ESG News from Leading Brands

Events, Media & Communications

Quo Vadis for Corporate Sustainability and Sustainable Investment for This New Year?

Jan 12, 2017 12:50 PM ET

At the outset of the Year 2016 we were seeing so many (mostly) positive trends converging in a critical mass that spelled out "s-u-c-c-e-s-s-f-u-l" year ahead for sustainability professionals, whether they toiled in the corporate sector, in the capital markets, in NGO offices, in the public sector, and so on.

Environment

Driving the Next Phase of Corporate Sustainability: the Private Sector

Jan 12, 2017 12:30 PM ET

The nation’s first privately-run electric bus fleet began service in Chicago in December 2016, and it's not run by the City of Chicago—it’s run by the owners of Aon Center and Prudential Plaza.

Environment

Indonesia's Foresty Products Exports Achieve Significant Milestone

Jan 12, 2017 12:00 PM ET

Nov. 15, 2016 marked a historic day for the forestry sector in Indonesia and for timber legality efforts globally. Indonesia became the world’s first country to export forest products licensed under the EU’s Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Action Plan. This means that Indonesia’s forest products now automatically meet the strict requirements of the EU Timber Regulation, designed to prohibit illegal timber products from entering the EU. This milestone is particularly gratifying to me. As a member of the SCS Forest Conservation Program for more than a decade, I know first-hand the environmental and social costs of illegal forestry practices... https://www.scsglobalservices.com/blog/indonesia-becomes-worlds-first-country-to-export-forestry-products-under-eus-strict-timber

Education

VIDEO: Being the Change – Women in Tech

Jan 12, 2017 11:55 AM ET

At AT&T, more than 84,200 women work to transform the way we connect with our world. These women are executives, engineers, marketers, sales people, financial professionals, installation technician and attorneys. They are innovators. They are mentors. And they’re leaders.

Environment

Tears Don't Mend Broken China

Jan 12, 2017 11:50 AM ET

I’ve always been clumsy. There were many broken dishes and glasses in my childhood. My Mom was always kind about it. She’d say, “Tears don’t mend broken China.” She had other similar phrases I remember (e.g., “If you get a load of lemons, it is time to make lemonade!”), but the lesson was always Midwestern positivism. Don’t sit around moaning about what can’t be fixed—keep moving forward and don’t let your own failures hold you back.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Countdown To Comcast Cares Day: 100 Days

Jan 12, 2017 11:25 AM ET

On April 22, 2017, we will celebrate that commitment through Comcast Cares Day as more than 100,000 Comcast NBCUniversal volunteers join together to make change happen across the country and around the world.

Innovation & Technology

Mayor Kasim Reed, 10 corporations, Georgia Tech launch Engage, an accelerator program and venture fund

Jan 12, 2017 11:00 AM ET

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, the Georgia Institute of Technology and the CEOs of 10 of Atlanta’s leading corporations today jointly announced the launch of Engage, a mentorship-driven accelerator program and venture fund.

The Atlanta-based Engage accelerator is open to startups across the country, with a focus placed on mentoring and market access strategies. Applications will be available in early 2017, with programming scheduled to begin in the spring. Up to 48 startups could go through the program in the first three years.

Social Impact & Volunteering

CITGO Raises Funds for Local Community Programs with 2016 Spirit Pump Initiative

Jan 12, 2017 10:15 AM ET

CITGO Petroleum Corporation, along with its Marketers and Retailers, raised approximately $30,000 in 2016 through the installation of “Spirit Pumps” at participating CITGO stations across the nation. These specially wrapped, branded fuel pumps were operational at different times throughout the year to raise money for a variety of education, charitable and community service programs.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Antea Group Named Member Partner of Manufacturing USA’s REMADE Institute on Clean Energy

Jan 12, 2017 9:40 AM ET

Antea Group has been named a member partner of the Reducing Embodied-Energy and Decreasing Emissions (“REMADE”) Institute by the U.S. Department of Energy. REMADE, part of the multiagency network known as Manufacturing USA, will work to find new and less expensive ways to reuse, recycle, and remanufacture materials such as metals, fibers, polymers, and electronic waste, aiming to achieve a 50-percent improvement in overall energy efficiency in U.S. manufacturing by 2027.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Public Consultation on the Latest AA1000 AccountAbility Principles to Open in Late-January 2017

Jan 12, 2017 9:30 AM ET

AccountAbility will open the latest revision of the AccountAbility Principles, the AA1000AP (2017) for public consultation on the 26th of January 2017. Upon completion of the public consultation and consideration of feedback received, the AA1000AP (2017) will be updated, finalised and replace the current AA1000 AccountAbility Principles Standard (AA1000APS 2008) as the core foundation and “Guiding Principles” of the AA1000 series. The AA1000AP (2017) may be used and referenced immediately after the release date in 2017.

Innovation & Technology

IUPUI and Butler University Win AASHE Sustainable Campus Competition, hosted by Kimberly-Clark Professional

Jan 12, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) and Butler University partnered to win the AASHE Sustainable Campus Competition, hosted by Kimberly-Clark Professional. The two schools secured a $50,000 prize that will catalyze a city-wide composting collection program that serves as important step toward their large-scale commercial composting collection initiative.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Scotiabank Donates $75,000 to Fund a Support Network at Bow Valley College’s Chiu School of Business

Jan 12, 2017 7:30 AM ET

Learners at Bow Valley College’s Chiu School of Business received some valuable support thanks to a $75,000 donation from Scotiabank.

Environment

National Geographic Celebrates Ocean Conservation in New Documentary Premiering This Sunday Jan. 15 at 7/6c

Jan 12, 2017 7:00 AM ET

The latest documentary from National Geographic, Sea of Hope: America’s Underwater Treasures, follows Dr. Sylvia Earle and her team, including renowned National Geographic photographer Brian Skerry and writer Max Kennedy, as they embark on a year-long journey to use the power of photography to advocate for the protection of vital underwater habitats and natural wonders. Sea of Hope premieres on Sunday, January 15, at 7:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM CT.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Benevity Processes Over $1 Billion in Donations to Close out 2016

Jan 11, 2017 7:30 PM ET

Benevity Inc., the global leader in online workplace giving, matching, volunteering and community investment software, announced that it surpassed $1 billion in donations to almost 105,000 charities in 2016. In just the last two years, donations to nonprofits through Benevity have increased fivefold.

Events, Media & Communications

Sponsor Groundbreaking Workplace Giving and Employee Engagement Research

Jan 11, 2017 6:25 PM ET

Workplace giving has evolved considerably in the past decade. Since 2000, America’s Charities has been reporting trends that are shaping this evolving field from both the employer and nonprofit perspective.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Gilead Awards More Than $22 Million in Grants to Support HIV Cure Research

Jan 11, 2017 3:05 PM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

How Companies Can Celebrate and Support a New Generation of Global Leaders

Jan 11, 2017 2:45 PM ET

Celebrating the achievements of the nation’s foremost visionaries who have used their status to positively impact the lives of students and publicly-supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), proceeds from TMCF's annual Awards Gala enable TMCF to continue its work as a critical link between students having greater access to higher education and the opportunity to become a part of a new generation of global leaders. There are multiple ways companies and their employees can support this work, including...

Social Impact & Volunteering

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee of Las Vegas and MGM Resorts International Present 35th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade

Jan 11, 2017 2:30 PM ET

MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) will return for the seventh consecutive year as the presenting sponsor of the 35th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade to be held on Monday, Jan. 16 at 10 a.m. in downtown Las Vegas.

Environment

Wells Fargo Adds 10 Clean-Tech Startups to Innovation Incubator

Jan 11, 2017 1:00 PM ET

January 11, 2017 – Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) today announced it has selected the third round of clean technology startup companies to join the Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN2), a five-year, $10 million program which helps advance energy efficiency by accelerating sustainable commercial-building technologies. The 10 early-stage companies in Round 3 will each receive up to $250,000 in cash and in-kind technical assistance to advance their technologies and an opportunity to beta test within Wells Fargo’s real estate footprint.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Early Bird Registration Discount for Women's Empowerment Principles Forum Ends 1/31!

Jan 11, 2017 1:00 PM ET

Registration is now open for our "Measuring Success, Making it Count: Women's Empowerment Principles Forum 2017." Join us at the United Nations Headquarters and Grand Hyatt in NYC on March 14-15 to discuss ways of measuring initiatives that support woman and girls, and how to use data to drive action. Hurry, Early Bird discount ends January 31!

Health & Healthcare

Three Quality of Lifehacks to Spruce up Your Workspace

Jan 11, 2017 12:45 PM ET

This past Monday was National Clean Off Your Desk Day. Although this “holiday” might feel a little made-up, it’s still a good excuse to begin the New Year with a clean and organized workspace.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

51 Public Schools Named State Winners in $2 Million* Samsung STEAM Learning Contest

Jan 11, 2017 12:45 PM ET

Samsung Electronics America (SEA) announced the 51 state winners of the 7th annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest – a nationwide competition that challenges students to use STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) skills to affect real-world change.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Jan. 11 Is Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Are Companies Listening?

Jan 11, 2017 12:40 PM ET

There are steps companies can take immediately – and with little effort – to reduce or eliminate supply chain risks. In recognition of National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention day today, companies can renew their commitments to ethical sourcing investigative processes to provide assurances that their products do not involve slave labor.

Social Impact & Volunteering

West Mabee Boys and Girls Club Director Understands the Impact the Club Can Have on Youths

Jan 11, 2017 12:00 PM ET

Ask Jamar Giddings to pin down his favorite memory from a childhood spent with the Boys & Girls Club and he’ll tell you it was scatterball.

The game, a form of dodgeball, helped nurture an athletic ability and competitiveness that would eventually lead him out of an impoverished area of Lawton and ultimately back into the fold of the organization that shaped his life.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption Names Two New Board Members

Jan 11, 2017 11:00 AM ET

The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption welcomes two new board of trustees members this month. Deepak Ajmani and Robert Geen will each join the board for a three-year term.