ESG News from Leading Brands

Diversity & Inclusion

Suppliers Stir Up Fresh Perspectives

Sep 29, 2017 9:35 AM ET

Variety isn’t merely the spice of life — it’s also healthy for our business. Every day across Comcast NBCUniversal, our thousands of suppliers with diverse ethnic, cultural, and experiential backgrounds contribute unique perspectives that help us better serve customers and viewers.

We continually invest in creating new and greater opportunities for diverse-owned companies to work with us. In 2016, Comcast NBCUniversal’s spending with diverse suppliers topped $3 billion, and we participated in more than 100 national, regional, and local supplier diversity outreach events across our footprint.

Energy

Pentair Pool Owners Surpass 12 Billion Kilowatt Hours Saved With Energy Efficient Pool Pumps

Sep 29, 2017 9:30 AM ET

With the close of the summer pool season, global water company Pentair has surpassed energy savings of 12.7 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) since 2005 with its energy efficient pool pumps—helping pool owners save $1.4 billion in energy costs and conserve enough energy to power 1.3 million U.S. homes for one year.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Carlsberg Aims to Produce Beer with Renewable Energy

Sep 29, 2017 9:30 AM ET

When someone takes a swig from their favorite beer, they may not realize that brewing beer is an energy intensive process. But brewing companies that desire to reduce their carbon emissions are well aware. Carlsberg Group, a global brewer headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, has set a lofty goal of powering its breweries with only renewable energy by 2022. Call it the company’s "100 percent renewables by 2022 goal."

The 170 year-old company has a new program called Together Towards Zero, launched this summer. The program is a means to meet its pledge to achieve zero carbon emissions at its breweries by 2030. By that same year, Carlsberg aims to have reduced the carbon footprint of putting a beer in its customers' hands by 30 percent.

Sustainable Development Goals

How to Power a Sustainable Future: The Latest Version of UN Global Sustainability Yearbook

Sep 29, 2017 9:25 AM ET

Are you part of the energy (r)evolution? Get connected with Global Sustain’s annual yearbook, which includes contributions from leading orgs — UN Conference on Trade and Development, Stanford University, World Energy Council, and others.

Health & Healthcare

What Would a Foodborne Illness Cost Your Business?

Sep 29, 2017 9:20 AM ET

Foodservice Consultant is the multiple award-winning quarterly magazines from Foodservice Consultants Society International (FCSI), the premier global member body for hospitality and foodservice professionals.

Education

Weatherford Families Celebrate Fun Day of STEM Activities in Ukraine

Sep 29, 2017 9:00 AM ET

This year, Weatherford marks 10 years serving the Ukrainian market. In celebration, the company hosted its employees and their families for a day of fun and learning. Weatherford is committed to enriching the communities in which it operates. This commitment to sustainability includes not only safeguarding the well-being of employees, but also inspiring the next generation to explore science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) so that they might one day follow in their parents’ footsteps with a career in energy.

Diversity & Inclusion

American Banker Names PNC’s Karen Larrimer and Diana Reid to 2017 Most Powerful Women in Banking List

Sep 29, 2017 8:35 AM ET

The Most Powerful Women in Banking are reshaping not only their institutions, but also their industry.

Environment

TreesCharlotte and NASCAR Green Host Community Tree Planting in Celebration of NeighborWoods® Month

Sep 29, 2017 8:00 AM ET

Trees Charlotte, a member of the Arbor Day Foundation’s Alliance for Community Trees program, is partnering with NASCAR Green to plant 66 trees at the CharMeck Police Memorial Garden in the Nevin Community Park (6000 Statesville Road). The planting will take place on October 6, 2017 from 9:00–11:30 a.m. The community event is made possible with the support of NASCAR Green and is part of NeighborWoods Month, a national celebration of communities and trees.

Health & Healthcare

World Heart Day 2017 – a Global Vision for Healthy Hearts

Sep 29, 2017 4:00 AM ET

Cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, account for nearly half of the world’s deaths from non-communicable diseases (NCDs). With almost 75% of NCD deaths occurring in LMICs, the Novartis Foundation recognizes the importance of World Heart Day in raising awareness of cardiovascular disease and promoting good heart health globally.

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.