ESG News from Leading Brands

Sustainable Development Goals

This Week: Releasing Business Reporting on the SDGs: An Analysis of the Goals and Targets

Sep 18, 2017 10:00 AM ET

On 21 September, GRI and the UN Global Compact will launch the first outcome publication of their groundbreaking Action Platform for Business Reporting on the SDGs. The publication, An Analysis of the Goals and Targets, demystifies the esoteric world of sustainability disclosures for companies seeking to report their impact on the SDGs.​

Sustainable Development Goals

Vast Majority of CEOs Are Personally Involved in Advancing Sustainable Business and SDGs Are a Top Priority

Sep 18, 2017 10:00 AM ET

The United Nations Global Compact will release its 2017 Progress Report today. The report includes findings from a 2017 survey of the 9,500 companies participating in the UN Global Compact, showing how businesses are embedding the Ten Principles in their operations to align with the universal values of the UN and detailing how businesses are contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Gildan Organizes an Annual Entrepreneurship Fair in Honduras to Promote Employee Businesses

Sep 18, 2017 10:00 AM ET

In line with one of the Company’s core values ‘We Act Like Entrepreneurs’, Gildan encourages its employees in their entrepreneurial activities outside of the workplace by hosting an annual fair which offers them a forum to promote their businesses.

Health & Healthcare

Spurring Nutrition for Children in India

Sep 18, 2017 9:45 AM ET

General Mills works to advance nutrition wellness in India through unique partnerships with global and local nonprofits, starting with the country’s school meal programs. For school children, a nourishing daily meal can make a remarkable difference.

Health & Healthcare

This Duck Goes Gold for Kids With Cancer

Sep 18, 2017 9:15 AM ET

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

C-Suite Support Plays Integral Role in Corporate Social Responsibility

Sep 18, 2017 9:05 AM ET

A company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) program says a lot about its business values. In today’s business world, companies are judged not just by the quality of products and services they offer but how willing they are to invest in the communities they call home, and how engaged both their workforce is in demonstrating those values.

Environment

Denali Delight: Summerfest in the Park Was a Mountain of Fun

Sep 18, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Subaru is sponsoring a Zero Landfill Initiative in the Denali Borough, and a group of local teen ambassadors were on hand to share information and recycled bags with signers of the pledge. They are spearheading the effort in local schools and sharing recycling information with the community.

Environment

Xylem Watermark Volunteers Educate Children About Water Access and Conservation in Dubai

Sep 18, 2017 9:00 AM ET

This event consisted of five different activities for the children, teaching them about their water footprint, informing them of the challenges to water access in developing countries, and inspiring conservation efforts. More than 100 children participated in the day’s activities.

Innovation & Technology

Nick Welz Ensures Tetra Tech Is at the Forefront of the Energy World

Sep 18, 2017 9:00 AM ET

As part of our Leading with Science® campaign, we asked our employees to reflect on how they incorporate the latest science and technology into their work at Tetra Tech.

Media & Communications

Business Fights Poverty Announces Appointment of Global Engagement and Partnerships Director

Sep 18, 2017 7:30 AM ET

Business Fights Poverty, the leading global collaboration platform for international businesses seeking to harness and scale their social impact today announced the appointment of Euan Wilmshurst as Director, Global Engagement and Partnerships.

Environment

General Mills Works to Protect Pollinators

Sep 17, 2017 9:05 AM ET

Could you do your job if you were kicked out your house, had no food, and under constant attack by parasites and poisons? Not likely. But this is what life is like for many species of bees and other insects who pollinate our crops and help grow one-third of the global food supply.

Sustainable Development Goals

How to Align Your Citizenship Strategy With the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Sep 16, 2017 9:05 AM ET

It’s been about two years since the SDGs were adopted as a part of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In the time since, leading corporate citizens have begun to tackle the challenge of aligning their citizenship work to the SDGs.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

De Beers Employees Ride in to Help Street Children

Sep 15, 2017 9:30 PM ET

Fortune Kutumela and Louis Mashinye saw the children while the pair were out on their motorbikes and were deeply touched by the conditions they were living in.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

2017 Marvin Miller Man of the Year Nominees Showcase Diverse Community Commitment

Sep 15, 2017 8:30 PM ET

The 30 Major League Baseball players nominated by their teammates for the 2017 Marvin Miller Man of the Year award showcase the diverse range of causes, commitments and creative approaches to community service taken by the current crop of big leaguers.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

LA Galaxy Foundation Teams Up with Playworks to Support Healthy Play in Southern California

Sep 15, 2017 7:30 PM ET

AEG’s LA Galaxy Foundation has formed a new partnership with Playworks to support programming in Southern California schools during the 2017-18 school year. As part of the partnership, the LA Galaxy will donate adidas LA Galaxy jerseys to youth in the Playworks soccer program. Playworks, a nonprofit promoting the power of play for children before, during and after school, serves more than 40,000 children in 64 schools across Southern California.

Events, Media & Communications

Introduction to LBG Canada Webinar Announced

Sep 15, 2017 5:45 PM ET

LBG Canada is a network of professionals guiding social investment, corporate social responsibility and community engagement programs on behalf of Canada's leading companies.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

The UPS Foundation Extends Relief Network to Florida, Pledges More Than $1 Million in Additional Support

Sep 15, 2017 5:00 PM ET

UPS (NYSE:UPS) announced more than a $1 million commitment, through The UPS Foundation, in support of recovery efforts in the Caribbean, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, following the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma. The pledge is a combination of cash grants, in-kind transportation movements and technical expertise to provide urgent relief, as well as support for long-term needs ranging from rebuilding to personal and financial recovery assistance. This is in addition to the more than $1 million given toward Hurricane Harvey relief efforts on August 28.

Diversity & Inclusion

Whirlpool Signs Manifesto Valore D and Commits to Support Women’s Empowerment in the Workplace

Sep 15, 2017 4:30 PM ET

Whirlpool Corporation has signed the "Valore D" Manifesto for Women's Empowerment, an agreement meant to enhance female talent in the corporate world.

Sustainable Development Goals

UPS/Greenbiz Survey Finds Businesses Are Concerned About Impacts of Urbanization

Sep 15, 2017 4:30 PM ET

A new study from UPS (NYSE:UPS) and GreenBiz Group reveals nearly all companies (95 percent) surveyed are concerned about how urbanization will impact business growth and sustainability. However, according to The Road to Sustainable Urban Logistics survey, only 47 percent feel prepared to address the associated business challenges. Further, respondents cite air quality (58 percent) and traffic congestion (53 percent) as top concerns over other urban challenges. And 65 percent of respondents believe insufficient collaboration across sectors, including government, is a key barrier to well-managed logistic operations in urban areas.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Qualcomm Foundation Announces $1 Million Donation for Relief and Recovery Due to Devastating 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season

Sep 15, 2017 4:30 PM ET

We continue to be concerned about the severe weather developing during this year’s Atlantic hurricane season. As Hurricane Irma approaches Florida, and other strong systems develop in the Atlantic, the Qualcomm Foundation is donating $1 million to the Center for Disaster Philanthropy for long-term recovery efforts. This funding is in addition to the $1 million Qualcomm Incorporated recently pledged towards Hurricane Harvey relief and recovery.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

How Companies Can Intervene to Transform Workplace Health

Sep 15, 2017 3:00 PM ET

Social Impact & Volunteering

Keep Phoenix Beautiful 9/11 Day of Service

Sep 15, 2017 3:00 PM ET

Keep Phoenix Beautiful, in partnership with the City of Phoenix, 911Day.org and Cities of Service, conducted a 9/11 Day of Service event to honor the brave heroes of that day and to launch Keep Phoenix Beautiful’s Community Garden.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Mohawk Teams Up with Nature’s Big Springs Water to Provide Hurricane Harvey Relief in Houston

Sep 15, 2017 2:50 PM ET

Mohawk Industries and Nature’s Big Springs Water teamed up to donate and deliver more than 100,000 bottles of water to the Houston area. They split the cost of the water and will leverage Mohawk’s fleet to make the delivery once the roads are passable.

Innovation & Technology

Mary Barra Outlines GM’s Road Map for Safer, Better and More Sustainable Transportation Solutions

Sep 15, 2017 2:20 PM ET

General Motors Chairman and CEO Mary Barra hosted a press conference today in Shanghai to discuss GM’s road map for the future of personal mobility. The company’s goal is to address the challenges such as crashes, pollution and congestion that have come with growing urbanization.

Environment

Top 5 Apple Trees Sold Through the Arbor Day Tree Nursery

Sep 15, 2017 2:00 PM ET

Fall harvest is starting. Many of our favorite fall fruits and nuts are starting to ripen. Here are the five most popular apple trees sold through the Arbor Day tree nursery that will ship out this fall.