ESG News from Leading Brands

Education

Grading The Independent School Sector

Jan 3, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Despite a turbulent and an agitated economic and political context, the growth of fee-paying independent/ private schools continues across South Africa’s different income groups.

Health & Healthcare

Free 3BL Media Webinar Tomorrow, Jan. 4 for Sustainability and CSR Communicators in Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals Sector

Jan 3, 2017 8:05 AM ET

January 3, 2017 /3BL Media/ - Being recognized for successfully treating disease and sending patients home healthy and happy is no longer enough. Increasingly, top healthcare organizations and pharmaceutical companies are extending the focus of innovation to their social and environmental footprints.

Join 3BL Media for our next “best practice” webinar, The Prescription for Sustainability and CSR in Healthcare, tomorrow, Jan. 4 at 9:30 a.m. ET. The event is free and will feature a live question and answer session that is open to corporate social responsibility, sustainability and communications professionals from brands and nonprofits.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

SCS’ Sustainably Grown Certification Program Now ANSI Accredited

Jan 3, 2017 8:00 AM ET

SCS Global Services (SCS) announced today that its Sustainably Grown Certification program is now accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). In this context, SCS is among the first entities to be recognized by ANSI as an eligible eco-labeling certification scheme owner and standards developer under the internationally recognized requirements and processes of the ISO 14020 and ISO 14024 standards.

Energy

Consumers Energy to Finish Installing Upgraded Meters in 2017

Jan 3, 2017 8:00 AM ET

From Mackinaw City to Monroe, Consumers Energy will have installed 1.8 million new meters across Michigan by the end of 2017. The completion of the five-year statewide project will allow electric customers to track their energy usage more closely online and identify ways to save energy and money.

Environment

City States Rising!

Jan 3, 2017 7:05 AM ET

Globalism’s associated and accelerating complexity of interconnected crises from migration to terrorism, from pandemics to climate change, define the new context of our 21st-century reality. Unmanaged technological change and an outdated economic ideology compound the already unfair burden these crises impose on global citizens. One need only consider the 18 percent approval rating of the United States Congress, the recent U.S. election, the EU/Euro fiasco, Syria, Israel, Egypt, Turkey (and more) to question whether the Nation State, a 400-year-old response to a different challenge in a different context, is up to the task.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Carney Panel Urges CEO Compensation Link With Climate Risk

Jan 2, 2017 2:55 PM ET

Energy companies should consider telling investors how executive compensation is linked to climate change risks, according to a panel advising the Group of 20 nations.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Leading Sustainability from the Boardroom: The Latin American Case

Jan 2, 2017 2:20 PM ET

Sustainability creates financial value – this is the consensus among 99% of directors on the Boards of over 500 Latin American companies according to a study released by GRI and global management consulting firm A.T. Kearney.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Mark Carney: Businesses Must Come Clean About Climate Change Risks to Avoid "Tragedy"

Dec 30, 2016 2:55 PM ET

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

King Khalid Responsible Competitiveness Award Gala Held in Riyadh

Dec 30, 2016 1:00 PM ET

The annual RC Awards Gala was recently held on December 13th, 2016, in Riyadh. Under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, the annual Gala event honored companies that demonstrated excellence in sustainability performance. Since its inception in 2008, the annual RC Award has been an important driver of improving the social, economic, and environmental performance of companies in the KSA. The King Khalid Awards are the most prestigious awards focused on socially responsible and sustainable practices in Saudi Arabia. They are effective tools for social change and are designed to recognize, encourage and support exceptional achievements by companies, NPOs, and Saudi citizens.

Environment

Ways to Cut Down on Waste during the Holidays

Dec 30, 2016 10:00 AM ET

During the holidays, Americans generate 25 percent more waste. Nearly 80 percent of that can be recycled. Tracy Skenandore with Republic Services joined 8 News NOW to give us some tips on what can be recycled or reused.

Environment

Holiday Recycling Tips: Don't Throw Away Your Packaging

Dec 29, 2016 2:00 PM ET

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Subaru Wants to Be More Than a Car Company, They Want to Make the World a Better Place

Dec 29, 2016 11:00 AM ET

Since 2008, Subaru has donated $250 to charity for every new car sold or leased during its #ShareTheLove Event, with total donations now reaching nearly $90 million.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

A Proxy For The Next Generation

Dec 29, 2016 10:00 AM ET

We spoke to Michael Judin about the nature of fiduciary duties in the 21st century. What became clear is that ESG issues and fiduciary duties are not mutually exclusive.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Voya Financial and American College Announce Fourth Quarter Veteran Scholarship Recipient

Dec 29, 2016 9:35 AM ET

Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA), announced today that it has awarded its fourth quarter scholarship, in partnership with the American College of Financial Services, to Nancy Feldman, who aspires to further her career in the life insurance industry. Feldman is the wife of Larry Feldman, a Marine Reconnaissance veteran who returned from serving in Vietnam in 1971 to join the President’s Honor Guard under President Richard Nixon.

Environment

Duke Energy and the Environment

Dec 29, 2016 9:10 AM ET

At Duke Energy, we are proud of our commitment to the environment and our communities. We don’t just work here, we live here and we want to make Florida an even better place to live.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

The National Lottery Operator Takes Proactive Approach to Player Safety

Dec 29, 2016 9:05 AM ET

Innovative software tracks data to identify online problem play. Miranda Ingram reports . . .

As operator of The National Lottery, Camelot’s mission is to change lives. Both the lives of its winners – it makes almost 30 millionaires a month – but also the lives of people who benefit from the incredible £36 million that is delivered every week in Good Causes funding. Since The National Lottery began in 1994, players have raised over £35 billion for Good Causes – this means an average of 150 lottery grants in every neighbourhood have been awarded.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Climate Disclosure Framework Creates a Better Environment for Investors

Dec 28, 2016 3:50 PM ET

Stephanie Leaist is a member of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures, and managing director, Head of Sustainable Investing at Canada Pension Plan Investment Board

Environment

Land Conservation, Wildlife Habitat to Benefit from Nearly $1.4 Million from Duke Energy

Dec 28, 2016 2:45 PM ET

Diversity & Inclusion

A Proven Case: Championing Diversity Enables Innovation

Dec 28, 2016 2:05 PM ET

The importance of innovation in business is undisputed. Tapping into diversity as a driver of innovation is a newer concept — but it is already proving its worth. Dubie Cunningham, vice-president of innovation at the Digital Factory at Scotiabank, shares why and how diversity has been a key driver of success.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

A Year in CSR: The Top 10 Trends of 2016

Dec 28, 2016 1:15 PM ET

There’s no doubt that 2016 has been a turbulent time for business and society. Yet with this instability has come progress and awakening. Many organizations took the opportunity to redefine what “responsibility” looks like – beyond just material issues or products and services – to what a company’s larger role in society could be. We saw moments in time grow into movements, employees roll up their sleeves on sustainability, and technology play a leading role in communicating to consumers. As the year draws to a close, Cone Communications evaluated a years’-worth of corporate social responsibility (CSR) trends to bring you the top 10 trends of 2016.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Aflac Survey Shows the Growing Importance of Corporate Social Responsibility for Consumers and Investors

Dec 28, 2016 11:55 AM ET

Billionaire Warren Buffet famously said that “It takes 20 years to build a reputation, and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently.” As we begin approach the promise of a new year, Mr. Buffet’s words provide a reminder for businesses and consumers about the importance of a strong reputation.

Events, Media & Communications

10, 9, 8…. Countdown the Top 10 Blog Posts of 2016!

Dec 28, 2016 11:00 AM ET

A year can seem like a long time, especially when you’re in the ever-evolving world of corporate social responsibility and volunteerism.

Environment

Ecocentricity Blog: Let's Play Another Game

Dec 28, 2016 10:15 AM ET

Here’s the game. I will give you a quote, and then I will challenge you with the impossible task of guessing who said it. It could be Justin Bieber. It could be Kim Jong-un. Who knows?!?!

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

On The Ground In Africa

Dec 28, 2016 9:00 AM ET

As a long-term investor and responsible steward of the assets it manages on behalf of its customers, Old Mutual Africa is on course to becoming the leading responsible investor on the continent, where it has offices in Kenya, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Old Mutual Africa’s Responsible Investment Committee spearheads this initiative, ensuring that we continue to incorporate environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations in the assets in which we invest. Marjorie Mayida shares some of the learnings along her ESG journey into the African investment landscape.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Employee Giving is Alive and Thriving

Dec 28, 2016 9:00 AM ET

Employee giving and engagement programs are changing -- not dying.