ESG News from Leading Brands

Environment

Beverage Sector Taking the Lead on Carbon Management

Oct 11, 2018 10:00 AM ET

The beverage sector is facing increasing stakeholder pressure to be more productive while also consuming less energy and reducing carbon emissions. The good news is that there are considerable opportunities to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions—if we come together to tackle the challenges standing in the way.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Strengthening Clean Energy with a Diverse Workforce

Oct 11, 2018 9:35 AM ET

As the global renewable energy workforce grows to 24 million in 2030, diversity and inclusion will play a central role in the success of this industry. It is the mission of Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE) to achieve a strong diversified workforce and support a robust renewable energy economy.

Research, Reports & Publications

Symantec Hits GHG Target, Increases Employee Engagement and Adds Diverse Talent to the Tech Workforce

Oct 11, 2018 9:00 AM ET

As part of its commitment to climate action, Symantec set a goal in 2016 to reduce Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 30 percent over a 10-year period (FY16 to FY25 with a FY15 baseline). Through investments in energy conservation and more efficient use of space the company has achieved a 32 percent reduction in GHG emissions in just three years. Its Mountain View Headquarters now has a zero-carbon electricity contract as it moves to further reduce emissions by choosing cleaner sources of energy to power offices, labs and data centers.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Private Sector Can Play Critical Role in Easing World Hunger

Oct 11, 2018 9:00 AM ET

One of every nine people in the world is hungry. Globally, hunger trend lines are moving in the wrong direction for the third consecutive year, with new evidence indicating a rise in world hunger to an estimated 821 million people, up from approximately 804 million last year. This latest assessment confirms the ongoing threat to food security and development gains across much of the planet.

Education

Goldcorp Funding Enables Indigenous Business Talent to Thrive at UBC Sauder

Oct 11, 2018 7:55 AM ET

As 2017 drew to a close, James Hobart recalls that his days felt routine, with few new challenges. But that was about to change when, along with 11 other participants, Hobart was accepted into the 2018 cohort of the Aboriginal Management Program (AMP) at the UBC Sauder School of Business.

The AMP is proudly supported by Goldcorp and is a rigorous five-month-long certificate program aimed at identifying promising Indigenous entrepreneurs then putting them on a fast track aimed at developing their leadership, project management, finance, and business planning skills.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Take the LBG Canada Mini Survey - Executive Spend

Oct 10, 2018 7:00 PM ET

Take the LBG Canada Mini Survey and tell us how your company acknowledges Executive interest in community! The LBG Canada program provides community investment professionals with data analytics to inform long term strategy, daily work, impact measurement and corporate reporting.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Barbara Mason, Group Head & Chief Human Resources Officer at Scotiabank Receives First Canadian Employment Equity Champion Award

Oct 10, 2018 4:45 PM ET

Congratulations Barbara Mason, Group Head & Chief Human Resources Officer at Scotiabank, for receiving the first Canadian Employment Equity Champion Award! This award recognizes an executive leader for their proven track record of championing employment equity within their organization, as well as their overall contribution to diversity in the workplace.

Health & Healthcare

Shire Says 'Thank You' to Clinical Research Patient Volunteers

Oct 10, 2018 4:10 PM ET

Shire conveys our gratitude to clinical research study participants, very important people who are directly responsible for helping potential new medicines become available to patients in need.

Energy

Duke Energy to Invest $500 Million in Battery Storage in the Carolinas Over the Next 15 Years

Oct 10, 2018 3:35 PM ET

Duke Energy's advancement of battery energy storage technologies in the Carolinas includes $500 million of projects in the company's 15-year forecast – continuing the company's industry-leading deployment of the technology.

Environment

Steve Seeger + Doniece Sandoval: Power of One

Oct 10, 2018 2:40 PM ET

Environment

Ecocentricity Blog: This Report Is Special

Oct 10, 2018 2:30 PM ET

We still have a chance of reaching the aspirational goal, but we need to move quickly. I urge you not to lose hope. Losing hope is futile, especially when what we need now is action.

Environment

How Would Your Day Be Different Without Water?

Oct 10, 2018 2:00 PM ET

On October 10, 2018, Tetra Tech is participating in the fourth annual Imagine a Day Without Water, a day of education and advocacy sponsored by the Value of Water Campaign.

Tetra Tech is among hundreds of organizations that are raising awareness about the importance of water in daily life and the crucial need for investment in water infrastructure to ensure that no community is left without safe and reliable water.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Drive Social Change With What You Do Best

Oct 10, 2018 1:30 PM ET

Drive social change with what you do best and donate your time and professional skills to nonprofits in need of your expertise. Learn how at Taproot Foundation's free Pro Bono Week webinar.

Sustainable Development Goals

Akoin Team Discuss Blockchain & SDGs during General Assembly Week

Oct 10, 2018 12:55 PM ET

Research, Reports & Publications

New Blueprint for An Inclusive Future of Work

Oct 10, 2018 12:10 PM ET

magine you’ve been working as an accounting clerk or on an assembly line or in a textile factory for the past 20 years. You’re great at your job and you’ve honed your craft skills over the years. Lately you’ve been seeing signs of change, noticing colleagues shifting roles, and reading increased news coverage of automation.

What are your options? Work harder, longer hours, faster? Start looking for new roles? Develop new skills? Where to start? Our new report Inclusive Future of Work: A Call to Action tackles these questions head on.

Environment

IPCC Report Reveals Urgent Need for CEOs to Act on Climate

Oct 10, 2018 11:55 AM ET

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a sobering report this week detailing the dramatic effects of climate change and the immediate steps we need to take to make significant progress on limiting warming in the future. The report makes it clear that apathy and inaction are no longer viable options. Unprecedented action is needed by both the public and private sector to transform our energy, transportation and other systems around the world.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Smithfield Foods and Feed More Unveil New Tractor-Trailer to Expand Distribution in Rural Counties in Central Virginia

Oct 10, 2018 11:35 AM ET

Smithfield Foods, Inc. and Feed More, a hunger-relief organization serving 34 cities and counties in Central Virginia, unveiled a new refrigerated tractor-trailer to support the organization’s efforts to improve product distribution to the eight localities in the southern region of their service area, where almost 25,000 individuals are food insecure. The tractor-trailer was funded through a $180,000 gift from the Smithfield Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Smithfield Foods.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

We Are Only Half As Good As We Want to Be

Oct 10, 2018 11:30 AM ET

Despite people giving $400 billion most Americans are only half as charitable as they intend. To help bridge that gap, progressive and purpose-driven brands are adopting new strategies to engage their people in more social impact.

Media & Communications

Breaking Through The PDF: 4 Trends in CR Reporting

Oct 10, 2018 11:20 AM ET

Today, reporting on corporate responsibility continues to rise, with 85 percent of companies in the S&P 500 Index publishing reports.To stand out from the sea of reports, leading companies are innovating new ways to communicate progress and increase transparency. As reporting season comes to a close in 2018, here are four ways leaders are standing out.

Environment

Consumers Energy Demonstrates Commitment to the Environment; Releases Endangered Blanding’s Turtles into Enhanced Wetlands

Oct 10, 2018 11:15 AM ET

Consumers Energy released three endangered Blanding’s turtles back to a Saginaw area wetland on Thursday, Sept. 27. The rare turtles – two adults and a juvenile -- were rescued from a right-of-way where Consumers Energy was installing Phase 2 of the Saginaw Trail Pipeline and cared for by a herpetologist employed by the company.

Research, Reports & Publications

Nobel Award Recognizes How Economic Forces Can Fight Climate Change – Andy Hoffman in the Conversation

Oct 10, 2018 11:05 AM ET

Yale economist William Nordhaus has devoted his life’s work to understanding the costs of climate change and advocating the use of a carbon tax to curb global warming.

Education

Arrow Electronics Presents Colorado Educators with Prestigious “Excellence in Technology Enabled Learning” Award

Oct 10, 2018 10:55 AM ET

Arrow Electronics presented Sean Wybrant and Scott Fuller with The 2018 Succeeds Prize for Excellence in Technology Enabled Learning during a celebration honoring Colorado public schools and educators in Denver.

Social Impact & Volunteering

The Allstate Foundation Encourages Youth Empowerment with Good Starts Young Program

Oct 10, 2018 10:30 AM ET

Research shows that for a young person to succeed in life, social and emotional learning skills are as – if not even more important – than academic achievement. With these skills, youth are empowered to succeed and become our future leaders.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Whole Planet Foundation Launches Annual Poverty Is Unnecessary Project

Oct 10, 2018 10:05 AM ET

This October, Whole Planet Foundation celebrates its global impact on poverty and the partners who further its mission. In 2005, Whole Foods Market® launched Whole Planet Foundation, its non-profit dedicated to global poverty alleviation in communities around the world where the company sources products.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Global Reporting Initiative Co-launches Impact Management Project

Oct 10, 2018 10:05 AM ET

Key organizations in impact management and standard setting, have joined forces to bring impact investing into mainstream finance.