ESG News from Leading Brands

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

KeyBank Enables the Rehabilitation of Affordable Seniors Housing in Puyallup, WA

Dec 3, 2018 2:30 PM ET

KeyBank provided and arranged both construction and permanent financing to support the Senior Housing Assistant Group (SHAG) with the acquisition and rehabilitation of Sunset Garden Apartments, an affordable seniors housing property serving those aged 62 or older in Puyallup, WA.

Education

"Let’s Train Humans First….Before We Train Machines"

Dec 3, 2018 2:05 PM ET

We humans are at the absurd stage in our technological evolution when we seem to have abandoned our common sense. Billions are spent by governments, corporations and investors in training computer-based algorithms (i.e. computer programs) in today’s mindless rush to create so-called "artificial" intelligence, widely advertised as AI. Meanwhile, training our children and their brains (already superior to computer algorithms) is under-funded, schools are dilapidated, sited in run-down, often polluted areas while our teachers are poorly paid and need greater respect. How did our national priorities get so skewed?

Diversity & Inclusion

Scotiabank Video: Today is International Day of People with Disabilities

Dec 3, 2018 2:05 PM ET

Environment

Ray C. Anderson Foundation's Grant to Emory University Supports Statewide Climate Consortium Co-Founded With the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech

Dec 3, 2018 1:45 PM ET

As many nations are meeting about climate impacts in Katowice, Poland, for COP24, and just over a week after the release of the U.S. National Climate Assessment Report, nonprofits and university leaders in Georgia are choosing not to take the "wait and see" posiiton. Instead, they are forging ahead to ensure that Georgians are educated on the issue and provided with the best tools and research to take the lead in climate action.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

VIDEO | Mohawk’s George Bandy Jr. | 2018 USGBC Leadership Award Recipient

Dec 3, 2018 1:30 PM ET

Last month, Mohawk Industries VP of sustainability and commercial marketing George Bandy Jr. was recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council with the prestigious USGBC Leadership Award. Bandy was presented with the accolade by Mahesh Ramanujam, USGBC president and CEO, during a special ceremony in Chicago that coincided with the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo.

Watch this clip to learn why Bandy was inspired to pursue a career and calling in sustainability and how his role at Mohawk has allowed him to continue on his own personal journey to believe in better.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

KeyBank Finances New Construction of Affordable Housing for Families in Arlington, WA

Dec 3, 2018 1:30 PM ET

KeyBank provided and arranged both construction and permanent financing supporting AVS Communities’ plan to construct The Villas at Arlington, a 312-unit, mid-rise apartment complex with 17 three-story residential buildings. The property is subject to Section 42 of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program and will make affordable housing options available to families earning less than 60% area median income (AMI) in Arlington, WA.

Education

HP Commits to Educate 100,000 Across Africa in the Next Three Years, Opens HP LIFE Center for Entrepreneurship in South Africa

Dec 3, 2018 12:50 PM ET

Events, Media & Communications

Introducing the Bloomberg Good Business Hub

Dec 3, 2018 12:25 PM ET

Launched in conjunction with Sustainable Finance Week, Bloomberg's Good Business Hub sponsored by Nuveen provides the latest reporting on sustainable investment practices, climate risk and policy, global demographics and the changing labor market.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

It's National Roof Over Your Head Day!

Dec 3, 2018 12:00 PM ET

Energy

Cutting US Transportation Energy In Half

Dec 3, 2018 11:55 AM ET

A campaign has been launched to cut US transportation energy use by 50% by 2050. Audi of America President Scott Keogh and National Grid US President Dean Seavers are the chairs of the Alliance to Save Energy’s 50×50 Commission. Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto (D) and Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price (R) are members of a diverse coalition including manufacturers, consumer groups, utilities, environmental groups, and public officials. Natasha Vidangos, Vice President of Research for the Alliance to Save Energy, answered some questions about the campaign for CleanTechnica.

Media & Communications

Scary Stuff: The Fourth Official "Climate Science Special Report" by the U.S. Government's “Global Change Research Program"

Dec 3, 2018 11:30 AM ET

Whether you are an investor, company executive or board member, or an issue advocate, or civic leader, these “high probability” outcomes should keep you up at night: more superstorms; more drought; increased risk of forest fires; more floods; rising sea levels; melting glaciers; ocean acidification; increasing atmospheric water vapor (thus, more powerful rainstorms)…and more.

Green Infrastructure

5 Retail Trends to Look for in 2019

Dec 3, 2018 11:20 AM ET

What do the experts predict about retail for 2019, and what insights can we glean from emerging trends like changes in fulfillment capabilities? Will we continue to see "buy online, pick up in store" as a convenience for customers and a lesser load on logistics networks?

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Kimberly-Clark’s Commitment to Forest Conservation Recognized with a 2018 FSC® Leadership Award

Dec 3, 2018 11:00 AM ET

Kimberly-Clark, along with its partners from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), were honored by the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) with a 2018 Leadership Award for Kimberly-Clark and WWF’s “Heart Your Planet” collaboration. The program was unanimously selected for the Uncommon Partnership award for its success in engaging consumers to look for the WWF Panda logo and FSC® label on product packaging to support responsible forest management.

Innovation & Technology

Ameren Successfully Completes Industry-leading 60-mile Drone Flight Over Transmission Lines, Paving the Way for Safe, Efficient Aerial Infrastructure Inspections

Dec 3, 2018 9:40 AM ET

With thousands of miles of high-voltage lines, Ameren Corp. wanted a better and safer way to monitor its assets spread over rural territories beyond manual or helicopter inspections. The St. Louis-based energy company worked with Black & Veatch and Collins Aerospace to identify a solution: Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone flights. The team now has proven they can inspect more miles of transmission lines faster and safer than ever envisioned.

Health & Healthcare

Putting Kids Around the Globe First: Johnson & Johnson Announces a $10 Million Pledge to UNICEF

Dec 3, 2018 9:25 AM ET

If there's one universal truth about kids, it may be this: They want to grow up as quickly as possible. And for over 100 years, Johnson & Johnson has been working to help them grow up as healthy as possible, too.

Education

Powering the Movement with Global Citizen to Change the World Through Education

Dec 3, 2018 8:50 AM ET

Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world.” We couldn’t agree more. Quality education helps break the cycle of poverty. It promotes equality and empowerment, enables economic growth and prosperity, and helps create a more peaceful, sustainable society. The UN Sustainable Development Goals list inclusive, quality education and lifelong learning as one of the key drivers in helping achieve many of the 17 Global Goals. Powerful indeed.

Research, Reports & Publications

Survey Finds "Brands Taking Stands"​ Phenomenon is Here to Stay

Dec 3, 2018 8:45 AM ET

A longtime marketing and content partner of The Conference Board, 3BL Media has its finger on the pulse of the communications practices of companies with active corporate responsibility programs.

Environment

World’s Leading Forestry and Agroforestry Organizations Merge for Accelerated Impact Against Climate Change

Dec 3, 2018 8:30 AM ET

Innovation and investments worth trillions of dollars in landscape restoration, climate adaptation and science-based policy advice will be needed if the global community is to meet the escalating threats posed by climate change.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Kohler Co. Celebrates Virginia Tech’s FutureHAUS Win at the 2018 Solar Decathlon

Dec 3, 2018 8:05 AM ET

Kohler Co. is proud to have supported the winning Virginia Tech team in its champion finish at the Solar Decathlon, an international competition to build the best solar home. The team, which beat out 27 other universities and 15 teams from 11 countries, incorporated Kohler plumbing products and technologies in its first-place.

Diversity & Inclusion

Paula Chou, Mechanical Designer: How Her Passions Shaped Her Career

Dec 3, 2018 8:00 AM ET

Paula Chou is a mechanical designer with Glumac, A Tetra Tech Company, based in Irvine, California. She works on the sustainable design of HVAC projects for architects and owners of building construction. Paula has a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering. We talked with Paula as part of our #TtInspires campaign celebrating the passion of Tetra Tech employees. Follow #TtInspires on social media for more stories.

Education

Sodexo Brings Famed Chef Wolfgang Puck’s Pizza to Gonzaga University

Dec 3, 2018 8:00 AM ET

Sodexo, in partnership with Wolfgang Puck, the chef who made artisan pizza famous, has fired up the ovens at Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA. Wolfgang Puck Pizza is the latest brand to join Gonzaga University’s dining options.

Green Infrastructure

The Arbor Day Foundation and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Unveil Tree Cities of the World Programme

Dec 3, 2018 8:00 AM ET

The Arbor Day Foundation along with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) today unveiled their Tree Cities of the World Programme, an initiative to recognize communities across all continents that meet core standards for the care and planning of community trees and forests.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Talking Mine Closure With Chris Cormier, Former Vice President, Reclamation and Closure

Dec 3, 2018 6:15 AM ET

Mine closure and reclamation are key components in the life cycle of a mine. To us, how we leave our mine sites and how we start them are equally important. Until recently, Chris Cormier was our VP of Reclamation and Closure, but this year he made the jump from mine closure, to opening a new mine at our Coffee Mine Project in the Yukon as the Mine General Manager. Before his transition to Coffee, we asked him how 2017 helped shape Reclamation and Closure at Goldcorp.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Statement From Natalye Paquin, Points of Light President and CEO, in Honor of President George H.W. Bush

Dec 1, 2018 8:00 AM ET

President George H.W. Bush was a kind, compassionate and humble man; a leader who believed in service for the betterment of society. As he aptly put it, 'any definition of a successful life must include service to others.' The call to serve your country and your fellow man – both of equal value – was a centerpiece of his presidency and his life. It was from the White House that he founded Points of Light, which has evolved into the largest nonprofit, non-partisan organization dedicated to promoting the power of individuals to create change. Today because of his work, Points of Light is an enduring part of his legacy.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

PayPal Surpasses $98M in Platform Donations on Giving Tuesday

Nov 30, 2018 6:00 PM ET

PayPal has proudly partnered with #GivingTuesday and its founding organization, the 92nd Street Y, since its inception in 2012, supporting charitable giving by creating safe, secure and convenient touch-points for customers to contribute to their favorite charities online. Year-after-year we have been overwhelmed by the generosity of our community as millions of global customers turn to our platform to connect with and give to the causes they care about most. In 2012, PayPal processed approximately $16 million in donations on the first #GivingTuesday. In 2015, we set a Guinness World Record by raising more than $45 million, the highest amount raised online for charity in a 24-hour period. And last year, we enabled more than 715,000 people to contribute $64 million to their favorite causes.