ESG News from Leading Brands

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

U.S. News and Aetna Foundation Release 2019 Healthiest Communities Rankings

Mar 26, 2019 1:50 PM ET

Douglas County, Colorado, is the healthiest community in America, according to the 2019 Healthiest Communities rankings by U.S. News & World Report, released today in collaboration with the Aetna Foundation. The second annual report and accompanying analysis are based on an evaluation of nearly 3,000 communities nationwide across 81 health-related metrics in 10 categories, from education and population health to infrastructure and environment.

Research, Reports & Publications

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company Exceeds Sustainability Goals in 2018

Mar 26, 2019 12:40 PM ET

As the world’s leading provider of consumer lawn and garden products and North America’s largest provider of hydroponic growing products, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company embraces our responsibility to do the right thing. It shapes how we care for the planet and all those we touch, both inside and outside our company. We’re pleased to share our latest Corporate Social Responsibility Report, which provides information on our achievements in operations, workplace and community outreach during 2018.

Environment

International Day of Forests Celebrates Sustainably Managed Forests

Mar 26, 2019 12:30 PM ET

Each year on March 21, we celebrate the International Day of Forests to raise awareness of the importance of sustainably managed forests. You’ve probably heard many common myths about the pulp and paper industry’s effect on forests, but the truth is that sustainable forestry practices are instrumental (not detrimental) to the health and vitality of our precious forest resources.

Environment

How the Fishermen of Madagascar Are Pulling Together to Combat Climate Change

Mar 26, 2019 12:00 PM ET

Fishermen in Madagascar spend several hours a day on their pirogues (fishing canoes) out at sea. In the past, they would return home with baskets brimming with fish. But today, catch sizes have dwindled due to overfishing, rising sea temperatures and extreme weather.

Energy

Duke Energy Florida Announces 3 More Solar Power Plants, Totaling 195 Megawatts

Mar 26, 2019 12:00 PM ET

Duke Energy Florida (DEF) has announced the locations of its newest universal solar power plants, which will provide cleaner, smarter energy solutions to benefit Florida customers.

Events, Media & Communications

CSRHub’s Bahar Gidwani Speaking at ESG5 Summit

Mar 26, 2019 11:30 AM ET

Skytop Strategies will launch its ESG5 Summit on April 4th in New York. CSRHub Co-founder and CTO Bahar Gidwani will be speaking on Materiality: Aligning Materiality to Your Company’s Business Model.

Events, Media & Communications

PYXERA Global CEO Deirdre White to Moderate Panel at What Works 2019

Mar 26, 2019 11:30 AM ET

PYXERA Global is excited to announce our participation in the What Works 2019 conference on April 1–3 in Reykjavik, Iceland. First held in 2016, the What Works global summit is the premier forum for debating solutions that will accelerate social progress around the world.

Diversity & Inclusion

5 Viacom Executives Share Their Paths to Leadership in Honor of Women’s History Month

Mar 26, 2019 11:30 AM ET

To celebrate Women’s History Month, Viacom is hosting a series of events tied to the theme “champion each other to break barriers.” It’s an empowering nod to the role individuals play in improving the diversity of voices, experiences, and identities that are represented at the proverbial (and literal) professional table.

Environment

Xylem Holds Third Annual “Make Your Mark 30-Day Challenge” to Raise Awareness of World Water Day

Mar 26, 2019 11:15 AM ET

Xylem (NYSE: XYL), a leading global water technology company, is recognizing World Water Day 2019 by launching its third annual “Make Your Mark 30-Day Challenge.” While Xylem colleagues, customers and partners volunteer every day, the company welcomes this specific opportunity each year to raise awareness and invite others to join the cause. Through the “Make Your Mark 30-Day Challenge,” conducted by the company’s corporate citizenship program Watermark, Xylem employees and stakeholders will come together from World Water Day (March 22nd) to Earth Day (April 22nd) to help solve water challenges through activities around the world, such as educational events for children focused on the water crisis and hosting walks for water to raise awareness of water issues.

Education

Learn & Live Carpet: Nature-Inspired Design Meets Worry-Free Construction

Mar 26, 2019 11:15 AM ET

Learn & Live is a carpet collection that draws its influence from a design study and nature-inspired concepts of complexity and order proven to increase collaboration and creativity, reduce negative behavior and encourage social interaction. Education designers, specifiers and end users can leverage Red List-free carpet tile and broadloom styles together to create unique installations inspired by biophilic principles through the use of neutrals and accent colors.

Health & Healthcare

Ending the HIV Epidemic Requires Supporting Those Already Living With HIV

Mar 26, 2019 11:00 AM ET

While the challenges continue to be daunting, there are numerous signs of progress in the fight to eradicate HIV by 2030. Between 2012 and 2016, new infections in New York City decreased by 26 percent. In 2017, new infections in San Francisco fell to a record low of 221 in the city that was once known as ground zero for the AIDS epidemic. While we still have a long way to go, each of these headlines would have been unthinkable 24 years ago.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

GRI Standards Now Available in Spanish

Mar 26, 2019 11:00 AM ET

Global Reporting Initiative are delighted that we can now offer the latest GRI Standards in Spanish. Organizations who report in Spanish can download GRI 303: Agua y efluentes 2018 and GRI 403: Salud y seguridad en el trabajo 2018 on the GRI website.

Education

T. Rowe Price: Sandwich Generation Strain Negatively Impacts Kids and Their Money Habits

Mar 26, 2019 11:00 AM ET

T. Rowe Price’s 2019 Parents, Kids & Money Survey, which sampled 1,005 parents of 8 to 14 year olds and their kids, found that stress among parents who are caring for both their kids and aging family members, commonly known as the sandwich generation, is negatively impacting their money habits and their kids’ money habits.

Environment

Why Recyclers Should Consider Healthcare Plastics as a Valuable Feedstock

Mar 26, 2019 11:00 AM ET

Healthcare facilities in the U.S. generate about 14,000 tons of waste per day. 25% of it is plastic packaging and products, and— 85% of this plastic waste is non-infectious (meaning it never comes into contact with a patient)! How can recyclers take advantage of this clean plastics waste stream and create value with it?

Media & Communications

Five/in/Five – IBM Predicts Five Innovations To Change Our Lives in the Next Five Years at 2019 Think Conference

Mar 26, 2019 11:00 AM ET

At the recent IBM Think 2019 Conference, fascinating artificial intelligence (“AI”) innovations were showcased; these are approaches in development to help meet the needs of global stressed food and water ecosystems.

Health & Healthcare

Novartis Foundation and Microsoft Partner to Develop AI-Enabled Digital Health Tool for Early Leprosy Detection

Mar 26, 2019 10:35 AM ET

The Novartis Foundation and Microsoft are partnering to develop an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled Digital Health tool and a Leprosy Intelligent Image Atlas to aid in the early detection of leprosy. Over 200,000 people are diagnosed with leprosy every year. Brazil, India, and Indonesia account for about 80% of new cases. If untreated, patients are left with lifelong disabilities and are often stigmatized in their societies.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

It Takes Focus to Grow and Maintain a Company Culture

Mar 26, 2019 10:30 AM ET

I spend a lot of my time thinking about corporate culture. Since we grew the life science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany in 2015, through the acquisition of Sigma-Aldrich, we’ve been navigating that interesting space of culture creation. You’ve got the established culture of the acquiring company and then you’ve got the established culture of the acquiree. How are those two things supposed to automatically mesh or even mesh after several years?

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Philanthropic Investors Tap “Catalytic Capital” to Seed Innovation & Scale Progress

Mar 26, 2019 10:25 AM ET

Often, the most compelling impact investments are made, not found. That phrase describes how foundations and impact investors use “catalytic capital” to support social and environmental progress. These patient, flexible, “catalytic” investments take on more risk and/or accept a lower return than commercial capital to finance gains that would not otherwise be possible.

Energy

Consumers Energy Achieves Broad Support for Breakthrough Clean Energy Plan, Files Settlement

Mar 26, 2019 9:40 AM ET

Consumers Energy and other stakeholders have filed a settlement with the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) on the company’s Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) outlining a breakthrough Clean Energy Plan for Michigan. The plan positions Consumers Energy as a national clean energy leader and demonstrates its commitment to people, the planet and Michigan’s prosperity. Today’s settlement announcement – from a broad coalition of customer groups, environmental organizations and the Michigan Attorney General – outlines the best plan for Michigan’s energy future.

Environment

Building a Bridge to Clean Water

Mar 26, 2019 9:20 AM ET

TODAY, MILLIONS OF people around the world are forced to drink dirty, contaminated water. Nearly 1,000 children die every day as a result of drinking unsafe water and due to poor sanitation and hygiene. Fortunately, this global crisis is being addressed with vision, skill, and the life-changing magic of chemistry.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Maximizing Business and Environmental Value with the Circular Economy

Mar 26, 2019 9:05 AM ET

Hewlett Packard Enterprise CEO, Antonio Neri, shares how HPE is contributing to a circular economy by building considerations like energy efficiency, materials innovation and design for recyclability right into our business design principles.

Environment

Restoring the Essentials of Life

Mar 26, 2019 9:00 AM ET

Arbor Day Foundation members and partners are integral to supporting reforestation efforts around the world. In the last 30 years, our members and partners have provided the resources to fund big planting projects in areas of high-need.

Sustainable Development Goals

UN Global Compact Bulletin (March 2019)

Mar 26, 2019 9:00 AM ET

The UN Global Compact Bulletin is designed to keep participants up to date on news, actions you can take, resources and events. Participants are encouraged to look at this monthly communication for important information. Please note that actions and events are intended for Global Compact stakeholders, unless otherwise indicated. The Bulletin is published in English, French, Spanish and Chinese.

Research, Reports & Publications

Electrolux Highlights Lower Emissions and Investments for Improved Climate Impact in 2018 Sustainability Report

Mar 26, 2019 5:00 AM ET

Sustainable Development Goals

Women Smallholder Farmers Rising to the Challenge: Firsthand Perspectives from Kenya and Thailand

Mar 26, 2019 1:30 AM ET

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, there would be a 20-30 percent estimated yield increase if women farmers had the same access to resources as men. It's a powerful statistic that underscores the global issue of gender inequality, highlighting the integral role – and extraordinary potential – of women in agriculture.