ESG News from Leading Brands

Research, Reports & Publications

Caterpillar Inc. | Sharing Generously Around the World

Sep 12, 2018 6:00 PM ET

Our success contributes to the social stability of regions around the world in many ways. Caterpillar’s products help build infrastructure for transportation, energy, telecommunications, waste and water.

Environment

5 Things You Shouldn't Recycle

Sep 12, 2018 5:15 PM ET

Events, Media & Communications

A Global SDG Competition to Inspire the Next Generation of Sustainability Leadership

Sep 12, 2018 5:00 PM ET

Sustainability has come a long way in the last 10 years. It's now common language in boardrooms across the world. Most companies have someone who has a title that includes the world Sustainability, CSR, Value Creation or Shared Value. This is a great achievement and we should all be thrilled with this cultural shift. But we're not there yet and lately inspiration has been lacking.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Groundbreaking Partnership for Environmentally Friendly Cruise Tourism in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

Sep 12, 2018 4:30 PM ET

On September 11, 2018, around 280 executives of AIDA Cruises welcomed the prime minister of Mecklenburg- Western Pomerania, Manuela Schwesig at the AIDA Management Days in Rostock. The occasion was marked by the signing of a Declaration of Intend between AIDA Cruises, the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the Hanseatic and University City of Rostock and ROSTOCK PORT to jointly promote environmentally friendly and sustainable cruise shipping in Rostock,.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Employers: How Much Volunteer Time Is the "Right" Amount During the Work Day?

Sep 12, 2018 4:15 PM ET

More time to volunteer doesn't always equal more participation. Participation increases when employees have 1-2 volunteer days.

Environment

Ecocentricity Blog: I'll Take Trademarks for $200, Alex

Sep 12, 2018 4:15 PM ET

So much of Yvon Chouinard's book's contents match perfectly with Ray Anderson’s own philosophies. For instance, on page 151 of Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman, Patagonia founder, Chouinard writes, “Our mission statement says nothing about making a profit. In fact, our family considers our bottom line to be the amount of good that the business has accomplished over the year."

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Nestlé Waters North America Provides Free Warehouse Space for American Red Cross to Help With Continued Response to Wildfires and Aftermath in Northern California

Sep 12, 2018 3:45 PM ET

For the third time in four years, Nestlé Waters North America has turned over the keys to its former bottling facility in Calistoga, California to the American Red Cross to use as a staging area to help Northern California communities facing wildfires. “The American Red Cross has a critical need for temporary warehouse space to provide support for victims of the Northern California wildfires,” said Joe Lund, Director of Operations for American Red Cross in Northern California.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Abbott, C&A, Aviva Join Reporting Summit

Sep 12, 2018 3:35 PM ET

We are delighted to confirm that Abbott, C&A Global, Aviva and LEO Pharma are the latest companies to join the speaker faculty at the 12th Sustainability Reporting & Communications Summit [London, 10-11 October] – demonstrating resilience; through transparent, SDG-focused disclosure

Education

'Fly Like a Girl': Over 100 Girls Learn About STEM, Airline Careers

Sep 12, 2018 1:35 PM ET

Joanna Geraghty said being the highest-ranking woman in the airline industry is humbling, but also frustrating.

"It shouldn't be that way in 2018," said Geraghty, JetBlue's president and chief operating officer. "There should be many more in this space ranked even higher than me."

JetBlue teamed up with the Utah STEM Action Center and Atlantic Aviation Friday to teach girls about careers in flight, especially those relying on science, technology, engineering and math.

Education

Amgen Scholars Program in Singapore

Sep 12, 2018 1:25 PM ET

The Amgen Scholars Program provides young scientists across the globe access and opportunity through cutting-edge research experiences and exposure to biotechnology and drug discovery. In this video, Singapore Amgen Scholar, Su Chang Chloe shares her story about participating in the program at Kyoto University, Japan and the opportunities for independent research, networking, and communication skills.

Diversity & Inclusion

Male Allies Lean in to Support Women and Help PNC Thrive

Sep 12, 2018 1:20 PM ET

From senior leadership to frontline employees, everyone can function more effectively as allies in the workplace. As part of its Men as Allies pilot program, PNC invited W. Brad Johnson, co-author of "Athena Rising, How and Why Men Should Mentor Women,” to speak to employees about inclusive mentorship and the role of male allies in the workplace

Events, Media & Communications

Brands Taking Stands™ | Business Leadership as a 'Calling'

Sep 12, 2018 1:15 PM ET

What does calling imply when used in reference to leadership in business? What could “meaning” mean in business practice?

Sustainable Development Goals

Attend the Business Call to Action Forum in New York

Sep 12, 2018 1:10 PM ET

The 8th BCtA Annual Forum will take place at the Japan Society in New York during Global Goals Week on 28 September 2018.

Media & Communications

BIER Member Spotlight: Suzette Carty

Sep 12, 2018 1:00 PM ET

Twice a month the Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER) highlights their members' beverage industry sustainability insights and ideas in their BIER Member Spotlight series.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

As Hurricane Florence Approaches Carolinas, Duke Energy Announces $145,000 Grant to Support Disaster Response Efforts

Sep 12, 2018 12:10 PM ET

Duke Energy is helping communities prepare ahead of Hurricane Florence with $145,000 in grants to the American Red Cross. The funds will support disaster response, including support for Red Cross shelters, volunteer training and mobilization of volunteers.

Hurricane Florence is forecasted to be a large and extremely dangerous storm system, which the company expects will cause widespread damage and power outages. Historical data and company experience indicate that total power restoration from a storm of this magnitude could take multiple days to several weeks – depending on the extent of damage and post-storm conditions, such as ongoing high winds and severe flooding, after the storm passes though the region.

Environment

Protecting Desert Tortoises in the Mojave Desert

Sep 12, 2018 12:00 PM ET

Environment

Improve Business Performance Through Sustainability Benchmarking Webinar

Sep 12, 2018 11:40 AM ET

Join us for a free webinar on September 26, 2018 with two of the field's foremost sustainability practitioners – global trainers and consultants on CSR strategy and reporting – and designers of the world’s largest database of ‘external’ Sustainability/ESG ratings.

Environment

Americans Are Concerned About Climate Change but Question Their Personal Impact, According to Cone/Porter Novelli Research

Sep 12, 2018 11:15 AM ET

The majority of Americans (62%) say they believe climate change is a problem, according to the 2018 Cone/Porter Novelli Climate Change Snapshot.

Events, Media & Communications

The Erb Institute at the Global Climate Action Summit Sept. 12-14th

Sep 12, 2018 11:00 AM ET

I hadn’t been to the California State Capitol for the longest time—probably since my visit back in elementary school, while growing up in Oakland, California. Fast forward to July 2017, and—after a quick selfie with “the bear” famously guarding the entrance to the California governor’s office—I was back in Sacramento to meet with the governor’s staff and make the case for the Erb Institute to be a part of the recently announced Global Climate Action Summit scheduled for the following year.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

All It Took Was a Game of Uno

Sep 12, 2018 11:00 AM ET

It all started with the “most epic and memorable game of UNO every played.” That’s when Jacquelynn and Kevin Patterson knew they had met their daughter, Haylee. And Haylee knew she had met her parents. “It feels great to be wanted and to be home.” Join our Circle of Support to ensure more teenagers, like Haylee, are adopted into supportive, safe and loving

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Benevity Data Highlights New Direction for 2018 Year-End Corporate Giving

Sep 12, 2018 10:25 AM ET

Three emerging trends are likely to impact charitable giving during the biggest giving months of the year: September through December, when 50% of all donations are typically made to charities and nonprofits.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Xylem Responds to Lombok Earthquakes in Relief Efforts

Sep 12, 2018 10:15 AM ET

Xylem Watermark was involved in the immediate response in asking how they could help the people of Lombok after the devastation of the recent earthquakes that left the island devastated. Three AquaTowers were deployed with their support – bringing thousands of people access to clean, safe water. Thousands of families were evacuated to hillside camps after their homes were destroyed, living in tents without electricity or running water that are shared with many other families. The AquaTowers were deployed in the encampment areas so that the hundreds of families living here can have clean water during the challenging times ahead of rebuilding their homes and lives. Xylem has been working closely with disaster relief efforts to provide life changing impact to those in need across the globe.

Innovation & Technology

Middle Schoolers Prepare for Lunar Landings at Jackson Robotics Event

Sep 12, 2018 10:05 AM ET

The 30th season of the FIRST Tech Challenge has been announced and Jackson County middle schoolers were at Jackson College on Saturday to brainstorm and strategize.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Visa Inc. Appoints Marianne Mwaniki as Senior Vice President of Social Impact

Sep 12, 2018 10:00 AM ET

Visa Inc. announced that Marianne Mwaniki has joined the company as senior vice president of social impact, with responsibility for the company’s comprehensive strategy in the areas of financial inclusion, financial literacy, corporate social responsibility and corporate giving programs.

Research, Reports & Publications

Integrating Renewables in the Grid: A Snapshot of Progress

Sep 12, 2018 10:00 AM ET

Just a few years ago, there were predictions that 30 percent of power from renewables was all the grid could easily handle and that anything more would have significant consequences. However, recent events have shown that it is possible to integrate much higher levels of renewable energy without large negative effects. Part of the reason is that the growth has been incremental, typically a few percentage points a year, allowing grid planners to adjust as needed. It’s also because of the emergence of technologies and techniques that help incorporate fluctuating power from renewables into the grid.