ESG News from Leading Brands

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

The North Face Announces 2016 Explore Fund Grants Open for Applications

Mar 2, 2016 4:05 PM ET

The North Face to award $500,000 to nonprofit organizations that connect people to the outdoors.

Environment

Methane Disdain

Mar 2, 2016 4:05 PM ET

Along with the Affordable Care Act, the Clean Power Plan may end up being one of President Obama’s signature accomplishments. We learned recently, though, about the US Supreme Court’s potential role in determining the fate of the plan.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

​List Helps Aspiring Students Find the Most Socially Inclined Colleges

Mar 2, 2016 4:00 PM ET

Going through college is much more than acquiring the skills to pursue a career.

Innovation & Technology

Fox Convenes NASA Astronauts, Leading Scientists, and "The Martian" Team to Discuss the Future of a Manned Mission to Mars

Mar 2, 2016 4:00 PM ET

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment brought leaders in the space exploration field together with the creative team behind the hit Fox film "The Martian" for "The Journey to Mars 101" forum, where they discussed real-word possibilities of a voyage to Mars. Astronauts, scientists, and engineers revealed how new developments in technology are contributing to Mars exploration and encouraged students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The event took place at the Zanuck Theater on the Fox Studios Lot in Los Angeles and featured panelists such as director Ridley Scott, "The Martian" author Andy Weir, Bill Nye the Science Guy, and several scientists working to make the journey to Mars a reality.

Responsible Production & Consumption

International Living Future Institute Adds $10K Prize Incentive to 2016 Biomimicry Global Design Challenge

Mar 2, 2016 2:50 PM ET

Can we design products that function as elegantly as anything found in the natural world? And can those products mimic nature’s design principles?

Diversity & Inclusion

Antea Group Consultant Alison Bryant Named to Environmental Initiative Board of Directors

Mar 2, 2016 2:45 PM ET

Antea Group is pleased to announce that Alison Bryant has been elected to the board of directors for Environmental Initiative, a nonprofit organization that builds partnerships to develop collaborative solutions to Minnesota's environmental problems.

Research, Reports & Publications

Barclays Concludes Four Year Citizenship Plan

Mar 2, 2016 2:00 PM ET

Barclays has published its annual Citizenship performance in the Barclays PLC Annual Report 2015. Fully integrated with Barclays’ Balanced Scorecard, the Citizenship Plan included 11 targets to deliver by the end of 2015.

Education

EdSurge Research: Forces and Trends Shaping K12 EdTech

Mar 2, 2016 1:55 PM ET

We all have a huge stake in education, as parents, as community members and as learners ourselves. The only way we can collectively move education forward is if we start trading lenses and begin building a better understanding of how other communities see teaching and learning. EdSurge has spent months researching the predominant edtech trends, exploring data and engaging many voices including educators, administrators, entrepreneurs, investors, parents and policy-makers. We wanted to share the perspectives, hopes and, at times, frustrations of others as we all move forward to shape the future of teaching and learning.

Events, Media & Communications

Biomimicry Global Design Challenge Teams Up with Living Future Institute

Mar 2, 2016 1:30 PM ET

Environment

General Manager Interviews With KCEP 88.1 FM While Supporting Urban Chamber

Mar 2, 2016 1:20 PM ET

North Las Vegas Division General Manager, Jim Rankin recently supported the Urban Chamber of Commerce while visiting popular radio station - KCEP FM 88.1 with Ken Evans of the Urban Chamber on the “Commerce First” program for a live on-air interview.

Energy

GM’s Distribution and IT Centers Star in Energy Efficiency

Mar 2, 2016 12:05 PM ET

Eleven General Motors facilities have earned ENERGY STAR® certification for superior energy efficiency from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These buildings, which include seven parts distribution centers, a global headquarters office and three IT innovation office centers, have optimized their buildings to leave a smaller carbon footprint.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

MetLife Foundation and ‘The Financial Inclusion Challenge’ Seek Best Solutions for Financial Access Across Asia

Mar 2, 2016 12:00 PM ET

MetLife Foundation announced today, its exclusive sponsorship of the second year of The Financial Inclusion Challenge.

Diversity & Inclusion

Fox Celebrates Black History Month with 25th Anniversary Screening of "The Five Heartbeats"

Mar 2, 2016 10:00 AM ET

On February 26th, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment and parent company 21st Century Fox sponsored a special 25th anniversary screening and Q&A for the iconic 1991 film "The Five Heartbeats," hosted by the Writers Guild of America, West's Committee of Black Writers. The event was held in celebration of Black History Month, bringing together people of color from across the industry, including 50 current students at Ghetto Film School Los Angeles, of which 21st Century Fox is a co-founder.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

The Search is On for Local SDG Pioneers

Mar 2, 2016 9:10 AM ET

UN Global Compact Executive Director Lise Kingo announces the search for local business leaders and change-makers in every region of the world who are demonstrating how business can be a force for good.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Regenerative Business Mentors Visit First Green Bank

Mar 2, 2016 9:05 AM ET

Innovation & Technology

Sustainable Brands Seeks Entrepreneurs for Startup Business Competition

Mar 2, 2016 9:00 AM ET

Sustainable Brands® recently opened submissions for its internationally recognized startup business competition Sustainable Brands Innovation Open (SBIO). Presented and sponsored for a fifth year by Target, the competition culminates at SB’16 San Diego, June 6-9, with venture finalists presenting their early operational plans to business leaders and investors in the Sustainable Brands community. Mission-driven entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply before March 25.

Diversity & Inclusion

#WomensHistoryMonth: Insights from Women Leaders at Cox

Mar 2, 2016 9:00 AM ET

In celebration of Women's History Month, three of Cox's women leaders took a few moments to share their insights and help others.
Great companies never change who they are - their soul or their core values. Cox businesses lean on our values and have created environments where different perspectives and ideas are allowed to flourish. This

Social Impact & Volunteering

YouthBuild Students From U.S., Mexico and El Salvador Cross International Borders for First Prudential YouthBuild Global Service Day

Mar 2, 2016 8:30 AM ET

Bound by their common lack of opportunity and struggles to get a quality education and job training, seventy YouthBuild students from Arizona, Mexico and El Salvador met in San Luis today for the program’s first transnational event. YouthBuild students and graduates joined together to build walls for two green homes that will be owned by low-income families.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Jimmy Kimmel and Chevrolet Unite to #DayItForward

Mar 1, 2016 5:30 PM ET

Teachers at Whaley Middle School in Los Angeles were starting an online campaign to raise significant funds for necessary supplies when Chevrolet and Jimmy Kimmel Live! surprised them by stepping in.

Health & Healthcare

Versaic Delivers Solution to Streamline Medical Affairs for Pharmaceuticals

Mar 1, 2016 5:15 PM ET

Versaic, a leading provider of grant and donation management solutions, has designed and deployed systems for healthcare and pharmaceutical companies to streamline processes in Medical Affairs including Investigator Initiated Studies (IIS) and Continuing Medical Education (CME) grants.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Trevor Plouffe Inspires Action Team Captains During Second Conference Call of the School Year

Mar 1, 2016 5:00 PM ET

Joining the second Action Team conference call of the 2015-2016 school year, Trevor Plouffe stressed the importance of inspiring others to take active roles in their communities.

Education

Inspiring Future Engineers

Mar 1, 2016 5:00 PM ET

Recently, a few Southern California Edison engineers met with the Charging Champions, a team of middle and high school students building a robot to compete in the FIRST Tech Challenge robotics competition this spring.

Environment

Bard CEP to Host Live Webinar Weds., 3/2 at Noon on Renewables, Efficiency and Carbon Pricing

Mar 1, 2016 4:15 PM ET

On March 2nd, the Bard Center for Environmental Policy will be speaking with Rachel Cleetus, Lead Economist at the Union of Concerned Scientists about Renewables, Efficiency and Carbon Pricing.

Responsible Production & Consumption

IHOP and Applebees Will Serve Cage-Free Eggs

Mar 1, 2016 4:00 PM ET

DineEquity, the parent company of IHOP & Applebees, is committed to going 100 percent cage-free in its egg supply chain.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Meeting the Gold Standard in Corporate Sustainability

Mar 1, 2016 2:45 PM ET

Fact is, organizations like TransCanada in the energy sector have been operating in a socially responsible way for decades. We just haven’t been very good at telling people about it.