ESG News from Leading Brands

Research, Reports & Publications

General Motors Corporate Responsibility Newsletter - February 2017

Feb 1, 2017 2:10 PM ET

GREENER VEHICLES

Chevrolet Bolt EV is 2017 North American Car of the Year
Chevrolet Bolt EV is the 2017 North American Car of the Year. The Bolt EV’s recognition marks the fourth time in four years that Chevrolet has received the North American Car of the Year or Truck of the Year award, following the Corvette Stingray and Silverado’s wins in 2014 and the Colorado’s award in 2015.
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Environment

RSPO Makes Significant Progress on Palm Oil Sustainability

Feb 1, 2017 2:00 PM ET

The RSPO has recently released a report highlighting how their sustainability efforts have positively impacted "people, planet and profit" pillars throughout 2016.

Health & Healthcare

Meet Roxy, A Pilot Dog

Feb 1, 2017 1:50 PM ET

In December, we introduced VSP Global employee Renee Emmerson and her inspiring journey. Today, we’d like to introduce Roxy, Renee’s guide dog!

Roxy, a 2-year old Black Labrador, was raised and trained by Pilot Dogs, Inc., in Columbus, Ohio. When she was ready to graduate, Pilot Dogs taught Renee and Roxy how to work together.

Health & Healthcare

CVS Health Announces Support of Women’s Heart Health with $10 Million Commitment to Go Red For Women®

Feb 1, 2017 1:00 PM ET

CVS Health, the nation's largest pharmacy innovation company, today announced a major commitment in support of women’s heart health. As a new national sponsor of the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women® movement, CVS Health has pledged to raise a minimum of $10 million over the next three years to support life-saving cardiovascular research and education.

Diversity & Inclusion

Celebrating African American History

Feb 1, 2017 12:45 PM ET

During the month of February, the United States celebrates National African American History Month, a time to commemorate the many contributions and accomplishments of African Americans nationwide.

Innovation & Technology

Techstars Atlanta Accepting Applications for 2017 Class

Feb 1, 2017 12:30 PM ET

Techstars Atlanta, presented in partnership with Cox Enterprises, is accepting applications for its 2017 class through April 9.

Health & Healthcare

Empire BlueCross BlueShield Foundation Tackled Complex Health Needs in New York in 2016

Feb 1, 2017 12:05 PM ET

The Empire BlueCross BlueShield Foundation works with organizations in Empire’s 28-county service area to help improve the health of New Yorkers. Through our focus on heart health, cancer prevention, prenatal care, diabetes prevention, active lifestyles and behavioral health, the Foundation is teaming with organizations that are setting the standard when it comes to innovative programs that offer long term health solutions.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Allstate Foundation Awards $1.2 Million to Expand Programs for Domestic Violence and Financial Abuse Victims Nationally

Feb 1, 2017 12:00 PM ET

The Allstate Foundation, a leading advocate for victims of domestic violence and financial abuse, announced today $1.2 million in grants awarded to 20 domestic violence programs around the country.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

The UPS Foundation Awards More Than $2.3 Million To Expand Global Volunteerism

Feb 1, 2017 12:00 PM ET

The UPS Foundation, which leads the global citizenship programs for UPS (NYSE: UPS), announced it is awarding grants totaling more than $2.3 million to non-profit organizations to increase global volunteerism. Grants will support initiatives to bolster global communities, including disaster preparedness and recovery, youth literacy and skills development and veterans training.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Republic Services Promotes Recycling and Safe Driving at Preview Las Vegas

Feb 1, 2017 11:00 AM ET

Republic Services of Southern Nevada recycling coordinator, Jeremy Walters joined hundreds of businesses at the Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce Preview Las Vegas event recently held at the Thomas & Mack Center. Recycling and safe driving tips were among the priorities promoted at Republic's booth.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

2017 AAAS/Subaru Science Books & Film Prize Winners Announced

Feb 1, 2017 10:15 AM ET

Readers will learn how to match a tooth to the correct mammal, discover the intelligence of crows, deepen their passion for plants and gain insights into wildfire-prone terrain just by picking up any of the winners of this year’s American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)/Subaru Science Books & Film Prizes for Excellence in Science Books.

Education

Edison International Supports Environmental Education with "Discovery Agents" app

Feb 1, 2017 10:05 AM ET

Beginning in 2013, Edison International has provided funding support for the development of Discovery Agents “missions” aimed at helping young people ages 8-to-14 connect with nature, educate them about their local environment, and promote physical activity. Discovery Agents is a mobile game application (“app”) developed by Community Partners, a non-profit organization, for the U.S. Get to Know Program.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Sueños de Fútbol de Niños y Jóvenes

Feb 1, 2017 9:45 AM ET

"Sueños de Fútbol" es una historia de aspiraciones basada en las posibilidades infinitas de los niños y jóvenes amantes del fútbol que sueñan convertirse en sus ídolos.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Kids and Youth Fútbol Dreams

Feb 1, 2017 9:45 AM ET

Fútbol Dreams is an aspirational story grounded in the infinite possibilities within all children. The role of Fútbol Heroes inspiring children to be the best they can be is a universal fact.

Events, Media & Communications

Dave Zirin on Tom Brady and ConflateGate

Feb 1, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Innovation & Technology

Data and Planning Drive the Growth of Smart Cities and Utilities

Feb 1, 2017 9:00 AM ET

The Black & Veatch 2017 Strategic Directions: Smart City/Smart Utility Report investigates the progress made by communities and utilities as they continue their evolution toward smarter infrastructure. Around the globe, cities and utilities are beginning to see tangible results from preliminary efforts and are gaining confidence in what a smart city can be.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Hewlett Packard Enterprise and HP Inc. Recognized as World Leaders for Supplier Climate Engagement

Feb 1, 2017 8:30 AM ET

As a global organization with a supply chain that spans the world, we are aware of—and embrace—our responsibility to use our scale, influence, and experience to help our suppliers improve their environmental responsibility standards and performance.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

How Can Businesses Build Effective Partnerships with NGOs?

Feb 1, 2017 8:15 AM ET

Now more than ever, businesses (and their partners) are leaning on their expertise and innovations, and not just philanthropy, to solve global problems. At the same time, relationships have become more than a “name only” association between organizations; there needs to be a 100 percent transparent partnership.

Diversity & Inclusion

Barclays: Bridging the Careers Gap

Feb 1, 2017 8:10 AM ET

“The opportunity to reach 16,000 students as a careers champion is really exciting,” says education adviser Sian Gresswell, after completing the first workshop in the new Careers and Employability Leadership Programme developed by education charity Teach First and LifeSkills created with Barclays.

Health & Healthcare

School Food Gets Real

Feb 1, 2017 8:10 AM ET

If the thought of school cafeteria food conjures memories of cooked-’til-they’re-slimy green beans, grease-soaked pizza and gravy-covered mystery meat, here’s some news to savor. Kids in Austin today are enjoying an entirely different school-lunch experience.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

21st Century Fox Celebrates ‘National Girls & Women in Sports Day’

Jan 31, 2017 8:00 PM ET

On February 1, 21st Century Fox joins partner Women’s Sports Foundation and supporters around the United States in celebrating the 31st annual National Women and Girls in Sports Day.

Green Infrastructure

BRE and IWBI Release Guidance to Streamline Joint Certification of BREEAM and WELL

Jan 31, 2017 6:05 PM ET

BRE and the International WELL Building Institute™ pbc (IWBI™) have today published a briefing paper which outlines how Certified BREEAM credits may be used to demonstrate compliance with the WELL Building Standard™ (WELL) post-occupation.

Green Infrastructure

Health and Sustainability: No Longer an Either/Or Equation

Jan 31, 2017 6:05 PM ET

A new guidance document that compares and aligns the Green Star and WELL Building Standard™ (WELL) rating systems will support building owners looking to boost the sustainability of their assets and support the health and wellbeing of people inside the buildings.

Events, Media & Communications

New Survey: What do Employees Think about Giving, Volunteering and CSR?

Jan 31, 2017 4:45 PM ET

The culture around employee giving and engagement is dynamic. That’s appropriate, given how diverse employees are, from the causes they want to support, to the ways in which they want to support those causes, to the methods they use to share their experiences – it’s a vast and ever-changing landscape.

Energy

Quality of LifeHacks for Keeping Your Energy Costs Low in the Workplace

Jan 31, 2017 4:40 PM ET

Winter brings long nights, cold temperatures—and high energy bills. All of that artificial heat and light uses up energy resources and costs a lot. While we’re often focused on not running up our heating bills at home, it’s just as important to be aware of skyrocketing costs at the office. Here are a few areas to focus on when cutting costs.