ESG News from Leading Brands

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

De Beers Group Provides a Solution for a School's Crowded Classrooms

Jan 3, 2018 8:30 AM ET

The mine sent in a lowbed truck and crane and partnered with local contractors to transport unused mobile classrooms from Alldays High School to the nearby Alldays Primary School in Limpopo Province, saving the school R150,000, which is what it would otherwise have cost to move them.

Education

Meet Amgen Scholars Alumni Andrea Pérez González From Universidad Francisco de Vitoria

Jan 3, 2018 8:25 AM ET

"Although I had no previous research experience, Dr. Hugh Robinson gave me the opportunity to do my project on electrophysiological properties of small-cell lung cancer.”

Environment

Plants of the Future: Sustainable Food Processing from Beginning to End

Jan 3, 2018 8:25 AM ET

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

National Grid to Present the “Not Impossible Ignition Award” to OffGridBox

Jan 3, 2018 8:10 AM ET

National Grid will recognize OffGridBox with the “Not Impossible Ignition Award” at CES® (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas on January 11, 2018. The Not Impossible Awards celebrate the work and stories of people who exemplify innovation in technology. OffGridBox is a modular, compact unit that provides renewable energy and treated water in off-the-grid areas. They will be one of five recipients to receive the award and the only business recognized for their strides in the energy industry.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Alliance for Community Tree Groups Are Dedicated to Improving the Livability of Towns and Cities Through Tree Planting

Jan 3, 2018 8:00 AM ET

Local impact happens when community-based tree planting organizations create projects that involve citizens, schools, churches, and government. This is the work of the 125 members of the Alliance for Community Trees program. This is the work of the 125 members of the Alliance for Community Trees program. for Community Trees program.

Sustainable Development Goals

Expert Interview With Sam Huston, Water and Sanitation Expert

Jan 3, 2018 8:00 AM ET

Sam Huston is Chief of Party for Tetra Tech’s U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene Financing (WASH-FIN) project, which focuses on closing financing gaps to achieve universal access to water and sanitation services. Sam has 15 years of experience working in the WASH sector, with expertise in infrastructure financing, utility reform, and water-related conflict issues in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and the United States.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

The 2018 Benevity Goodness Calendar

Jan 3, 2018 7:15 AM ET

A new year calls for a new Goodness calendar! The Benevity Goodness Calendar is a handy list of cause-focused awareness dates throughout 2018 that is sortable by cause focus area and date. Use it as a source of inspiration to build an engaging year-round Goodness program and ensure your upcoming campaigns are relevant and top-of-mind.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Social Responsibility at Sappi North America

Jan 2, 2018 4:30 PM ET

Our social responsibility efforts focus on our employees, customers and our local communities. We engage with customers to create relevant and innovative products. Across our operations, we focus on the safety, well-being and expertise of our employees, and we routinely work to connect and contribute in our local communities.

Innovation & Technology

Atonix Digital™ to Provide Data-driven Infrastructure Solutions

Jan 2, 2018 3:05 PM ET

Responding to the widening importance of Big Data analytics across the global business landscape, leading engineering, construction and consulting company Black & Veatch today launched Atonix Digital™ LLC. Atonix Digital is a wholly-owned subsidiary tasked with delivering transformational, data-driven solutions for clients.

Energy

New Hampshire Businesses Call for Strong Clean Energy Policies to Help the State Thrive

Jan 2, 2018 2:15 PM ET

As the legislature gears up for the 2018 session, over 50 New Hampshire businesses united in calling for the Legislature to support economic growth and business development through advancing clean energy policies. Dartmouth Hitchcock, Hannaford Supermarkets, Hypertherm, Velcro Companies, Timberland and Worthen Industries are among the businesses that signed on to a series of “Clean Energy Principles.”

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

To Kick-Off the Holiday Season, JetBlue Customers and Crewmembers Checked In For Good in Houston, Jamaica and Bahamas

Jan 2, 2018 1:30 PM ET

Throughout the month of November, JetBlue customers and crewmembers checked in for good on three volunteer trips with some of the airline’s non-profit partners. More than 8,000 customers entered the #CheckInForGood contest. Nearly one hundred customers and crewmembers participated in trips focusing on the three JetBlue For Good pillars: youth and education, community and the environment. These trips took place around #GivingTuesday, the international day of giving kicking off the holiday season.

Research, Reports & Publications

Caterpillar Global Parts EVC Program Delivers Profitability With Sustainability

Jan 2, 2018 1:00 PM ET

With thousands of suppliers, plants, dealers and customers in our value chain, there are opportunities to improve efficiencies in moving raw materials and finished products from point A to point B.

Media & Communications

We Are Far Now From Milton Friedman’s Prevailing View on CSR in 1970 – Companies Are Showing the Way – Here Are 5 Examples

Jan 2, 2018 12:00 PM ET

The stage was set in 1970 by Professor Milton Friedman, who wrote in a New York Times Magazine essay: The social responsibility of business is to increase its profits. He famously said in conclusion: “here is one and only one social responsibility of business–to use it resources and engage in activities designed to increase its profits so long as it stays within the rules of the game, which is to say, engages in open and free competition without deception or fraud."

Media & Communications

Zero Mass Water: A New Source for H2O

Jan 2, 2018 11:55 AM ET

In our household we do our best to avoid buying bottled water - we're keenly aware of what those darn plastic bottles are doing to the environment. Instead, we just drink our tap water - it's safe and delicious, because we live in San Francisco, and our water is sourced from the magnificent Hetch Hetchy Reservoir.

Events, Media & Communications

Subaru Encourages Winter Warriors to Seize the Snow Days With the Return of #SubaruWinterFest

Jan 2, 2018 11:40 AM ET

Subaru of America, Inc. has announced the return of Subaru WinterFest, the automaker’s mountain destination and lifestyle tour that brings together winter warriors across the country for a one-of-a-kind experience. Featuring a blend of entertainment and adventure in amazing places, the 2018 tour will celebrate the winter season, while encouraging attendees to seize the snow day with an array of memorable activities.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Opens Final Year of GRO1000 Grassroots Grants to Benefit Communities Through Gardens

Jan 2, 2018 11:30 AM ET

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Whirlpool Corporation Among Top-ranked Companies in 2017 Newsweek Green Rankings

Jan 2, 2018 11:30 AM ET

Whirlpool Corporation has risen in the Newsweek Green Rankings to 50 and 82 on the national and global lists respectively. The rankings assess the environmental performance of the largest publicly traded companies in the U.S. and the world. This year, Whirlpool Corporation was classified as a "top-ranked company," a designation awarded to fewer than 100 companies on either list.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

As Temperatures Plunge, Heating Costs Rise -- but Help Is Available to Keep the Heat on at Home

Jan 2, 2018 10:35 AM ET

Temperatures plunged across the Midwest this week, and if the bitter cold isn't bad enough, energy costs are rising. Bigger bills are expected to show up in January and already, 90,000 Consumer Energy customers are behind on their heating bill payments.

Social Impact & Volunteering

The Biggest Event at Rose Bowl Stadium Helps Feed Hundreds Locally

Jan 2, 2018 9:50 AM ET

More than 90,000 fans were gathered yesterday at the Rose Bowl Stadium for the venue’s biggest event of the year. Following the event, the stadium’s concessions partner, SodexoMAGIC, a partnership with Magic Johnson Enterprises and Sodexo, a food services and facilities management company, fed hundreds in need when it donated remaining food items to the Pasadena Hot Meal Program just as it has done for the past seven years.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Scotia Volunteers Assist Salvation Army with Grocery Packing

Jan 2, 2018 8:05 AM ET

What better way to get into the spirit of the season than by giving a helping hand to those in need? When the Salvation Army reached out to Scotiabank for their assistance with the packaging of groceries for the less fortunate, a number of staff members volunteered to give of their time.

Environment

2017 in Review: Sustainability Reporting to Fight Climate Change

Dec 31, 2017 11:00 AM ET

2017 was a record year in many respects, and climate change played a big part in it. We witnessed devastating natural disasters, groundbreaking policy changes and shocking political decisions, which set some of the progress backwards. However, many companies, states, even individuals, continue the fight with determination.

Research, Reports & Publications

2017 in Review: Tools for Non-financial Reporting

Dec 30, 2017 10:30 AM ET

After a challenging year for sustainability, this short series looks back at efforts and achievements in sustainability reporting during 2017. Part 3 focuses on the important work GRI has done with CSR EUrope regarding the new EU regulation, requiring companies to disclose non-financial information on a regular basis.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Republic Services Employees Volunteer at St. Louis Toy Drive

Dec 29, 2017 1:30 PM ET

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Sodexo Shares Industry Expertise and Best Practices As Part of United States Army’s Training With Industry Program

Dec 29, 2017 11:30 AM ET

Sodexo, a food services and facilities management company, is working directly with the United States Army in support of its highly coveted Training With Industry Program, an initiative developed to create a group of soldiers experienced in higher level managerial techniques and who have an understanding of the relationship of their industry as it relates to specific functions of the Army.

Environment

2017 EHS and Sustainability Year-end Review

Dec 29, 2017 10:05 AM ET

During this season, we like to take time to reflect upon the things we are thankful for, and that includes you. Our goal is always to provide trustworthy, useful information to help you excel in your role and do more with less, and we wish you peace, health, and prosperity in the New Year.