ESG News from Leading Brands

Diversity & Inclusion

Innovators @ Qualcomm: Vicki Mealer-Burke on How Qualcomm is Breaking Down Barriers

Sep 26, 2017 11:05 AM ET

In a new series we’re calling Innovators @ Qualcomm, or IQ, we’ll get to know some of these talented people. Our first profile is of Vicki Mealer-Burke whose job it is to make sure each and every one of Qualcomm’s employees has a voice. A 20-year veteran of the company, Mealer-Burke has held a variety of positions in several different divisions, from product management to business development to operational leadership and general manager of an emerging business unit. She’s relying on that business acumen — and her empathetic nature — to navigate what is perhaps her most important role to date: chief diversity officer.

Research, Reports & Publications

Bacardi Corporate Responsibility Efforts Highlighted in 2017 Report

Sep 26, 2017 11:00 AM ET

Bacardi focuses its award-winning CR efforts in five priority areas: 1) Marketplace (Alcohol Responsibility & Responsible Marketing); 2) Environment; 3) Responsible Sourcing; 4) People; and 5) Philanthropy & Community Investment. The 2017 CR Report details examples within these categories that employees carried out across the globe and highlights the company’s progress against the Beer, Wine, and Spirits Producers’ Commitments to Reduce Harmful Drinking, the Good Spirited environmental sustainability initiative goals, and the Bacardi commitment to support communities where we live and work.

Events, Media & Communications

Centering on Business and Government Collaboration, Michael R. Bloomberg Convenes Heads of State and International CEOs at Inaugural Forum Providing a New Platform to Connect Public and Private Sectors From Across the World in New York City

Sep 26, 2017 10:55 AM ET

Today, world and business leaders from every region, including more than 50 heads of state and 250 international CEOs, joined Michael R. Bloomberg for the inaugural Global Business Forum, to discuss innovative and collaborative ways to solve challenges and explore new opportunities to global economic growth.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Common Impact and John Hancock Launch Inaugural Skills-Based Flash Consulting Event

Sep 26, 2017 10:45 AM ET

Common Impact, a nonprofit that pioneered corporate skills-based volunteering, teamed up with longtime partner John Hancock to design its inaugural skills-based flash consulting event in Boston. Structured as a team-based, flash consulting event, John Hancock matched teams of volunteers with five local nonprofit organizations dedicated to developing youth in low-income communities to support projects focused on technology and data, two critical areas of need for nonprofits.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Announces 2017 Russell E. Train Fellowship Winners

Sep 26, 2017 10:40 AM ET

Today, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) announced the recipients of the 2017 Russell E. Train Fellowship. Funded by WWF’s Russell E. Train Education for Nature Program (EFN), Train Fellows pursue their graduate degrees in conservation-related fields anywhere in the world and then return to their home countries to conduct their research.

Diversity & Inclusion

SC Johnson Only Wisconsin-Based Company Named to Working Mother Magazine’s 100 Best Companies List

Sep 26, 2017 10:30 AM ET

For the 29th year, SC Johnson has been named to Working Mother magazine’s list of 100 Best Companies. Today, the only Wisconsin-based company on the 2017 list announced that it is again being recognized for its programs and benefits that support working parents including paid family leave, schedule flexibility and advancement of women.

Health & Healthcare

Novartis Foundation Announces IntraHealth and PATH As Latest Better Hearts Better Cities Partners in Dakar, Senegal

Sep 26, 2017 10:20 AM ET

The Novartis Foundation is pleased to announce IntraHealth International and PATH as local implementation partners for the Better Hearts Better Cities initiative in Dakar, Senegal.

Health & Healthcare

Domtar Sustainability: Personal Caring at Domtar Personal Care

Sep 26, 2017 10:15 AM ET

Gwendolyn McNuckles volunteered to serve as a “Wellness Champion” out of concern for her health and that of her colleagues at Domtar’s personal care manufacturing facility in Waco, Texas.

"My co-workers were suffering bouts of diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma and other ailments,’’ said Gwendolyn. ‘‘Many were severely overweight, including myself. Something had to be done.’’

Research, Reports & Publications

Making the Case for Health: Insights from the First WELL Projects

Sep 26, 2017 10:05 AM ET

With a handful of WELL-certified projects now in operation and hundreds in the certification pipeline, real estate owners and developers are starting to take a hard look at the business case for healthy building certification. From these first few projects, it is clear that this business case is still developing, but it will look a lot different than the one that has driven the green building certification movement to date.

Events, Media & Communications

Opioid Crisis Becomes Corporate Responsibility Issue

Sep 26, 2017 10:00 AM ET

The heroin overdose death of an employee’s son and pleas for help from Maryland’s governor prompted the CEO of a multibillion-dollar defense contractor to join the fight against opioid abuse. Now the corporate leader wants help from other big businesses.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Video: GRI – Driving Global Change Since 1997

Sep 26, 2017 10:00 AM ET

GRI is celebrating its first 20 years of helping companies and other organizations take action to create a more sustainable and inclusive global economy. Watch this video to learn more about the impact GRI has had over the past two decades.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Whirlpool Learns to 'Pack Away Hunger'

Sep 26, 2017 9:55 AM ET

Whirlpool Corporation employees used a unique assembly line model to help non-profit organization Pack Away Hunger efficiently assemble thousands of servings of food for families in need.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

2017 Nickterns Spruce Up California Boys & Girls Club

Sep 26, 2017 9:45 AM ET

The summer 2017 Nicktern class united to create a mural at the Boys & Girls Club of Burbank and Greater East Valley. The mural, which is one of their largest to date, covers more than 300 square feet and employs a number of Boys & Girls Club themes.

Sustainable Development Goals

Watch This Woman Turn Design Ideas Into Beautiful Wooden Sculptures and a Successful Business

Sep 26, 2017 9:40 AM ET

In 2015, Zina Ouled Si Ali launched her small business, Arjouan, a computer numerical control (CNC) engraving and cutting workshop that offers customized decoration articles and tailor-made furniture to its customers.

Research, Reports & Publications

The Reporting Exchange Launches Today: The Global Resource for Corporate Sustainability Reporting

Sep 26, 2017 9:15 AM ET

Today, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) launched the Reporting Exchange - the single most up to date and comprehensive source of information on sustainability reporting requirements and resources currently available.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

A Day of Giving with United Way of New York City

Sep 26, 2017 9:05 AM ET

Research, Reports & Publications

American Express Aligns Its CSR Efforts Toward Its North Star, Service

Sep 26, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Today, American Express published its latest corporate social responsibility (CSR) report, titled “The Service Effect.” The report describes how service has shaped the company’s efforts to honor and strengthen its commitments to all stakeholders – specifically its people, customers, partners, communities and the environment – in 2016 and 2017.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Nominates Albertsons Companies as Finalist for 2017 Corporate Citizenship Awards

Sep 26, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Albertsons Companies has a long history of helping cities recover from disasters, such as the recent hurricanes that hit Texas and Florida. In recognition of this commitment, Albertsons Companies was nominated as a finalist for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation's Corporate Citizenship Awards for its disaster relief and outreach efforts during Louisiana's devastating floods last year. The Corporate Citizenship winners will be announced in November 2017.

Diversity & Inclusion

Inclusion Remains a Top Priority for Today’s Evolving Workforce, Says New Deloitte – Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative Report

Sep 26, 2017 9:00 AM ET

As today’s workforce continues to evolve, professionals across generations cite inclusion as a key factor in determining whether they join, stay, or leave an organization.

Environment

New TD Bank Group Report Uncovers Canadians’ Perceptions About Community Green Spaces

Sep 26, 2017 8:30 AM ET

According to the new TD GreenSights Report, the majority of Canadians ( 95 per cent) believe that access to community green space will be important to their quality of life in the future. However, there is room for improvement: three-quarters (77 per cent) say the green space closest to their home could be better.

Social Impact & Volunteering

'The Stronger the Language, the Stronger the Culture': Working With the Osage Nation to Preserve Their Heritage

Sep 26, 2017 7:00 AM ET

In 2008, the Osage Nation became the first U.S. Tribal group to partner with TransCanada as we began consultation on the Keystone Pipeline System, which has now safely transported energy for over six years. Since then, we have continued to collaborate with the Osage on initiatives such as the cultural preservation programs.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

SC Johnson Leads by Example with Asia Pacific’s First Major Ingredient Transparency Initiative

Sep 25, 2017 7:00 PM ET

Today, SC Johnson expands its industry-leading global ingredient transparency program across Asia Pacific. Breaking down a barrier between companies and consumers, this expansion gives another 4 billion people unparalleled access to a comprehensive list of product ingredients for such iconic brands as Baygon®, Glade®, Mr Muscle® and Raid®.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

The US Government-in-Exile Has a New President

Sep 25, 2017 5:35 PM ET

The annual Manhattan conference hosted for a decade by the Clinton Global Initiative became a kind of shorthand for what some hated about the Clintons: a mix of worthy and venal motives, a slosh of money and shady rich people around their world, and flashy and enduring relationships with autocrats in the Gulf.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

First Lady of North Carolina Kristin Cooper Joins United Health Foundation and Whole Kids Foundation to Award 22 Garden Grants to North Carolina Schools and YMCAs

Sep 25, 2017 5:00 PM ET

First lady of North Carolina Kristin Cooper joined United Health Foundation and Whole Kids Foundation today to award 22 grants totaling $44,000 to schools and YMCAs statewide.

Environment

Newmont Engages Stakeholders for Improved Watershed Management

Sep 25, 2017 4:35 PM ET

As part of the Newmont water management strategy, regions are completing evaluations of their watershed to develop methodology that are in line with the ICMM guidelines on Catchment based water management for the mining and metals industry. These guidelines were developed to help with examining activities and issues within the entire watershed, taking into account hydrology and land use as well as the broader political, economic, social and ecological dynamics.