ESG News from Leading Brands

Social Impact & Volunteering

Walmart Expands Military Leave of Absence Policy for its Associates, Removing Barriers to Service

May 23, 2017 11:05 AM ET

Today, Walmart announced expansions to its military leave of absence policy, offering differential pay to all eligible military associates taking on assignments lasting more than three days and through the duration of leave – including basic training. Walmart has offered differential pay since 2008.

Environment

Tactics of Diversion: Measuring and Reporting Zero Waste Targets

May 23, 2017 10:30 AM ET

Waste implies squandered resources, be they time, money or materials. Managing money and time are core competencies of any successful business. But somehow, trash and garbage have gotten a free pass. Fortunately, that is changing. As companies embrace one form or other of “zero waste” commitments, the business case for efficient and sustainable resource flow management is catching on.

Environment

HP Joins Other Leading Companies in Support of BSR's Sustainable Fuel Buyers' Principles

May 23, 2017 10:05 AM ET

HP is committed to accelerating the transition to sustainable, low-carbon fuel and related technologies for road freight. We join with other leading companies, like Walmart Stores, UPS and IKEA, in supporting BSR's Sustainable Fuel Buyers' Principles.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

LA Galaxy and Southern New Hampshire University Expand Relationship to Focus On Giving Back to Los Angeles Community

May 23, 2017 10:00 AM ET

The LA Galaxy and Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), a private non-profit university and the exclusive education partner of the club and Major League Soccer, are expanding their relationship to focus on giving back and supporting the Los Angeles community. As a part of the expansion, SNHU is partnering with The LA Galaxy Foundation to participate in three community initiatives during the course of the 2017 season.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Q&A with Mike Lyons Head of Corporate & Institutional Banking

May 23, 2017 9:45 AM ET

We know that corporate responsibility will continue to grow in importance, especially as technology and environmental issues evolve. Therefore, we will continue to learn and make thoughtful decisions as we go, and we will continue to engage with our constituents to better understand what’s most important to them.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Sands ECO360 Launches Annual Global Clean Plate Challenge

May 23, 2017 9:35 AM ET

Las Vegas Sands’ Team Members around the world are taking part in the annual Sands ECO360 Clean Plate Challenge, a global campaign designed to reduce food waste and to improve the company’s worldwide waste diversion rate.

Research, Reports & Publications

Empowering an Industry Responsive Computer Science Education

May 23, 2017 9:30 AM ET

Research, Reports & Publications

MetLife Foundation Annual Report 2016 | Our Approach

May 23, 2017 9:15 AM ET

MetLife Foundation designed its financial inclusion strategy after extensive consultation with global leaders in the industry. We wanted to ensure that our work built on, rather than duplicated, efforts already underway.

Events, Media & Communications

Community Engagement Professionals Gather to Learn from and Celebrate Bold Leaders Making Brave Moves in the Field of Corporate Societal Engagement

May 23, 2017 9:15 AM ET

CECP: The CEO Force for Good will convene the 2017 CECP Summit: Brave Leaders. Bold Moves May 23-24, 2017 in NYC, bringing together 250 corporate leaders who drive societal investment strategies at the world’s largest companies. Attendees will learn and connect with the trailblazers making big, bold moves in a complex business climate – those who are taking charge and re-defining ‘purpose’ and success for themselves. CECP is a coalition of more than 200 companies and CEOs that believes that a company’s social strategy--how it engages with key stakeholders including employees, communities, investors, and customers--determines company success.

Events, Media & Communications

Community Engagement Professionals Gather to Learn from and Celebrate Bold Leaders Making Brave Moves in the Field of Corporate Societal Engagement

May 23, 2017 9:15 AM ET

CECP: The CEO Force for Good will convene the 2017 CECP Summit: Brave Leaders. Bold Moves May 23-24, 2017 in NYC, bringing together 250 corporate leaders who drive societal investment strategies at the world’s largest companies. Attendees will learn and connect with the trailblazers making big, bold moves in a complex business climate – those who are taking charge and re-defining ‘purpose’ and success for themselves. CECP is a coalition of more than 200 companies and CEOs that believes that a company’s social strategy--how it engages with key stakeholders including employees, communities, investors, and customers--determines company success.

Research, Reports & Publications

Charting a New Course in Sustainability Reporting

May 23, 2017 9:05 AM ET

There’s currently a debate brewing among sustainability and corporate responsibility professionals about the best way to report CSR and environmental information. Is a sustainability report the proper time for storytelling or do readers just want the facts? Truth is, we are often trying to reach multiple (and different audiences) with one report. This year, JetBlue decided to revisit how we report our environmental, social and purpose-driven initiatives.

Environment

Sustaining Natural Resources, One Project at a Time

May 23, 2017 9:05 AM ET

Imagine a world where trees, wildlife and open spaces weren’t on the decline. A world where we all made a conscious effort to preserve natural habitats. By conserving communities and educating future generations, we can bring a greener earth from imagination to reality.

Environment

Fetzer Vineyards and Full Sail Brewing: Pioneers in Wastewater Recycling

May 23, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Water is at the heart of most things we love. Just ask a vintner or a brewmeister.

That delightful glass of Pinot Noir is the product of a vintner’s hard work and keen sense of terroir (the climate, environment and geographic attributes that give wine its character). But it wouldn’t exist without water.

Research, Reports & Publications

Landmark Research Shows Americans are Redefining the “Good Life”

May 23, 2017 9:00 AM ET

In spite of a chaotic political arena, a majority of Americans share the view that The Good Life is defined by connections to people and planet more than by material wealth and consumption. Furthermore, Americans are looking to brands to take the lead in showing them how they can make a more fulfilling life according to a US study of 1,000 adults 18+ conducted in April 2017. The Enabling the Good Life Report from Sustainable Brands and Harris Poll released today shows the dramatic shift in American attitudes and reflects a gap between people’s new aspirations and the ways business responds.

Research, Reports & Publications

ArcelorMittal Publishes Its 2016 United States Integrated Report

May 23, 2017 9:00 AM ET

ArcelorMittal USA is proud to announce the publication of its annual 2016 United States Integrated Report. Since 2009, ArcelorMittal has reported on its corporate responsibility and sustainability initiatives in the United States.

Sustainable Development Goals

Unreasonable Impact | Changing the Way the World Grows Food: Q&A with Agrivi

May 23, 2017 8:45 AM ET

Of the 570 million farms worldwide, 90 percent are run by individuals or by a family and rely on family labor for operations. For these small-scale farmers, the greatest obstacle to productivity and profit is often a lack of access to basic knowledge about best practices.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Mike Bloomberg Delivers Remarks at Sierra Club’s 125th Anniversary Trail Blazers Ball

May 22, 2017 4:30 PM ET

Events, Media & Communications

JetBlue Honors Public Servants For Inspiring Humanity®

May 22, 2017 4:15 PM ET

JetBlue, New York’s Hometown Airline®, has a long history of supporting those who serve their communities. Today public servants from New York and abroad joined forces for a good cause. JetBlue and the British Metropolitan Police Department partnered for their eighth annual plane pull at New York’s JFK Airport. “Bobbies” from London’s police department competed against teams including JetBlue crewmembers and members from local authorities including the NYPD and FDNY to raise funds for childhood cancer research.

Social Impact & Volunteering

12-Year-Old Cancer Patient Advocates for Hospitalized Kids

May 22, 2017 4:05 PM ET

"Kids need someone to represent them, someone who will share their voice, and I love being that person!" said Michaeyla Nadeau of Virginia Beach, Virginia, who volunteers as a patient advocate for children with cancer and other illnesses.

Environment

For Sustainable Business, Collaboration is the New Competition

May 22, 2017 3:50 PM ET

Consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies often find themselves boxed in by customer demand. On one hand, more shoppers say they want to purchase more sustainable products, but many are not willing to pay a premium. And although most consumers still base their purchases largely on price and performance, the trends are clear: Environmental sustainability is expected. This applies to not only products, but also packaging.

Research, Reports & Publications

Nestlé Purina PetCare Company Supports The Nature Conservancy's National Soil Health Initiative with $1 Million Commitment

May 22, 2017 3:35 PM ET

Today, Nestlé Purina PetCare Company announced its support for The Nature Conservancy's reThink Soil initiative, a national, collaborative effort to help farmers improve soil health on croplands across the United States, by committing $1 million over five years. Widespread adoption of soil health practices could provide unprecedented economic benefits for U.S. farmers and businesses, as well as significant conservation benefits for generations to come.

Environment

Whirlpool Corporation Showcases Product Innovations and Research for Sustainable Living at Sustainable Brands Conference 2017

May 22, 2017 3:30 PM ET

Starting today at the Sustainable Brands 2017 conference in Detroit, Whirlpool Corporation is celebrating its 47-year leadership in sustainability and product excellence. The company will be showcasing the waste-reducing benefits of the latest products from WLabs, the innovation incubator of Whirlpool Corporation, as well as providing a virtual look into its living research laboratory, ReNEWW House.

Sustainable Development Goals

Contact Your PA Senator to Support the Proposed Budget for Intellectual Disability and Autism Services

May 22, 2017 2:40 PM ET

Contact your Pennsylvania Senator to support a 2017-2018 budget that invests in intellectual disability and autism services.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Timberland Fosters Community Spirit in Retail Stores Nationwide

May 22, 2017 2:30 PM ET

For global outdoor lifestyle brand Timberland, community is a key pillar for corporate responsibility along with making products responsibly and protecting and restoring the outdoors. Employees receive up to 40 paid hours per year to participate in service to their community, and have served more than one million hours to date. At the company’s Stratham, New Hampshire world headquarters, messaging boards throughout the building proudly display Timberland’s heritage of service and promote new ways for employees to engage in the community.

Diversity & Inclusion

Women Are Changing the Face of Facilities Management

May 22, 2017 12:45 PM ET

Facilities management has long been a male-dominated career field. In fact, it may be even more lopsided than many other male-dominated fields: In facilities management (FM), men outnumber women in leadership roles by nine to one, according to a recent survey from the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources.

That’s slowly starting to change, however, as a growing number of women are beginning careers as facilities managers. It’s a welcome change, and one that’s likely to improve the quality of life in many facilities.