ESG News from Leading Brands

Responsible Production & Consumption

How You Can Be Part of the Fair Trade Difference

Oct 19, 2017 10:15 AM ET

Fair Trade USA, a nonprofit organization and leading certifier of Fair Trade products, has released a powerful 5-minute documentary video to kick off its new Fair Trade Difference campaign and pledge drive. The purpose of the video and two-week campaign is to tell the story of Fair Trade in full color, and to inspire commitment to shopping Fair Trade by signing a pledge. As a whole, the Fair Trade Difference is an invitation to peer behind the seal; a guided tour into lives and communities across the world impacted by production and purchase of Fair Trade products; and a call to people to care about a simple way to make an immediate, long-lasting difference in the world.

Environment

Domtar Sustainability: A Brighter (and Cooler) Future in Jesup

Oct 19, 2017 10:15 AM ET

Colleagues at our personal care facility in Jesup, Georgia, are seeing their work in a different light.

Education

Industry Standard Celebrates a Decade of Excellence

Oct 19, 2017 10:15 AM ET

Developed by AccountAbility in 2007, the CSAP qualification led the way for practitioners to develop, validate and communicate their competence in a systematic manner, allowing organisations to identify credible assurance providers and improve stakeholder confidence in the expertise of sustainability professionals engaged with their organisations.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Common Impact and Charles Schwab Scale Annual Pro Bono Challenge to 9 Cities

Oct 19, 2017 10:15 AM ET

Common Impact, a nonprofit that pioneered corporate skills-based volunteering, teams up with Charles Schwab to launch their 4th annual Pro Bono Challenge, a skills-based flash consulting event where Schwab employees utilize their talents and expertise to support local nonprofit organizations in building capacity to serve the community.

Events, Media & Communications

Stewart Leeth, Regulatory Affairs VP & Chief Sustainability Officer of Smithfield Foods Participates in 2017 GAP Report Panel

Oct 19, 2017 10:05 AM ET

Smithfield’s chief sustainability officer Stewart Leeth joined the conversation and shared Smithfield’s commitment to responsible, innovative solutions for sustainable agriculture, and why this makes good business sense

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Mars' Support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Recognized at Award Ceremony

Oct 19, 2017 9:50 AM ET

Grant F. Reid, CEO and President, Mars, Incorporated received the United Nations Foundation’s Global Leadership Corporate Award on behalf of Mars’ work in supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals at the organization’s Global Leadership Dinner which took place in New York City last night.

Innovation & Technology

HPE Labs VIDEO | How Photonics Can Help Prevent a Digital Energy Crisis

Oct 19, 2017 9:45 AM ET

Data centers are the factories of the 21st century, processing the ever-expanding volumes of information that make the global economy go. But progress comes with a cost. In 2015, data centers used more electricity than the entire United Kingdom, about 400 terawatt-hours—a figure that could triple by 2020, according to a recent study in the journal Challenges.

Research, Reports & Publications

New Study Reveals Lighter Environmental Footprint for Fibers Sourced from Flax and Recycled Clothing

Oct 19, 2017 9:30 AM ET

Leading third-party certifier SCS Global Services (SCS) today announced the release of a groundbreaking Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) comparing the environmental performance of ten different raw material sources of manmade cellulose fiber (MMCF). Commissioned by luxury designer, Stella McCartney, the report is being made publicly available as a resource for all brands, designers and retailers interested in making informed fiber sourcing choices.

Diversity & Inclusion

Barclays | Leading Questions: Anna Kessel

Oct 19, 2017 9:15 AM ET

Interview with Anna Kessel -- sports journalist and the Chair and Co-founder of Women in Football, a network dedicated to supporting and championing women within the sport and lobbying against sexism. Last year she was awarded an MBE for services to journalism and women’s sport.

Sustainable Development Goals

Malnutrition Mapping Project Featured by Harvard Kennedy School

Oct 19, 2017 9:05 AM ET

The Malnutrition Mapping Project, a joint effort by Amway and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), is now featured in a Business Partnership Case Study by the Harvard Kennedy School. Providing a detailed explanation of why partnerships like this one between Amway and GAIN are so important, the case study also highlights the benefits of the data generated by the Malnutrition Mapping Project.

Environment

TakingRoot and Procter & Gamble’s Family Care Brands Host Community Tree Planting in Celebration of NeighborWoods® Month

Oct 19, 2017 8:00 AM ET

TakingRoot, a member of the Arbor Day Foundation’s Alliance for Community Trees program, is partnering with Procter & Gamble’s Family Care brands, Puffs, Charmin and Bounty, to plant 30 trees in celebration of national NeighborWoods® Month. The event will be held at Pleasant Hill Academy, a school with an emphasis on environmental science, as part of a new Outdoor Learning Lab for students and community members.

Innovation & Technology

IFF Launches Re-Imagine…™ Programs to Tap Unmet Consumer Opportunities, Speed Innovation

Oct 18, 2017 5:25 PM ET

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

KeyBank Provides $5.7 Million in Financing for Construction of Affordable Housing for Seniors in Ohio

Oct 18, 2017 5:05 PM ET

KeyBank Community Development Lending & Investment (CDLI) has provided $5.7 million to The Woda Group, Inc. (Woda) for the new construction of Audubon Crossing, located in Dayton, OH. The 50-unit, three-story residential apartment community will be income- and age-restricted to seniors 55 and older with 35-60% AMI.

Innovation & Technology

Scotiabank Partners with NXTP Labs to Access the Most Promising Fintech Start-Ups in Latin America

Oct 18, 2017 4:40 PM ET

Scotiabank announced today a new and innovative partnership between Canada and Latin America'sleading start-up accelerator, NXTP Labs, at the Fintech Conference 2017 in Bogotá, Colombia.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

A Global Passion for Fighting Hunger

Oct 18, 2017 4:15 PM ET

Picture this: It was a brisk, sunny January day in Davos, Switzerland in 2007. Ken Powell, former CEO of General Mills, was attending the World Economic Forum when Kofi Annan, then Secretary-General of the United Nations, challenged Powell and General Mills to help the world’s hungry.

Powell’s answer, ultimately, was to harness what we knew about food and connect with Africa’s small and growing food companies across Africa.

Our food knowledge is deep and wide, and includes solving technical problems, ensuring food safety and developing products.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Las Vegas Sands Corp., Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth Announce Exclusive Private Screening of Youth Homelessness Documentary at Summit 17 on Nov. 2

Oct 18, 2017 4:00 PM ET

Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE: LVS) and Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth (NPHY) today announced that the Intersections: The 2017 Southern Nevada Youth Homelessness Summit will feature an exclusive private screening prior to national mass release of Lost In America, a feature documentary that follows director Rotimi Rainwater's journey to shine a light on youth homelessness in America.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

TCS Wins Gold and Two Silver Stevies® at the 2017 Great Employers Awards

Oct 18, 2017 3:40 PM ET

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), (BSE: 532540, NSE: TCS) a leading global IT services, consulting and business solutions organization, today announced it won three Stevies® at the second annual Great Employers Awards 2017. TCS was recognized with a Gold Stevie® for Achievement in Employee Engagement in the Americas, and two Silver Stevies® for Achievement in Recruitment and Employer of the Year – in the large enterprise and computing industry categories.

Innovation & Technology

Techstars Atlanta’s 2017 Class Has Wow Factor at Demo Day

Oct 18, 2017 3:30 PM ET

The 2017 Techstars Atlanta accelerator program recently culminated with Demo Day, where the 10 startup founders presented their unique businesses to nearly 1,000 investors and community supporters. Demo Day also kicked off the Venture Atlanta conference, which celebrated its 10th anniversary this year.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Blackbaud and Microsoft to Strengthen Strategic Partnership to Digitally Transform the Nonprofit Sector

Oct 18, 2017 3:00 PM ET

As part of bbcon 2017, Blackbaud (Nasdaq: BLKB), the world’s leading cloud software company powering social good, and Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT), plan to expand their partnership in support of their mutual goals to digitally transform the nonprofit sector.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Points of Light Announces 2017 Tribute Award Honorees

Oct 18, 2017 3:00 PM ET

Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, NFL player Coty Sensabaugh and his wife Dominique, and wildlife advocates Jack and Suzi Hanna, will be honored for their service to others at Points of Light’s 2017 Tribute Awards at the Embassy of France on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

New CDPQ Commitments Demonstrate Bold Investment on Climate

Oct 18, 2017 3:00 PM ET

A new strategy announced today by Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, the second largest Canadian pension fund with more than USD $228 billion in assets under management, demonstrates that they are committed to tackling climate change risks and seizing investment opportunities embedded in the low-carbon economy, Ceres said in a statement today.

Events, Media & Communications

2017 Net Impact Conference Invites Participants to Deepen Their "Path to Purpose” in Celebration of 25th Anniversary

Oct 18, 2017 2:30 PM ET

Net Impact, the leading global nonprofit that mobilizes the next generation to use their skills and careers to make a positive impact on the world, will host their 2017 Net Impact Conference in Atlanta from October 26-28 at the Georgia World Congress Center. The Net Impact Conference will gather over 2,000 students and professionals who are committed to making a lasting social and environmental impact now and throughout their careers.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Veteran Leads Platoon of Volunteers in Hurricane Irma Prep and Recovery Work

Oct 18, 2017 2:30 PM ET

After leaving the U.S. Army in 2015, Derek struggled to find purpose outside of the military – but he found his place when he heard about The Mission Continues, a nonprofit that empowers veterans by engaging them in service to the community. Through the organization’s fellowship program, Derek volunteered for six months at Up2Us Sports, where Derek recruited and mentored veteran coaches to give underprivileged youth the opportunity to develop positive relationships with adults. At the conclusion of his fellowship, he was hired full-time by Up2Us.

Education

Cultural and Research Diversity at Kyoto University

Oct 18, 2017 1:55 PM ET

The Japan Amgen Scholars Program gives an opportunity to students from every part of the world to come together and participate in research in different branches of science. This year, I was privileged to be part of the Amgen Scholars 2017 cohort, which consisted of 44 international students and 4 students from Kyoto University and the University of Tokyo.

Social Impact & Volunteering

The Ad Council Launches “CreateForChange” to Connect Creative and Media Professionals Across the Country With Social Causes

Oct 18, 2017 1:15 PM ET

The Ad Council, the nonprofit leader behind iconic and impactful public service campaigns including Smokey Bear and “Love Has No Labels,” joins the Taproot Foundation to announce CreateForChange, a program that connects advertising, media, technology and communications professionals to nonprofit causes.