ESG News from Leading Brands

Research, Reports & Publications

Big Data to Build Sharper Profiles of Consumer Commerce at the City Level

Dec 9, 2015 4:20 PM ET

Mixed signals. It’s a far too common phrase used by U.S. economists, policymakers and market analysts who are trying to interpret the latest economic data. Whether it’s understanding the Federal Reserve’s thinking on interest rates, or decoding Black Friday consumer spending - mixed signals are reported too often. True at the national level, these mixed signals, or no signals at all, are even more prevalent at the city level.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Trim Tab v.27 - The Equity Issue

Dec 9, 2015 3:00 PM ET

Trim Tab Magazine is the International Living Future Institute's quarterly, online publication that is awash with provocative articles, interviews and news on the issues, designs, and people that are truly transforming the built environment.

This issue shares stories of heroes who are proving that we can choose to work toward communities that are inclusive and robust for every person.

Environment

Bloomberg News: Climate Diplomats Have 940 Decisions to Make in Three Days

Dec 9, 2015 2:25 PM ET

With three days left in their marathon negotiating sessions and 940 decisions still to be made, envoys at the United Nations climate summit are advancing toward a deal that would limit fossil fuel pollution everywhere.

Energy

Biofuels Take Flight with FedEx

Dec 9, 2015 2:00 PM ET

FedEx planes to deliver packages using fuel made from forest waste.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Republic Services Recently Honored with the “Spirit of Solano” Award

Dec 9, 2015 1:45 PM ET

Republic Services was recently honored with the “Spirit of Solano” award, a recognized selected by the Chamber of Commerce in cities throughout Solano County.

Education

Jobs for America’s Graduates and AT&T Team up to Provide Academic and Career Training in 32 States

Dec 9, 2015 1:35 PM ET

Support will help JAG reach more youth at risk of dropping out

Washington, D.C., December 3, 2015 – Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) and AT&T are working together to help raise the high school graduation rate by expanding academic support and providing mentoring opportunities for underserved students. JAG has received a $2.55 million contribution from AT&T to allow the national non-profit to add new schools and/or expand existing programs through their 32 JAG State Affiliates with proven records of success of keeping kids in school.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

How to Make #GivingTuesday Last All Year Long

Dec 9, 2015 1:05 PM ET

2015 was the best year yet for #GivingTuesday, but why not push beyond one day and make giving last all year? Bring employee giving to your workplace!

Social Impact & Volunteering

GM’s Urban Garden Project is the Bee’s Knees

Dec 9, 2015 1:05 PM ET

When the rooftop garden at the parking garage adjacent to GM’s world headquarters gets started each summer, tenants inside the Detroit skyscraper watch the transformation of a once-empty section of the garage blossom into an ever-growing green space. The addition of honeybee hives helped pollinate the gardens, and now GM manufacturing scrap is providing insulation in the bees’ winter homes.

Education

Samsung Awards $20,000 in Technology to 51 Public Schools Across the U.S. to Support STEM Learning Through Projects that Address Community Issues

Dec 9, 2015 1:00 PM ET

Samsung Electronics America (SEA) today announced the 51 state winners of the 6th annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest (#SamsungSolve), the company’s $2 million* flagship program that supports its nationwide initiative to boost enthusiasm for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education among students in grades K-12 in partnership with BrainPOP, Adobe and the National Environmental Education Foundation.

Research, Reports & Publications

The Science of Citizenship

Dec 9, 2015 12:10 PM ET

Environment

Irrigation Overhaul Means Huge Water Savings at Shadow Creek Golf Course in Las Vegas

Dec 9, 2015 12:00 PM ET

MGM Resorts International expects to see healthier trees and more efficiency as water usage drops by about one third when a comprehensive irrigation upgrade now in progress at Shadow Creek Golf Course in Las Vegas is finished in June.

“The change allows us to turn down the overhead sprinklers that water the grass in natural areas, while still getting enough water to the trees where it’s needed,” said Tim Cloninger, Shadow Creek Superintendent. “We’re a little more than half done and we’ve already reduced our water usage by about 25 percent.”

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Newmont Ranked Mining Industry’s Sustainability Leader by DJSI

Dec 9, 2015 11:50 AM ET

In 2015 the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World) ranked Newmont as the mining industry’s leader in overall sustainability, marking the ninth consecutive year the company has been included on the index.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Bloomberg Markets Strategies Guide 2016: ESG Performance

Dec 9, 2015 11:45 AM ET

Getting a handle on environmental, social, and governance information has become more crucial for investor relations officers and other corporate executives.

Environment

Part One: Jon Duncan, Old Mutual’s Head of Responsible Investment Writes About COP21 and the Effects of Carbon on an Investment Portfolio

Dec 9, 2015 11:30 AM ET

Environment

Part Two: COP21 and the Effects of Carbon on an Investment Portfolio

Dec 9, 2015 11:30 AM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

The UPS Foundation Awards More Than $2.4 Million to Expand Global Volunteerism

Dec 9, 2015 11:25 AM ET

The UPS Foundation, the philanthropic arm of UPS (NYSE: UPS), will award grants to 10 non-profit organizations as part of its focus to increase the global volunteer movement.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

2016: The Year Ahead

Dec 9, 2015 11:15 AM ET

What’s next? What do you see the markets doing next year, and why? It is a question that those of us who work on Wall Street are used to, yet hate to answer.

Environment

We Care About Climate Change

Dec 9, 2015 11:00 AM ET

TransCanada has been identified for the fourth year running as a leader for the quality of climate change related information it has disclosed to investors and the global marketplace. This recognition comes from CDP, the international not-for-profit that drives business and government action on climate change.

Environment

What the Paris Climate Talks Mean for Utility Companies

Dec 9, 2015 11:00 AM ET

Environment

HP Joins More Than 100 Companies Calling for Low-Carbon USA

Dec 9, 2015 10:55 AM ET

Diversity & Inclusion

KeyBank Celebrates Eighth Perfect Score on HRC Equality Index; Wins Innovation in Diversity Award

Dec 9, 2015 10:40 AM ET

KeyBank today announced its eighth annual perfect score of 100 percent on the Human Rights Campaign's (HRC) 2016 Corporate Equality Index (CEI).

Health & Healthcare

Carnival Freedom Earns Perfect 100 U.S.P.H. Inspection Score

Dec 9, 2015 10:10 AM ET

Responsible Production & Consumption

Agronomist Luis Diego Aguilar Mora works for the Nespresso AAA Program to improve farming practices in Costa Rica

Dec 9, 2015 10:00 AM ET

"The Nespresso AAA Sustainable Quality™ Program has shown me how a relationship based on trust can bring about positive changes on the farm and in my personal life."Luis Diego Aguilar Mora

Environment

General Mills Puts a Spotlight on Climate Change and Agriculture at COP21

Dec 9, 2015 10:00 AM ET

More than 40,000 delegates from 195 countries are in Paris for COP21, the global climate change talks. General Mills played a prominent role in one of the side events that addressed agriculture’s role in greenhouse gas emissions.

Environment

BSR COP21 Daily Dispatch: Day 10

Dec 9, 2015 9:30 AM ET

The BSR COP21 Daily Dispatch highlights news and insights on the policy negotiations and their implications for business and a sustainable future for our climate.