ESG News from Leading Brands

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

BSR to Host Event in China Celebrating Completion of Women in Factories Program

May 2, 2017 10:00 AM ET

At the completion of BSR's Women in Factories program, BSR and Walmart will host a half-day event in Shenzhen, China, to celebrate program outcomes, recognize the efforts of participating factories, and more.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Smart Cities Need Smart Master Planning Processes

May 2, 2017 10:00 AM ET

As governments consider where to spend their smart city funding, they may initially center on the critical building blocks of a smart city but often become subject to short-term budget priorities. To this point, responses to the 2017 Strategic Directions: Smart City/ Smart Utility Report survey suggest a vexing conundrum: What comes first, the budget or the plan?

Green Infrastructure

Mohawk Group Video | Light Lab: Living the Living Building Challenge™

May 2, 2017 9:15 AM ET

Environment

The Arbor Day Foundation Partners with General Motors, Procter & Gamble and Sustainable Brands on Tree Planting to Beautify Detroit Park

May 2, 2017 9:15 AM ET

The Arbor Day Foundation in partnership with General Motors, Procter & Gamble and Sustainable Brands are planting 40 trees at the Greening of Detroit Park in honor of Elizabeth Gordon Sachs at 1463 East Jefferson Street on May 22.

Innovation & Technology

FIRST Robotics & NRG Energy: Meeting Tomorrow's Innovators

May 2, 2017 9:10 AM ET

Diversity & Inclusion

Northern Trust Observes Take our Daughters and Sons to Work Day

May 2, 2017 9:05 AM ET

In observance of this day, Chicagoland Business Leadership Network (CBLN) member Northern Trust is hosting a series of educational events and fun-filled activities in its downtown offices for its employees and their children.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

How Aflac Raised Its Reputation Pulse Score for Its CSR Initiatives

May 2, 2017 9:05 AM ET

I recently had a conversation with the Reputation Institute, a leading research and advisory firm that collects and analyzes data and proffers advice about corporate reputation. We discussed Pulse Scores, derived from data that the Institute calculates for companies to measure their public reputation. Its algorithms are based on seven dimensions: leadership, performance, products/services, innovation, citizenship, governance and workplace.

Green Infrastructure

CBRE Victoria Pledges to TAKE2 Climate Change Initiative

May 2, 2017 9:05 AM ET

CBRE is one of more than 250 businesses to have taken the pledge across a range of key industry sectors, representing a total of 260,000 employees.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Tequila CAZADORES® Distillery Harnesses Green Energy

May 2, 2017 9:05 AM ET

With rugged engineering and a colossal arrangement of pipes, the Tequila CAZADORES® distillery in Arandas, Mexico, derives all power for distillation from its modern, clean-burning biomass boiler.

Education

Fox Makes Free ‘Hidden Figures’ Curriculum Guides Available for Classroom Discussions on Relevant Social Issues, Past and Present

May 2, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment has partnered with the nonprofit Journeys in Film to release a free Hidden Figures curriculum guide for the classroom.

Hidden Figures—starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monáe—tells the 'untold' story of three African American female NASA mathematicians during the Space Race of the 1960's, and was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and Best Supporting Actress for Octavia Spencer’s portrayal of Dorothy Vaughan. The powerful story behind Hidden Figures has made waves around the world and is encouraging young women, especially young women of color, to follow their dreams and pursue studies and careers in STEM.

Research, Reports & Publications

Changing the Way We Do Business

May 2, 2017 9:00 AM ET

“If I sold cars or electronics, I might want to be rewarded based on my individual sales targets, but I educate physicians on respiratory products. I want to be rewarded based on my ability to effectively discuss the product that's best for the patient. I’m proud to represent GSK and be part of the #1 most trusted pharmaceutical salesforce in America.” (Dale, Sales Specialist)

Research, Reports & Publications

AB InBev 2016 Better World Report; Bringing People Together for a Better World

May 2, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Anheuser-Busch InBev has published its 2016 Better World Report, which reports on progress against its Better World strategy, which was updated last October following its combination with SABMiller to align its environmental, social and alcohol responsibility efforts around three core pillars:

Health & Healthcare

Qualcomm Wireless Reach Announces Newest Mobile Health Program: THRIVE Indonesia

May 2, 2017 7:00 AM ET

Events, Media & Communications

WBCSD, Unilever, eBay, GSK, United Nations Global Compact, European Commission Join Responsible Business Summit

May 2, 2017 5:00 AM ET

We’re excited to announce that 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.

Environment

National Geographic Launches Mission Blue Initiative to Combat Water Scarcity in India

May 1, 2017 8:15 PM ET

As millions of Indian citizens continue to struggle with poor access to clean drinking water, 21st Century Fox’s National Geographic has teamed with Water Aid India and top talent from Bollywood to launch Mission Blue, a new initiative to raise awareness of water scarcity and drive conservation. The company will air documentaries and television specials about the crisis across its channels in India, and the campaign’s website will provide digital tools allowing viewers to calculate their own water footprints and provide ways to save water in their daily lives.

Sustainable Development Goals

Ceres Conference 2017: Business Leaders Prove Sustainability is The Bottom Line

May 1, 2017 7:15 PM ET

Last week, sustainability leaders from around the world gathered at the Ceres Conference in San Francisco to compare notes and strategize about how to tackle some of our most pressing challenges – from water scarcity and resource depletion to the mounting impacts of climate change. While there are many motivations for companies to play a leading role in addressing these issues, the most important driver cited by attendees is that sustainability can improve the bottom line. Simply put, sustainability is just good business.

Research, Reports & Publications

Gilead Publishes Year in Review 2016

May 1, 2017 5:15 PM ET

Gilead Sciences, Inc. today announced that it issued its Year in Review 2016, a combination of the company’s Annual Report and Corporate Social Responsibility report. This report provides an in-depth look into Gilead’s commitment to develop and deliver innovative therapies that change lives.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Whirlpool Corporation’s Employees Hold Mock Interviews with Area High School Students

May 1, 2017 4:45 PM ET

More than 50 high school students from Benton Harbor, Bridge Academy, Dowagiac and Hartford participated in mock interviews with Whirlpool Corporation employees on Thursday, April 27.

Education

JetBlue and KaBOOM! Places to Play for 50,000 Kids in Need

May 1, 2017 4:45 PM ET

Having fun is crucial to personal and social well-being. Since 2006, passionate crewmember volunteers have partnered with KaBOOM! to help children get the active play they need to thrive, particularly those who are growing up in poverty.

Media & Communications

U.S. Chamber Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center Announces DSM’s Welsh as Advisory Board Chair

May 1, 2017 4:30 PM ET

The U.S. Chamber Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center today announced that Hugh Welsh, president and general counsel of DSM North America, will serve as chair of its advisory board for the coming year.

Research, Reports & Publications

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany Releases 2016 Corporate Responsibility Report

May 1, 2017 3:30 PM ET

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany—whose life science business in the U.S. operates as MilliporeSigma—recently published its 2016 Corporate Responsibility Report. Available online at http://reports.emdgroup.com/2016/cr-report/, the report details the company's activities across the globe in health, environment, and culture & education.

Events, Media & Communications

Van Jones: Living Future unConference Opening Night Keynote

May 1, 2017 3:15 PM ET

During the initial planning stages of the International Living Future Institute’s 11th annual unConference, the theme was dedicated to Genius and Courage. The search then began for keynote speakers who are devoted to bringing these nouns to life in their daily actions.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

LA Galaxy Foundation Announces New Five-Year Partnership with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

May 1, 2017 2:30 PM ET

AEG’s LA Galaxy Foundation has announced a new, five-year partnership with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) that will see $500,000 donated to the Sports Medicine Program in the Children’s Orthopaedic Center. Along with the new partnership, LA Galaxy President Chris Klein will serve as a member of the Children’s Orthopaedic Center (COC) Council and the team, staff, and academy will continue to make CHLA regular trips to the hospital to visit patients as part of their longstanding relationship.

Education

Kimberly-Clark Awards $1.08 Million in College Scholarships to High School Students in North America

May 1, 2017 1:50 PM ET

Kimberly-Clark celebrates its 25th year of the Bright Futures Scholarship Program by awarding $1.08 million in college scholarships this year to 54 children of Kimberly-Clark employees across 18 states and Canada. Since its inception, the program has awarded over $39 million in scholarships to more than 2,000 students.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Las Vegas Sands Announces Recipient of Global Citizenship Award

May 1, 2017 1:35 PM ET

Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE: LVS) has named Erik Weiner the winner of The Mr. Sheldon G. and Dr. Miriam Adelson Citizenship Award presented by Sands Cares. Mr. Weiner is a training coordinator at Sands Bethlehem, the company’s resort property in Pennsylvania.