ESG News from Leading Brands

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Rum - and Goodwill - Flows Again at Bacardi Following Hurricane Maria

Oct 17, 2017 3:10 PM ET

Rum is flowing again in Puerto Rico at the Bacardi distillery following the devastation of Hurricane Maria.

And so is the goodwill from Bacardi employees around the world, who have joined together to support their colleagues affected by the hurricane.

Health & Healthcare

Sodexo Announces Integrated Contract Awards from Vizient, Inc.

Oct 17, 2017 3:00 PM ET

Sodexo, world leader of Quality of Life services, announced today it has been awarded integrated contracts with Vizient, Inc., the nation’s largest member-driven health care performance improvement company in the country for managed hospital services. The agreements offer Vizient members enhanced value for Food Services, Environmental Services, Facilities Management and Clinical Technology Management, and incorporates enhanced analytics and resources designed to meet the challenges faced by health care providers in today’s health care market.

Research, Reports & Publications

Northern Trust Core Aspects: Governance and Ethics

Oct 17, 2017 2:15 PM ET

Connie L. Lindsey, Executive Vice President and Head of Corporate Social Responsibility and Global Diversity & Inclusion, is responsible for the design and execution of a comprehensive CSR strategy.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Five Daily Point of Light Awardees to Be Honored by Five Former Presidents for Disaster Relief Work

Oct 17, 2017 2:00 PM ET

Points of Light will award five Daily Point of Light Awards to volunteers who performed outstanding work in their communities following the devastation of recent hurricanes. The volunteers will be recognized on Oct. 21 during the “Deep From the Heart: The One America Appeal” concert benefitting communities hit by recent natural disasters. The volunteers will be recognized on stage with the five living former U.S. presidents, including Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Adoption Benefits Come in All Sizes

Oct 17, 2017 2:00 PM ET

The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is excited to announce its 2017 Best Adoption Friendly Workplaces by size.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

South Florida Resident Uses Tech Skills to Support Harvey, Irma Relief Efforts

Oct 17, 2017 1:45 PM ET

After Hurricane Harvey hit Texas, Leah Halbina reached out to friends in the Houston area to see how she could help. When she found out about Sketch City, an open, nonprofit community of technology advocates and civic hackers that used technology to organize rescue efforts, help victims locate their nearest shelter and satisfy other pressing needs, she jumped in to help. Shortly after, Leah had to use the same technology in her home state of Florida as Hurricane Irma approached and made landfall.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Habitat for Humanity to Aid More Than 6,000 Families in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico in Long-Term Housing Recovery

Oct 17, 2017 1:00 PM ET

Habitat for Humanity is commencing the long-term phase of its Habitat Hammers Back hurricane recovery initiative, pledging to help more than 6,000 families across regions impacted by hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria.

The nonprofit housing leader is seeking to raise $100 million to support the repair, rebuilding and new construction of homes to assist low- and moderate-income families in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico.

Environment

Forest Management Helps Sustain Maine Farm

Oct 17, 2017 12:45 PM ET

Bill Randall is working hard to sustain the 400-acre family farm he inherited from his father. “A village idiot can have anything given to him. It takes a genius to keep it,” Bill jokes. The Sappi Forestry program is helping Bill manage the land for the long term.

Events, Media & Communications

New Research: Employee Donor Attitudes About Workplace Giving and Volunteering

Oct 17, 2017 12:40 PM ET

Today’s workers are more transient, diverse, and tech savvy than their predecessors. They are also working in an era of greater uncertainty, as entire industries are being transformed by technology and globalization. Against this backdrop, America’s Charities has conducted a new survey of U.S. workers that gauges attitudes toward giving and volunteering in the workplace.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

TeamCITGO Lemont Awarded Volunteer Group of the Year

Oct 17, 2017 12:00 PM ET

In September, the CITGO Lemont TeamCITGO volunteer organization was awarded the Volunteer Group of the Year by the MorningStar Mission in Joliet, Ill. at its annual volunteer banquet.

Innovation & Technology

GM Advances Self-Driving Vehicle Deployment With Acquisition of LIDAR Developer

Oct 17, 2017 11:55 AM ET

General Motors Co (NYSE: GM) announced it acquired LIDAR technology company Strobe, Inc. As part of the deal, Strobe’s engineering talent joins GM’s Cruise Automation team to define and develop next-generation LIDAR solutions for self-driving vehicles.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

VH1 Save The Music Foundation Launches New Partnership to Strengthen Music Programs in Public Schools at 20th Anniversary Gala

Oct 17, 2017 11:35 AM ET

VH1 Save The Music unveiled a new grant program that will broaden the range of opportunities for students across the country and advance the Foundation’s mission to make music available in every public school in America. Introduced by Steve Aoki, the Music Tech Grant is planned as an investment in American public high schools to fund: the hardware, software, and musical instruments needed for audio engineering, recording, and production. Khaled also announced that he and GET SCHOOLED would launch the Win More Music Campaign for the 2017-18 school year, in partnership with the Foundation.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Volunteers Backbone of Making Wishes Come True

Oct 17, 2017 11:30 AM ET

It was a special day for AJ, a 15-year-old from Virginia. He would finally get his wish for a shopping spree. As colorful confetti fell from the sky and a crowd cheered him on, AJ entered the shopping mall armed with several gift cards, spending money and a bright smile. It was a dream wish for the teenager who had overcome so much in his battle with cystic fibrosis.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

100,000 Strong in the Americas Innovation Fund Announces Grant Winning Institutions

Oct 17, 2017 11:00 AM ET

The U.S. Department of State, Partners of the Americas, and NAFSA: Association of International Educators announced today the latest 100,000 Strong in the Americas Innovation Fund grant winners sponsored by MetLife Foundation.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

How Johnson & Johnson Is Helping to Give Hope to the Youngest Syrian Refugees

Oct 17, 2017 10:30 AM ET

Responsible Production & Consumption

My Green Lab Launches Environmental Impact Factor Label for Laboratory Products

Oct 17, 2017 10:30 AM ET

My Green Lab is pleased to announce the launch of ACT, the first environmental impact factor label for laboratory products. ACT (accountability, consistency, transparency) is designed to provide critical information on the environmental impact of laboratory products.

Energy

Seventy-Five Percent of Schneider Electric Revenues Come with Eco Labeled Products

Oct 17, 2017 10:25 AM ET

Life cycle assessment (LCA) has gained significant traction in BUILDING sector in the last 10 years as a tool for evaluating the environmental performance of products. That’s what a last survey done by Schneider Electric with more than 1500 customers around the world shows.

Environment

Domtar Sustainability - Trucks, Trains, and Ships - Moving Products to Customers More Efficiently

Oct 17, 2017 10:15 AM ET

How do you move your products directly to customers with trucks while using as little fuel as trains? Use both by shipping your products in an intermodal container, which can be moved by both trucks and trains.

Health & Healthcare

At Pomonok Community Center in Queens, Aramark Chef Hosts Food Discovery

Oct 17, 2017 10:10 AM ET

More than 80 Aramark team members volunteered to support Pomonok Community Center in Queens, NY, on Aramark Building Community Day (ABC Day), the company’s global day of service, bringing health and wellness education and workforce readiness programs to families in Queens. In partnership with Pomonok, volunteers hosted a food discovery experience, led by Executive Chef Patrick Schaeffer, from Citi Field. Volunteers also renoved the center's food pantry, and revitalized both indoor and outdoor spaces.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Sustainable Investing: From Possibilities to Probabilities

Oct 17, 2017 10:05 AM ET

We need to consciously shape a revolution in the way we do business and govern and organize societies if we are to build a sustainable capitalism capable of delivering inclusive growth. We will need a "Sustainability Revolution" equal in significance to the Industrial Revolution that ushered in the modern period.

Energy

National Grid Supports Extensive Lighting Upgrade at Cummins Inc.

Oct 17, 2017 10:05 AM ET

Events, Media & Communications

Sustainable Brands Spotlights SB’17 Copenhagen Program

Oct 17, 2017 10:00 AM ET

Sustainable Brands® reveals the full program and networking highlights for its upcoming conference, SB’17 Copenhagen. Between October 30th - November 1st, nearly 400 brand leaders and sustainability strategists will gather at the Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel in Copenhagen, Denmark to discuss the business opportunity for brands to elevate brand value and loyalty by recognizing a shift in societal aspirations.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Congrats to the 2017 Best Economic Empowerment Program Finalists!

Oct 17, 2017 10:00 AM ET

The Best Economic Empowerment Program Corporate Citizenship Award recognizes businesses and chambers that create economic opportunity for people and communities around the world. Read on to learn more about the significant, positive impacts these businesses have had in communities, locally and globally.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

EICC Becomes the Responsible Business Alliance

Oct 17, 2017 10:00 AM ET

Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition (EICC) becomes the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA)

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

It's Likely That Your Favorite Nonprofit Wants 'Gifts,' Not Just Checks. Here's the Difference.

Oct 17, 2017 10:00 AM ET

What if you gave of your expertise as part of your philanthropic mission? For instance, instead of giving $10,000, you could donate $10,000 in logistical support or other help to solve back-end problems and streamline the organization’s processes. PepsiCo has successfully put this strategy into practice.