ESG News from Leading Brands

Diversity & Inclusion

How I Became a Techie: Michael Sapos

May 5, 2017 1:10 PM ET

When I was a young boy, I spent hours, even days, playing with erector sets, which consisted of little metal beams, nuts, and bolts (and later, pulleys, gears, and small electric motors). Basically, you could construct anything your mind came up with, tear it apart, and create something new and completely different. And you didn’t have to make something stationery — with the little motors, you could create things like windmills or planes. I’ve built automobiles, towers, homes, and more.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Comcast NBCUniversal Honored Among NBIC Best Corporations for Inclusion

May 5, 2017 1:05 PM ET

Only companies achieving industry leading results across all diverse segments are eligible to receive the designation from the NBIC. At Comcast NBCUniversal, our commitment to diversity and inclusion reaches across our business and our culture. In addition to building a diverse and inclusive workforce, we are committed to creating opportunities for diverse businesses in our supply chain, creating programming that reflects our customers, and investing in non-profit organizations that strengthen our diverse communities.

Environment

Ingersoll Rand Locations Worldwide Participated in Earth Day Activities Demonstrating How They Put Sustainability in Action

May 5, 2017 12:15 PM ET

Ingersoll Rand employees joined more than one billion people around the globe to celebrate Earth Day on April 22, the largest civil observance in the world. This year, our facilities worldwide hosted local activities and encouraged all employees to put sustainability in action.

Education

GM, NWF Triple Their Reach in Driving Environment-Focused STEM Education

May 5, 2017 11:50 AM ET

General Motors and the National Wildlife Federation have now reached 11,800 children across the country in science, technology, engineering and math projects since launching their Eco-Green partnership in 2015. The program has tripled its reach over the last year.

Innovation & Technology

Arrow SAM Car | Always Forward

May 5, 2017 11:30 AM ET

Former INDYCAR drivers Sam Schmidt and Mario Andretti announced today they will go head to head in a race next month at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

RBSEU Makes 16 Year History – Paul Polman and Lise Kingo Join Summit

May 5, 2017 10:55 AM ET

Ethical Corporation has now surpassed the largest number of C-Suite speakers and attendees ever in its 16-year history at The Responsible Business Summit Europe.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

HP Receives 2017 ENERGY STAR® Award for Excellence in Energy-Efficient Product Design

May 5, 2017 10:45 AM ET

HP has received a 2017 ENERGY STAR® Award for Excellence in Energy-Efficient Product Design for its outstanding efforts to improve the availability of energy-efficient products in the marketplace. Excellence in Product Design is awarded to companies that demonstrate leadership in the design and manufacture of ENERGY STAR certified products.

Research, Reports & Publications

Bloomberg Publishes 2016 Impact Report

May 5, 2017 10:45 AM ET

Bloomberg published its eighth Impact Report, which highlights the integration of sustainability into our products, communities and operations, as well as the progress we’ve made towards our 2020 targets.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Whole Planet Foundation Funds New Partner in Ghana

May 5, 2017 10:30 AM ET

In April 2017, Whole Planet Foundation signed a contract with a new microfinance partner in greater Accra called ID Ghana. To gain insight into the bustling Makola market in Accra, it may be helpful to read this 2015 article in the New Yorker profiling Ghanaian business owners.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Atlas Copco USA’s Water for All Program Helps Navajo Special Education School Access Clean Water

May 5, 2017 10:30 AM ET

Energy

Microgrids Boost Energy Resilience and Independence at Military Installations

May 5, 2017 10:15 AM ET

The Department of Defense (DoD) has committed to deploying 3 gigawatts of renewable energy throughout military installations by 2025. Military bases all over the world have taken a proactive approach in achieving these goals, with many implementing solar photovoltaic (PV) generation. Energy initiatives aside, increased deployment of distributed energy resources (DERs) such as solar PV can integrate with comprehensive microgrid solutions that can help meet DoD goals and ultimately boost energy resilience and independence, especially vital for mission-critical facilities.

Green Infrastructure

Bechtel Engineers a New Sustainability Agenda

May 5, 2017 10:05 AM ET

GreenBiz editor in chief Joel Makower spoke with Tam Nguyen, the global head of sustainability for Bechtel. He lets us into the engineering firm's efforts around green infrastructure in the Philippines, the SDGs and building resilient communities.

Environment

Everglades Legislation Passes Florida House

May 5, 2017 10:00 AM ET

For more than a year, we have been beating the drum about the need to come up with a solution for the water problems of South Florida. Too much tainted water from Lake Okeechobee is being diverted down the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee Rivers, leading to big problems on both coasts. Last month, the Florida Senate passed an important bill that would fund the creation of a reservoir south of Okeechobee to store much of this excess water and relieve pressure on the rivers and their estuaries. Yesterday, the Florida House Passed the bill, as well, which means that we are one signature away from making this project a reality.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Aflac's Cause Marketing is Model for Companies That Seek Purpose with Profit

May 5, 2017 9:25 AM ET

Today on CauseTalk Radio, Megan and I talk to Buffy Swinehart, Senior Manager, Cause Marketing for Aflac, on the company's Duckprints campaign to fight childhood cancer.

Health & Healthcare

How Foundation Leaders Can Create Impact in the Uncertain U.S. Health Landscape

May 5, 2017 9:15 AM ET

What could changes in health care policy mean for the work of foundations focused on health?

Environment

Replenishing California’s Underground Savings Account for Future Droughts

May 5, 2017 9:05 AM ET

Sustainable Conservation and a diverse group of private- and public-sector leaders, including General Mills, joined forces to promote a creative way to boost water supplies in California that benefits farmers, local communities and the environment.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Lead the Way in Responsible Business

May 5, 2017 9:05 AM ET

The Responsible Business Awards are back for 2017 to celebrate and reward the leading sustainable and responsible businesses from around the globe. These global awards benchmark and celebrate the world’s leading CSR and sustainability initiatives.

Events, Media & Communications

Four-Time Grammy-Nominated Artist JEWEL Headlines INSPIRE, Presented by Sands Cares

May 5, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Symbolizing her own personal journey, Jewel’s upcoming performance at the Las Vegas Sands/Sands Cares INSPIRE event on May 19 is significant as much because of the artist’s transformative staying power over the past 20-plus years, as her message to the young people of the Marty Hennessy Inspiring Children Foundation, the first participant in the Sands Cares Accelerator Program, who will benefit from the event’s proceeds.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

$358,500 From Lockheed Martin Employees Support 29 Fort Worth-Area Non-Profit Agencies

May 5, 2017 8:55 AM ET

Lockheed Martin’s (NYSE: LMT) AERO Club, an employee-run charity, delivered grants totaling $358,500 to Fort Worth-area agencies primarily serving children, families, healthcare and social services. The AERO Club raises funds through an annual employee charity campaign and a board of Fort Worth-based employees work with local agencies to determine the best opportunities to allocate the donations.

Research, Reports & Publications

Botswana Businesses Benefit from De Beers Investment

May 5, 2017 8:00 AM ET

De Beers Group strengthened Botswana communities in 2016 through major investment in local goods and services, according to its latest Report to Society.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Nine Investor Insights on Transparency and Disclosure

May 4, 2017 6:15 PM ET

We've accumulated investor insights regarding sustainability transparency and disclosure in our new report, Nine Top Investor Takeaways from BIER. Key areas of emphasis include the importance of materiality, the future of reporting, and potential reporting fatigue. To learn more, download the full report.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Building Opportunities for All Through Comcast Cares Day

May 4, 2017 5:55 PM ET

On Saturday, April 22, more than 150 Comcast NBCUniversal and community volunteers banded together to build a fence around the site of a future three-acre park that will be available to kids of all abilities.

Environment

Mike Bloomberg & Carl Pope Talk Climate Change on Morning Joe

May 4, 2017 5:25 PM ET

Mike Bloomberg and Carl Pope talk about the significant advances made to address climate change on MSNBC's Morning Joe.

Health & Healthcare

Bringing Global Awareness to the Importance of Hand Hygiene on World Hand Hygiene Day

May 4, 2017 5:00 PM ET

May 5, 2017, marks the day that hospitals around the globe join the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to raise awareness for the importance of hand hygiene.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

General Motors Sustainability Newsletter - May 2017

May 4, 2017 5:00 PM ET

GM earned the 2017 EPA ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year — Sustained Excellence award for continued leadership in protecting the environment through superior energy efficiency.