ESG News from Leading Brands

Energy

170 Years of Lighting DC: How WGL Plans for a More Sustainable Future

Sep 22, 2017 9:15 AM ET

Few institutions in the nation’s capital are older than WGL Holdings. Its history dates back to 1848, the same year the Washington Monument’s construction began and 15 years before the U.S. Capitol’s iconic dome was completed. In fact, one of the company’s first projects (when it was known as Washington Gas) was to build a power plant that could reliably source and deliver gas necessary to light the Capitol’s dome. In addition, one of the chartered company’s most important missions was to ensure D.C.’s streets were safely lit at night. A decade after its founding, the company boasted 30 miles of gas mains, 500 street lights and 1,700 customers.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Smithfield Foods’ Helping Hungry Homes® and Albertsons Donate Nearly 40,000 Pounds of Protein to The Idaho Foodbank

Sep 22, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Last week, Smithfield Foods’ Helping Hungry Homes® initiative, a program focused on alleviating hunger and helping Americans become more food secure, joined forces with Albertsons to donate nearly 40,000 pounds of protein to The Idaho Foodbank. The donation, equivalent to nearly 160,000 servings, will help those fighting hunger in Idaho, where one in seven individuals is food insecure.

Green Infrastructure

Expert Interview With Tetra Tech's Alain Grenier, Project Management Expert

Sep 22, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Alain Grenier has nearly 40 years of project management experience and has been with Tetra Tech for nine years. He began his career as a network planner and procurement agent in a renowned telecommunications company. He dealt with thousands of power network-related procurement projects involving the supply of equipment, lines, and poles.

Sustainable Development Goals

Whirlpool Corporation Using Wind Energy to Power Plants, Education

Sep 22, 2017 8:55 AM ET

Whirlpool Corporation is growing its wind projects in the United States as part of its ongoing efforts to be more sustainable. After breaking ground on two new wind farms in late 2016, Whirlpool Corporation is on track to potentially be one of the largest users of on-site wind energy of any Fortune 500 company in the United States.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Climax Molybdenum Stowmarket, a Freeport-McMoRan Company, Wins International Award for Health and Safety

Sep 22, 2017 8:40 AM ET

The Climax Stowmarket plant in the United Kingdom is one of the world’s premier production and conversion facilities for ferromolybdenum. Climax Molybdenum Stowmarket has been awarded its fourth consecutive RoSPA Gold Achievement Award for excellence in safety performance, management systems and culture.

Media & Communications

Women of FOX Sports Hosts Tennis Icon Billie Jean King and Cast of ‘Battle of the Sexes’ for Panel on Gender Equality

Sep 22, 2017 8:15 AM ET

Tennis icon Billie Jean King, along with members of the cast and creative team behind Fox Searchlight’s new film Battle of the Sexes, met on the Fox Lot on September 15 for a panel discussion about gender equality and inclusion in professional sports and beyond. The film tells the story of King’s legendary 1973 tennis match against former men’s champion Bobby Riggs, a televised event that propelled women’s tennis onto the world stage.

Environment

Top 5 Nut Trees Sold Through Arbor Day Tree Nursery

Sep 22, 2017 8:00 AM ET

Are you considering adding nut trees or bushes to your yard? The secret to growing high-yielding nut trees is selecting the right tree for your hardiness zone and properly caring for it. Climate and soil play a key role in how much nuts a tree will produce. Proper pruning can also help nut trees bear more fruit.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Bacardi Limited Compromete $3 Millones En Ayuda Para Desastres

Sep 22, 2017 7:50 AM ET

Tras la devastación de los Huracanes Irma y Maria, además de los terremotos en México, la empresa Bacardi Limited y la familia Bacardí, comprometen US $3.000.000 para los esfuerzos de apoyo y recuperación en estas comunidades afectadas.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Bacardi Pledges $3 Million to Disaster Relief Assistance

Sep 22, 2017 7:50 AM ET

In the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricanes Irma and Maria, as well as the earthquakes in Mexico, Bacardi Limited and the Bacardí family commit US$3,000,000 for disaster relief and recovery efforts in the impacted areas.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Republic Services Announces Washington County Landfill World Class Landfill Recognition

Sep 21, 2017 7:40 PM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Albertsons Companies Hurricane Relief Fundraising Tops $8 Million. Company Donates Millions in Products and Pledges Continued Partnership with Affected Communities

Sep 21, 2017 6:30 PM ET

Albertsons Companies today reported that, in the span of 21 days, its generous customers and employees helped raise more than $8 million in disaster relief donations for the victims of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma through a point-of-sale campaign at its 2,300+ stores. The company also contributed millions of dollars in products to help people in Texas and Florida recover from the recent hurricanes. The Albertsons Companies Foundation matched the first $200,000 and was an early sponsor of the Hand in Hand telethon for disaster r

Events, Media & Communications

Take a CSR Course Online to Build Skills on Your Schedule

Sep 21, 2017 6:00 PM ET

Advance your career and develop essential CSR skills with online courses from the Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship. Enroll by Sept 22 and SAVE $200 on select courses!

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

CVS Health Announces Support for Critical Rebuilding Efforts Following Historic Hurricanes

Sep 21, 2017 5:00 PM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Bloomberg Global Business Forum: An Unprecedented Collaboration

Sep 21, 2017 4:20 PM ET

In the first-ever Bloomberg Global Business Forum, heads of state and global business leaders gathered for an unprecedented collaboration between government and the private sector. Speakers like Bill Clinton, Emmanuel Macron, Tim Cook and Justin Trudeau stressed the importance of sharing ideas in order to improve the world.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Stronger Global Relations Require Business Leadership

Sep 21, 2017 4:15 PM ET

As attention focuses on the UN General Assembly in New York, it’s important to remember that in a global economy, America’s relationship with the world does not depend solely on the state of politics along Pennsylvania Avenue. The ties that bind nations together today are deeply connected to trade and investment.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

PepsiCo Is Serving 1 Million Meals to Hurricane Victims. Here’s How They Made It Happen

Sep 21, 2017 4:00 PM ET

A Salvation Army truck pulled into the mobile home park at 520 Gulf Bank Rd. in Houston on the Wednesday after Labor Day. Situated in the Halls Bayou watershed, this community was hard-hit by Hurricane Harvey. The water had receded, but cleanup was just beginning.

Research, Reports & Publications

Investors Take Notice: Healthy Building Features Could Contribute to Corporate Financial Value

Sep 21, 2017 3:55 PM ET

Businesses, real estate professionals, and investors who are interested in increasing financial value should be taking strong interest in the healthy building movement, a new report by DelosTM reveals. The report, “Health, Well-being, and the Evolution of ESG,” explains that the promotion of employee health and well-being is emerging as a key new material element that investors should be demanding in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) corporate reporting.

Diversity & Inclusion

TCS is a Proud Sponsor of Oracle’s Inclusive Leadership Summit at OpenWorld

Sep 21, 2017 3:20 PM ET

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is proud to be the exclusive sponsor of Oracle’s Inclusive Leadership Summit where business leaders will share ideas on leadership, employee engagement, and fostering diversity and inclusion. At this invitation-only event, our own Dr. Ritu Anand and Balaji Ganapathy will share their experiences and insights on TCS' initiatives on workplace diversity, employee engagement, future ready talent, and others.

Education

The Challenges for Young People in the Americas

Sep 21, 2017 3:00 PM ET

Young people represent our future – inventors, entrepreneurs, educators, engineers, community leaders, executives. If we truly want to have a positive impact on future generations, we need to work together to address the challenges they are facing today.

Diversity & Inclusion

Spotlight: The Bellagio CSR Council

Sep 21, 2017 3:00 PM ET

For 15 consecutive years, Bellagio has earned the coveted AAA Five Diamond Award for its superior service in every element of guest operations. That dedication to excellence extends behind the scenes as well, with a team wholly focused on supporting the company’s CSR platform.

Sustainable Development Goals

Cruise Lines Step up to Protect Environment: ‘It’s Right Thing to Do’

Sep 21, 2017 2:30 PM ET

In Italy, kids are eating delicious and nutritious meals that were once surplus food prepared onboard ships for cruise passengers. In Miami, families in need are sleeping in comfortable beds with frames donated by cruise lines. At sea, cruise ships are assisting with ocean research and implementing and supporting recycling practices.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

ESG Investing: Giving Up Greenhouse Gases, Not Performance

Sep 21, 2017 2:25 PM ET

Investors do not have to give up returns when hedging their portfolios against climate risks. Strategies to reduce investments in companies that produce carbon emissions or fossil fuels themselves, the culprit of climate change, can be optimized to avoid unintended risks and closely track benchmarks.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Walmart Foundation Announces $565,000 Towards Mexico Earthquake Relief and Recovery

Sep 21, 2017 2:15 PM ET

In response to the recent 7.1 magnitude earthquake in Mexico, the Walmart Foundation has committed $565,000 (10 million pesos) to help organizations providing immediate recovery and relief. This commitment builds upon to the $2.2 million (40 million pesos) commitment of cash and 300 tons of product donations made by Walmart de México y Centroamérica to assist those in need.

Sustainable Development Goals

Breakthrough Approaches for Sustainable Cities

Sep 21, 2017 2:05 PM ET

As more and more of the world’s population is moving to cities, how do we ensure a healthy and sustainable setting for city dwellers – and for the businesses supporting these local economies? Mark Wallace from UPS shares findings from a recent UPS/GreenBiz study on sustainable urban logistics.

Events, Media & Communications

Earth Equity Advisors Fall Speaker Series

Sep 21, 2017 2:00 PM ET

The Ray C. Anderson Foundation is proud to sponsor the Earth Equity Advisors Fall Speaker Series event on 10/3 featuring Katharine Wilkinson of Project Drawdown and John Sutter of CNN.