ESG News from Leading Brands

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Supporting Local Disaster Relief Efforts in Garland, Texas

Jan 12, 2016 9:15 AM ET

The holiday season is typically a time to remember good fortune, an opportunity to take stock of blessings and a time spent gathering with loved ones. That’s why, when the temperature in Garland, Texas, neared 75 degrees Christmas day, all seemed well.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

5 Best Practices for Improving Grantmaking: A Corporate Funder’s Guide

Jan 12, 2016 9:05 AM ET

How can the process of grantmaking be improved? Empowering change through grants means making it easier for funders and grantees to interact—and technology is the key. There are 5 areas of focus that can help you create best practices for impact.

Environment

Bloom Energy to Install First−Ever Highrise Project at Morgan Stanley Global Headquarters in New York City

Jan 12, 2016 8:30 AM ET

Morgan Stanley today announced that Bloom Energy will install a fuel cell system at the Firm’s global headquarters in New York City’s Times Square neighborhood. The fuel cell project at 1585 Broadway is expected to be fully operational in late 2016 and will provide approximately 750 kW of 24x7 high quality power to the Morgan Stanley building, equal to approximately 6 million kWh of clean electricity each year.

Energy

Controlling Energy Use at Norfolk Southern

Jan 12, 2016 8:05 AM ET

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Tenke Fungurume Mining, a Freeport-McMoRan Company, Named Mining Company of the Year

Jan 12, 2016 8:00 AM ET

Tenke Fungurume Mining (TFM) recently was named Mining Company of the Year and Best Performer in Environmental Management at the 2015 IPAD (Infrastructure Partnerships for African Development) Democratic Republic of Congo Mining & Infrastructure conference.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Albertsons Companies Celebrates Safeway's Year-end 2015 Commitment for Responsibly Sourced Seafood

Jan 12, 2016 7:00 AM ET

We are proud to announce that as of year-end 2015, 77% of Safeway’s fresh and frozen seafood and 99% of private label frozen packaged seafood met our Responsible Sourcing Commitment. Since setting this ambitious goal in 2010, Safeway (including Carrs, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Vons, and Pavilions) has transitioned over 29 million pounds of seafood to environmentally responsible sources. To help reach this major milestone, we partnered with FishWise, an environmental non-profit that promotes the health and recovery of ocean ecosystems through environmentally and socially responsible business practices.

Events, Media & Communications

MGM Resorts Presents 34th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade Themed “Living the Dream: The Movement Continues”

Jan 12, 2016 7:00 AM ET

The Las Vegas celebration being held on Jan. 18, 2016 is hailed as one of the nation's most popular annual parades celebrating the ideals and life of Dr. King, thousands are expected to line the Fourth Street parade route to commemorate Dr. King's legacy of promoting equal and human rights. The theme for this year’s parade is “Living the Dream: The Movement Continues.”

“The Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade offers MGM Resorts a unique opportunity to stand alongside our community as we celebrate a great man’s enduring legacy,” said Jim Murren, Chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International. “Dr. King continues to be an inspiration as we strive to uphold the ideals of equality he championed.”

Environment

Nat Geo Channel and Darren Aronofsky to Explore Life on Earth in Ambitious 'One Strange Rock' Event Series

Jan 11, 2016 7:00 PM ET

As part of its dedication to providing cutting-edge scientific programming, 21st Century Fox's National Geographic Channel has teamed with Academy Award-nominated director Darren Aronofsky for One Strange Rock, an event series exploring the conditions that make Earth the only planet known to sustain life. The project is currently in preproduction and plans to film for 100 weeks around the world and in outer space, using innovative micro- and macro-photography technology and bringing cameras where they've never been before.

Environment

TerraPass Brings Green to the College Football Playoff National Championship

Jan 11, 2016 4:10 PM ET

Top-ranked Clemson and No.2 Alabama will be facing off amidst more than orange and crimson at the College Football Playoff National Championship. TerraPass, a member of the Just Energy Group of companies will be greening up the game with carbon offsets and renewable energy credits (RECs); mitigating the game’s environmental impact. Playoff Fan Central, the CFP transportation fleet and competing teams’ travel and accommodations will be “carbon neutral” thanks to offsets provided by Terrapass.

Innovation & Technology

National CSR Awards to Spotlight U.K. Sustainable Businesses

Jan 11, 2016 4:00 PM ET

Interview with Karen Sutton, CEO, National CSR Awards

With previous sponsors and supporters like Mercedes-Benz, Natwest and Carillion, the 2016 National CSR Awards will celebrate business excellence and innovation in Corporate Social Responsibility on May 12, 2016 at The Crystal in London.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Avista Named 2015 Philanthropic Corporation of the Year by United Way

Jan 11, 2016 2:00 PM ET

Good People, Good Causes was the theme of the 2015 United Way Emerging Leaders Society Philanthropic Awards in Spokane, Wash. And that theme aptly describes Avista’s commitment to the communities that the company has proudly served for 126 years. Avista was one of eight finalists for Philanthropic Corporation of the Year and emerged as the winner in that category, reinforcing the company’s purpose of improving life’s quality with energy – safely, reliably and responsibly.

Environment

Saving Energy, Water and Time by Keeping Our Air Fleet Clean

Jan 11, 2016 2:00 PM ET

Keeping a fleet of vehicles clean is a necessary, but important task for businesses whose calling card is their livery and the condition of which reflects directly on the brand – good or bad. But when your fleet includes aircraft, the task takes on a whole new level of complexity.

Education

JetBlue Pushes STEM in Volusia Classroom

Jan 11, 2016 1:30 PM ET

Five hundred books dropped from the sky Wednesday as JetBlue Airways donated a library worth of books to Turie T. Small Elementary School students in celebration of its new daily service between Daytona Beach and New York.

Education

Harlem First, Mapping of a Community Gallery Opening

Jan 11, 2016 1:30 PM ET

You are invited to the opening reception of Harlem First, Mapping the Health of a Community, an exhibition of work by MFA Design for Social Innovation students that addresses the health needs of a community.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Deloitte Builds Sustainability Eminence with New Appointments

Jan 11, 2016 1:20 PM ET

GRI recently announced the appointment of new members on its Board of Directors, Stakeholder Council (SC), and Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)—the three governance bodies that oversee GRI’s activities and play a leading role in the development of its Sustainability Reporting Framework.

Events, Media & Communications

DC Metro Nonprofits Gain $150,000 in Pro Bono Services from Taproot Foundation and Project Management for Change on MLK Day

Jan 11, 2016 1:00 PM ET

As part of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Day of Service, Taproot Foundation and Project Management for Change will lead the second annual Project Management Day of Service Pro Bono Lab. This pro bono volunteer event will bring critical resources in strategic planning, marketing, IT, finance, and HR to local nonprofit organizations. Facilitated by the Taproot Foundation and Project Management for Change, in partnership with 5 local Project Management Institute (PMI) chapters, this one-day event will connect over 300 seasoned project managers and subject matter experts with 100 nonprofit organizations.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

11th Annual CECP Board of Boards Convening of CEOs

Jan 11, 2016 1:00 PM ET

Fifty CEOs of the world’s largest companies will convene at CECP’s 11th annual Board of Boards: Competing for the Long Run, February 29, 2016 in New York, NY. A Forbes-named top three “power player” event for CEOs, the Board of Boards is a closed-door, CEO-to-CEO forum on the case for thinking long-term about business and societal strategies.

Events, Media & Communications

5 Powerful Ways to Create an Inspiring Work Culture for Millennials

Jan 11, 2016 1:00 PM ET

Social Impact & Volunteering

Republic Services Supports Upbring Foster Program in Texas

Jan 11, 2016 12:45 PM ET

In December, Republic Services’ Harlingen, TX division collected over 50 toys and donated them to Upbring foster program in Texas.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Interview with Aldo Cristiano, Director of Cocoa Procurement at Ferrero

Jan 11, 2016 12:15 PM ET

Interview with Aldo Cristiano, Director of Cocoa Procurement, Ferrero

Energy

5 Reasons to go Electric … And How the Chevrolet Bolt EV Delivers

Jan 11, 2016 12:00 PM ET

Haven’t gone electric yet? Chevrolet’s latest electric vehicle, the Bolt EV, might convince you to take the plunge. Our engineers designed this roomy and bright small crossover hatchback for…well, everyone.

Social Impact & Volunteering

5 Ways to Serve on MLK Day

Jan 11, 2016 11:20 AM ET

How will you make the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday a day on instead of a day off? Join millions of Americans across the country on Jan. 18 for volunteer service and dialogue to honor Dr. King's memory.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Vaseline’s “Healing Project” Brings Relief to Refugees

Jan 11, 2016 11:15 AM ET

As the refugee crisis continues across the globe, many displaced citizens are going without access to basic needs such as clean water, food, clothing and shelter. Many companies are stepping up to provide aid, from Ikea's flat-packed refugee shelters toGoogle's $5.5 million donation match to humanitarian groups. Yet sometimes a company's own product can be the very best source of relief. When dermatologists Grace Bandow and Samar Jaber arrived at a Syrian refugee camp in 2014, they were surprised to learn many of the ailments affecting patients in the dry, hot, exposed desert could be easily relieved with a very simple product: Vaseline.

Environment

Sanofi – Cop 21 - What are the Consequences for Climate Change on Population’s Health?

Jan 11, 2016 10:55 AM ET

Sylvie Joussaume, Climatologist at National Institute of Sciences of the Universe (CNRS, France), explains how climate change is already noticeable and affects people's health: extreme weather events, food shortages, restrict access to water or air pollution, are some of its consequences.

Events, Media & Communications

2016 – A “Hopeful” Year for Sustainability Innovation? Technology Experts Share Their “I Hope” List

Jan 11, 2016 10:45 AM ET

Elaine Hsieh, director of VERGE at the Greenbiz Group, gave us her “biggest hopes for sustainability technology in 2016,” which Greenbiz presented in a year end post.