ESG News from Leading Brands

Social Impact & Volunteering

Avista Volunteers Package Meals During United Way Day of Action

Sep 22, 2017 12:00 PM ET

More than 60 Avista employees volunteered for the Spokane County United Way Day of Action in Spokane on Sept. 15 to Make a Meal for Many.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Supports Relief Efforts in Florida, Mexico and Puerto Rico

Sep 22, 2017 11:45 AM ET

The recent spate of natural disasters have left a trail of destruction across Florida, the Caribbean and Mexico. To urgently respond to these crises, the Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation is donating $400,000 to support emergency relief efforts in affected communities.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Voya Financial Chairman and CEO Presents Long-Term Perspective at CECP's CEO Investor Forum

Sep 22, 2017 11:40 AM ET

Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA), Chairman and CEO Rodney O. Martin, Jr.participated in CECP's second CEO Investor Forum on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017, to promote the integration of ESG performance into long-term business plans.

Education

Scaling What Works in #STEM

Sep 22, 2017 11:40 AM ET

The cover of National Geographic magazine’s March 2015 issue is framed in my home office. The image of a staged moon landing, and five short sentences challenging common known facts serve as the backdrop for an ominous title: “The War on Science.” In the excellent article “The Age of Disbelief,” Joel Achenbach and photographer Richard Barnes quote geophysicist Marcia McNutt, now president of the National Academies of Sciences, who said, “scientific thinking has to be taught and sometimes it is not taught well,” and that struck a chord.

Innovation & Technology

Ibero University Inaugurates Bloomberg Financial Lab

Sep 22, 2017 11:15 AM ET

Universidad Iberoamericana, one of the most prestigious universities in Mexico, and Bloomberg announced today the inauguration of a campus Bloomberg Financial Laboratory.

Social Impact & Volunteering

John Holm, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at PYXERA Global, to speak at NGO Expo on New Collaboration Model

Sep 22, 2017 11:15 AM ET

John Holm, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at PYXERA Global, to speak at NGO Expo on New Collaboration Models - John Holm, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at PYXERA Global, will be speaking with CSR leaders at the NGO Expo, a gathering on the coinciding with the United Nations General Assembly, on programs for social impact.

Sustainable Development Goals

UN Global Compact 2017 SDG Pioneers

Sep 22, 2017 11:05 AM ET

The United Nations Global Compact recognized 10 SDG Pioneers – individuals from around the world who are championing sustainability through their own companies and mobilizing the broader business community to take action in pursuit of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs). Six SDG Pioneers were recognized on stage during the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit 2017 on 21 September at the New York Hilton Midtown.

Environment

Tree Pittsburgh Receives “Net Zero” Sustainability Grant from Green Mountain Energy Sun Club

Sep 22, 2017 11:00 AM ET

The ambitious goal of achieving net zero energy status and LEED Platinum certification is becoming a reality for Tree Pittsburgh’s new campus thanks in large part to a $134,800 solar and sustainability grant from the Green Mountain Energy Sun Club.

Sustainable Development Goals

What Does Private Sector Need in Terms of an Enabling Environment to More Strategically Contribute to the SDGs?

Sep 22, 2017 11:00 AM ET

There is a common understanding that the active participation of business will be a principal driver in achieving the SDGs. But specific recommendations, capacity and practices enabling such contributions have yet to be fully developed in order to reach global recognition.

Green Infrastructure

Why High-Tech Highways Will Change the Way You Drive

Sep 22, 2017 10:30 AM ET

Drive Interstate 85 in Georgia and you may happen upon an area that looks a little different. You can roll over panels that are collecting energy from the sun, then pass over a sensor that instantly detects the air pressure in your tires.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Procter & Gamble Brings Relief to Residents Affected by Hurricane Irma with P&G Personal Care and Cleaning Kits and Tide Loads of Hope Laundry Services

Sep 22, 2017 10:25 AM ET

Health & Healthcare

High-Level UN Dialogue on Harnessing Africa's Demographic Dividend

Sep 22, 2017 10:05 AM ET

Today, at the United Nations, His Excellency Prof. Alpha Condé, President of Guinea and Chairperson of the African Union, convened a high-level meeting to strengthen the partnership with the private sector and discuss opportunities created by Africa’s demographic change. Bringing together African leaders, CEOs and other development partners, the event explored how smart investments in health, empowerment, education and employment can reduce vulnerability and support young people to reach their full potential.

Mabingue Ngom, Regional Director West and Central African Region UNFPA, highlighted that: “Such high-level dialogues further strengthen public-private partnership, which is required to attract increased private sector investment, thereby harnessing the demographic dividend in Africa

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Habitat for Humanity and Quicken Loans to Transform Three Communities in Second Annual Quicken Loans Neighborhoods Week

Sep 22, 2017 10:05 AM ET

Habitat for Humanity is again partnering with Quicken Loans in three cities across America during Quicken Loans Neighborhoods Week. Team members from the Quicken Loans Family of Companies will work alongside homeowners and residents to help strengthen their communities.

Continuing through October, activities will take place in Charlotte, Cleveland and Phoenix. The projects will include new home construction and home repairs in Cleveland and Phoenix, and a neighborhood garden project in Charlotte.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Wearing Hairnets and Big Grins, These Wisconsin Residents Are Packing Meals for Hurricane Harvey Victims

Sep 22, 2017 10:00 AM ET

When PepsiCo decided to provide one million meals to people affected by Hurricane Harvey in Southeast Texas, company leaders knew it would require many partners coming together — the PepsiCo Foundation, Food for Good, Frito-Lay, and multiple relief organizations.

Education

ACC graduate receives Consumers Energy Foundation Scholarship

Sep 22, 2017 9:30 AM ET

Brayden Bell, a 2017 graduate of Alpena Community College’s Utility Technician Program, was one of two recipients selected to receive a $2,500 Consumers Energy/Jeffrey Creel Memorial Scholarship. Bell used the scholarship to attend 10-week courses held at the Consumers Energy’s training center in Marshall.

Health & Healthcare

Aflac has Donated More Than $118 Million to Childhood Cancer

Sep 22, 2017 9:25 AM ET

Did you know Aflac entered the childhood cancer community 22 years ago? Aflac donated $3 million to sponsor the Aflac Cancer & Blood Disorders Center at what is now known as Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.

Research, Reports & Publications

Yale and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development Announce Collaboration to Improve Corporate Reporting

Sep 22, 2017 9:15 AM ET

Recognizing the critical role that private capital flows will play in moving society toward a more sustainable future, Yale University has launched the Yale Initiative on Sustainable Finance (YISF). This new academic effort will provide high-quality research on the flow of capital into sustainability-oriented projects and sustainable companies.

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.