ESG News from Leading Brands

Environment

De Beers' Victor Mine Plants 166,000 Trees and Willow Stakes

Sep 18, 2017 9:30 PM ET

It involves the planting of more than 166,000 trees and willow stakes – the first time anyone has undertaken a programme of this kind in the James Bay Lowlands in north-eastern Ontario.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Captain Morgan Parent Company Diageo Pledges $1 Million to Hurricane Relief in US Virgin Islands

Sep 18, 2017 9:15 PM ET

Captain Morgan parent company Diageo has pledged $1,000,000 to support relief and recovery efforts in the US Virgin Islands as they face an unprecedented storm season. The funds announced are in addition to the $250,000 Diageo and its brands have committed to hurricane relief support over the past month.

Sustainable Development Goals

UN Secretary-General and Global CEOs Accelerate Shift to Sustainable Finance

Sep 18, 2017 8:35 PM ET

Adopting a new principle-based approach to global finance that mobilizes massive new investments to achieve the Global Goals was the topic of discussion today at the 9th annual United Nations Private Sector Forum during the 72nd Regular Session of the UN General Assembly. Convening more than 300 Chief Executives, Heads of State and Government, UN and civil society leaders, the Forum focused on the theme of Financing the 2030 Agenda: Unlocking Prosperity, with a programme that identified a broad range of solutions that all sectors must take to drive capital towards achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Major Leaguers Eduardo Escobar, Steven Matz, Buster Posey, Anthony Rizzo, David Robertson & Mike Trout Selected by Fans as Division Finalists for 2017 Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award

Sep 18, 2017 5:30 PM ET

Thousands of baseball fans participated in a poll on MLBPlayers.com between September 12 and 17 to determine which players inspire others to higher levels of achievement by their on-field performances and contributions to their communities.

Education

Deloitte’s RightStep Helps Kids Stay on the College Path

Sep 18, 2017 5:00 PM ET

Countless studies have shown that individuals with a college degree will do much better financially over the course of their careers than those without. That’s good news for those who graduate college, especially as the degree will be required for the bulk of new jobs the U.S. economy will create in the coming years.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Republic Services Returns to Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America Indices

Sep 18, 2017 4:45 PM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Daughtry Boosts Habitat for Humanity’s Response to Hurricanes Harvey and Irma

Sep 18, 2017 4:30 PM ET

Rock band Daughtry is making a major contribution to Habitat Hammers Back, the initiative effort helping to repair and rebuild in the aftermath of hurricanes Harvey and Irma. The band is donating $50,000 and is encouraging their fans to contribute as well.

Social Impact & Volunteering

After Hurricane Irma, Bloomberg Heads to USVI to Raise Awareness

Sep 18, 2017 4:05 PM ET

St. John and St. Thomas, two islands in the U.S. Virgin Islands, were devastated by Hurricane Irma. A week later, the recovery efforts are just getting underway, thanks to private efforts.

Media & Communications

Webinar: How 3M, Williams-Sonoma and SupplyShift Leverage Data to Transform Supply Chains Across All Tiers

Sep 18, 2017 3:00 PM ET

Ethical Corporation is running a live webinar on how to transform data across every tier in your supply chain.

Join the 60-minute webinar next September 26th at 7am PST (3pm UK/ 10am EST) with 3M, Williams-Sonoma and SupplyShift here.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

UN Agency IFAD and Mars Incorporated Commit to Working Together to Improve the Livelihoods of Smallholder Farmers in Developing Countries

Sep 18, 2017 3:00 PM ET

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Mars Incorporated signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today to work to increase incomes and economic opportunities for thousands of smallholder farmers in developing countries.

Environment

VMware Steps Closer to 100% Renewables with EMEA and US

Sep 18, 2017 2:45 PM ET

VMware is proud to join the growing number of companies committing to 100% renewable energy. We believe that meeting the challenges of global climate change requires speed, ambition and innovation — attributes that are embedded in our DNA. As such, we are actively working to build a price for GHG emissions into our business and achieve 100% renewable energy by 2020.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Visa Inc. Recognized as Leader in Corporate Sustainability

Sep 18, 2017 2:35 PM ET

Visa (NYSE:V) today announced the company has been named to the 2017 Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index (DJSI), one of the most prestigious indices for corporate responsibility and sustainability performance.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

LBG Canada Data Stories: Return on Program Management Investment (ROMI)

Sep 18, 2017 2:10 PM ET

Throughout the summer of 2017, many companies seem to be focused on the ROI of program management investment (ROMI). This would include investment in people, technology and communications (among other things) toward achieving community investment, volunteering and giving objectives.

Environment

Ask an Arborist: Why Do I Need to Prune?

Sep 18, 2017 2:00 PM ET

This is part one of a three-part dormant season pruning series. Watch part two, what are the rules of pruning to learn the 5 rules for form and function and part three, The ABC’s of Pruning.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Perseverence Pays Off in Huehuetenango

Sep 18, 2017 1:40 PM ET

Health & Healthcare

September Is National Food Safety Month

Sep 18, 2017 1:30 PM ET

ServSafe is excited to be celebrating the 23rd year of National Food Safety Month (NFSM)! This year's theme focuses on The Culture of Food Safety. As a focal point within the restaurant industry, food safety is now synonymous with an operation's reputation.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

From Norway to the Gulf Region: GRI Standards Launch Events Continue Across the Globe

Sep 18, 2017 1:00 PM ET

With events in over 20 countries, the GRI Standards launches have generated leading-edge discussions on emerging topics in sustainability reporting. This week's launch event in Abu Dhabi will discuss the major strides in green development in the Gulf region, with both policymakers and businesses taking action to move past their traditional reliance on the oil and natural gas sectors.

Environment

Water Intake, Quality a Vital Issue at Boeing

Sep 18, 2017 12:15 PM ET

Boeing is a careful steward of one of the planet’s most precious natural resources: water. In our operations, we focus on innovative ways to protect and improve water quality for the benefit of the environment and the communities where we live and work.

Research, Reports & Publications

Announcing the 2017 Cone Gen Z CSR Study: How to Speak Z

Sep 18, 2017 12:05 PM ET

Gen Z has gotten a bad rap. Yes – their faces may be glued to their smartphones, but don’t mistake that for a disinterest in what’s happening in the world around them. This generation is a force to be reckoned with – using their digital devices to spread social and environmental messages far and wide. But they’re not going it alone – they expect companies to be their partners in change. Companies: it’s time to enlist Gen Z to share your CSR message.

Responsible Production & Consumption

97 Percent of Brazilian Consumers Demand Ingredient Transparency

Sep 18, 2017 12:00 PM ET

SC Johnson today announced plans to make its global ingredient transparency program available to consumers in Latin America in 2018. This is welcome news to many who want more ingredient transparency. A recent survey* conducted by the company found that 97 percent of consumers in Brazil believe that ingredient transparency is important.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Yum! Brands Launches Innovative “Grow Yourself Week” Employee Development Program

Sep 18, 2017 11:30 AM ET

Yum! Brands today launched its Grow Yourself Week program for corporate employees based in Louisville as part of the Company’s ongoing investment in its people and culture. The week-long program offers more than 30 interactive professional and personal development courses designed to build the capability of the Company’s employees.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Former U.S. Diplomat and Congressman Tom Perriello to Keynote CFSI Annual Conference

Sep 18, 2017 11:15 AM ET

The Conflict-Free Sourcing Initiative (CFSI), a coalition of leading companies dedicated to improving the security and human rights conditions in their minerals supply chains, today announced that former U.S. diplomat and Congressman Tom Perriello will provide the keynote address at CFSI’s annual conference in Santa Clara, California on Oct. 19, 2017.

Environment

UPS First Commercial Customer in U.S. to Use New Daimler Electric Delivery Truck

Sep 18, 2017 11:00 AM ET

UPS (NYSE: UPS) today announced it will place in service three medium-duty electric trucks from Daimler Trucks Fuso brand, called the eCanter. The company will be the first commercial customer in the U.S. to use this series-produced vehicle. UPS will deploy the trucks in the U.S. at locations to be determined. The new EV trucks build on UPS’s Rolling Laboratory fleet of more than 8,500 alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles.

Environment

Carlsberg Group Chairman Flemming Besenbacher Emphasises Need for Business Leadership to Combat Climate Change During Speech at Climate Week NYC

Sep 18, 2017 10:45 AM ET

Speaking in New York at the opening of Climate Week NYC, Carlsberg Chairman Flemming Besenbacher called for businesses to adopt ambitious targets and actions in order to create necessary change.

Environment

CSRHub's Cynthia Figge to Speak at 28th Annual SRI Conference

Sep 18, 2017 10:45 AM ET

CSRHub Co-Founder and CEO, Cynthia Figge, will be speaking at the 28th Annual SRI Conference. This event will be held on November 1-3rd in San Diego, CA. During this conference, thought leaders, investors and investment professionals from all corners of the Sustainable, Responsible, Impact (SRI) investing universe convene to gain and share knowledge and strategies that align financial performance with positive change.