongside Paralympian David Weir – and going on to win the race.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

JetBlue Launches 100x35JetBlue, an Immediate and Long-Term Commitment to Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief

Sep 28, 2017 11:05 AM ET

JetBlue, the largest airline in Puerto Rico, today announced a multifaceted program to support both short-term relief and long-term recovery efforts on the island following the destruction from Hurricane Maria. 100x35JetBlue outlines the airline’s commitment to launching 35 initiatives over the next 100 days – and beyond – to support the needs of crewmembers, customers, and communities in Puerto Rico.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

PANDORA’s LEED Gold Certified Facility

Sep 28, 2017 11:00 AM ET

The facility has been accredited with the Gold certification within Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design (LEED). LEED is a set of green building criteria established by the US Green Building Council (USGBC) as guidelines for environmentally friendly building design and construction.

Education

Millennial Uses Technology to Connect Students, Communities Across the Globe

Sep 28, 2017 11:00 AM ET

Picture a student in science class, seated at a desk, her computer on. The student isn’t writing a paper about her studies or reading class materials, according to Akash Patel. She is interacting with students halfway around the world in Australia, touring their classroom, hearing about what their science quiz will cover that week. The child, from her desk in America’s heartland, is experiencing a world she may never get to travel to – but because of the World Experiences Foundation, she’s learning from it.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Case Study: GRI & Switzerland Fostering Responsible Growth in Emerging Markets

Sep 28, 2017 11:00 AM ET

Together with the Swiss Confederation, GRI helps small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in emerging markets improve their sustainability performance through high-quality reporting. By showcasing responsible business practices through reporting, SMEs can gain access to international value chains, and contribute to economic development in their countries in a way that creates wealth and well-being across all segments of society.

Health & Healthcare

Living With Hypertension in Cameroon When You Live on Only a Few Dollars a Day

Sep 28, 2017 10:30 AM ET

This month like the previous ones, Alvine Nyintché is visiting the Etoug-Ebe Baptist Hospital in Yaounde. Aged 50, Alvine has been diagnosed with high blood pressure seven years ago.

Environment

CITGO Awards Grants for Restoration Programs in Celebration of National Estuaries Week

Sep 28, 2017 10:30 AM ET

For the third year in a row, CITGO Petroleum Corporation has awarded eight grants to local government agencies and nonprofits in celebration of National Estuaries Week, which took place Sept. 16-23. Through a partnership between CITGO and Restore America’s Estuaries (RAE), each grant will fund the organization’s restoration programs, environmental clean-ups, tree plantings and educational events.