ESG News from Leading Brands

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

All Executives at Johnson & Johnson Are Annually Measured Against a 75-year-old Essay

Apr 4, 2018 10:30 AM ET

Johnson & Johnson CEO, Alex Gorsky spoke at the CECP's CEO Investor Forum in February, discussing the importance of creating long-term value. Gorsky cited J&J's 75-year-old "credo" as a major source of inspiration to the company, measuring senior leadership's performance in an annual survey against this credo. "Credo sessions" and work through case study scenarios determine how to maintain the link between performance and ideals.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Sands ECO360 Ambassadors: Eddy Kembaren and Eric Ho from Marina Bay Sands

Apr 4, 2018 10:15 AM ET

With a responsibility to our planet, Las Vegas Sands is a proud leader in sustainability in the hospitality industry through Sands ECO360, its global sustainability program. In 2017, Marina Bay Sands announced a partnership with World Wide Fund for Nature in Singapore (WWF)and their commitment to sustainable food and farming, the production of foods using farming techniques that protect the environment, public health, communities and animal welfare. Eddy Kembaren and Eric Ho are the senior managers in Procurement at Marina Bay Sands whose roles play an important part in ensuring sustainable food sourcing at the property.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

KeyBank Provides $38.5 Million in Total Financing for the Construction of Affordable Housing in New York

Apr 4, 2018 10:00 AM ET

KeyBank Community Development Lending and Investment (CDLI) has provided a total of $38.5 million to Ida Yarbrough Phase II LLC, an entity owned by Albany Housing Authority (AHA), for the new construction of Ida Yarbrough Homes. The 76-unit, affordable housing property is located in Albany, NY and will set aside 12 apartments for households at risk for homelessness.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

5 Questions with Justin Whitmore

Apr 4, 2018 10:00 AM ET

It’s Earth Month and to celebrate, we’re reflecting on the progress we’ve made, the challenges we’ve faced and the road ahead. Throughout the month we’ll offer opportunities to hear directly from our leaders in animal well-being, the environment, workplace safety, hunger relief and more. Part of being a company committed to sustainability is being a company that also cares about transparency.

Our 2017 sustainability report is out today, the perfect time to turn to our Executive Vice President of Corporate Strategy & Chief Sustainability Officer Justin Whitmore to set the stage for our month-long dialogue on sustainability.

Environment

Know More About Travolution, an Organization With a Mission to Strengthen Community Networks and Sales Projects Through Tourism and Local Development

Apr 4, 2018 9:45 AM ET

Know more about Travolution, an organization with a mission to strengthen community networks and sales projects through tourism and local development. They are a member organization of La Red de Innovación e Impacto and one of the participating Alumni of the Innovation Challenge powertogrow.wec.org

Environment

Conoce más sobre Travolution!

Apr 4, 2018 9:45 AM ET

Conoce más sobre Travolution, organización que trabaja para fortalecer las redes de trabajo y comercialización de proyectos comunitarios a través del turismo y el desarrollo local, miembros de La Red de Innovación e Impacto y uno de los Alumni participantes en el Concurso de Innovación powertogrow.wec.org

Energy

Schneider Electric VIDEO | Harmonizing the Habitats of Over 1,500 Species Under One Roof While Reducing Energy Use

Apr 4, 2018 9:35 AM ET

In today’s digital economy, a new breed of buildings is emerging. As a key ingredient in expanding urban landscapes, buildings of all types are undergoing a major technological shift toward greater efficiency and sustainability, driven by connected technologies, big data and analytics.

Environment

First Cartridges, Now Printers: HP Raises the Bar for Recycling

Apr 4, 2018 9:20 AM ET

Not much can beat the thrill of opening the latest new gadget during the holidays. But that excitement often comes along with a pang of guilt. What to do with your old hardware, and how do you recycle it responsibly?

Social Impact & Volunteering

Xylem Volunteers Build Homes in Houston After Hurricane Harvey

Apr 4, 2018 9:00 AM ET

Last year, Hurricane Harvey caused widespread devastation, forcing thousands of people out of damaged homes in Texas. In December, 25 Xylem employees volunteered with Houston Habitat for Humanity, rebuilding homes that had suffered from flooding and water damage in the wake of the hurricane.

Sustainable Development Goals

Engaging the Private Sector for Development Results in Indonesia

Apr 4, 2018 9:00 AM ET

Last month, I had the great pleasure to meet Bonaria Siahaan who heads the Millennium Challenge Account-Indonesia, the locally led and staffed entity implementing the MCC’s Indonesia Compact in the country’s bustling capital Jakarta. From procurement modernization to maternal and child nutrition to energy efficiency, Bonaria and her team are working on innovative projectsmaking a real difference in a country where tens of millions of people are still struggling to rise out of poverty.

Innovation & Technology

Harnessing Innovation in the World’s Startup Nation

Apr 4, 2018 8:50 AM ET

Innovative technology is critical to today’s sustainable and growing communities, and nowhere is that more evident than in Israel. A country with a population of less than 9 million people and a land mass smaller than the U.S. state of Vermont, it has become the go-to place for disruptive technology that can answer some of the world’s biggest social and environmental challenges.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

How to Manage Your Company's Employee Giving Donations Like a Fortune 500 Company, But With a Small Business Budget

Apr 3, 2018 5:10 PM ET

Is it better to manage your company's workplace giving charitable funds distribution in-house or to work with a 3rd party partner? One Fortune 500 company was stunned when it calculated the cost of managing its company’s in-house system for processing employee charitable payroll contributions. The company assumed it was making a fiscally prudent decision by managing this process itself. However, after analyzing what it took to manage its homegrown system, the company quickly learned its assumption was false.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

PBI Honors Gregory B. Jordan and the Legal Department of the PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. with 2018 Laurie D. Zelon Pro Bono Award

Apr 3, 2018 5:05 PM ET

Pro Bono Institute (PBI) has selected Gregory B. Jordan and the Legal Department of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (PNC) as the recipient of the 2018 Laurie D. Zelon Pro Bono Award for its pro bono efforts and leadership within the legal community to increase pro bono legal services and improve access to justice. The award was presented at a lunch reception at the 2018 PBI Annual Conference at the Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C., on February 22.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Walmart's "Fight Hunger. Spark Change." Campaign Gives Communities a Seat at the Table for Hunger Relief

Apr 3, 2018 4:15 PM ET

Walmart kicked off its fifth annual nationwide “Fight Hunger. Spark Change.” campaign today online and in stores by asking its 150 million weekly shoppers to raise the bar to support the Feeding America network of 200 local food banks and the one in eight people who battle hunger in America at some point during the year.

Sustainable Development Goals

Bechtel CASE STUDY: “Green-Grey” Approaches to Building Resilient Communities

Apr 3, 2018 4:05 PM ET

As part of Bechtel’s commitment to contribute 100 ideas to support the United Nation’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this case study examines how we can improve the resilience and security of vulnerable communities against the impact and implications of natural hazards by delivering projects that combine nature-based (green), traditional infrastructure (grey) and disaster risk reduction (DRR) solutions.

Energy

EV Charging Pilot Scores Win at Southern California Workplaces

Apr 3, 2018 3:05 PM ET

“Our employees love it!” That’s what Kenny Tang, Cathay Bank facility manager, says of the 17 electric vehicle charging ports recently installed at the bank’s El Monte office through Southern California Edison’s Charge Ready pilot program.

Diversity & Inclusion

Our Leaders Take Time to Inspire Young Minds

Apr 3, 2018 2:05 PM ET

On March 20, the Melville Hub was buzzing with young women seeking leadership skills advice from our own leaders. The day’s activities were designed to inspire the next generation of empowered women. Fifty-four 10th, 11th and 12th graders from New Hyde Park, Connetquot and Sewanhaka high schools attended the Young Women’s Leadership conference that we co-hosted with Junior Achievement.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Albertsons Companies’ Open Nature® Brand Expands Its ‘Free-From’ Approach Into Non-Food Categories

Apr 3, 2018 2:00 PM ET

As customers continue to pursue real food and natural products that are free from artificial ingredients, Albertsons Companies, one of the nation’s largest grocery retailers, today announced that it is expanding its exclusive Open Nature® brand into non-food categories and expects to release more than 240 new Open Nature products in 2018.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

How to Kill a Workplace Giving Campaign: Lessons From the Florida State Employees’ Charitable Campaign

Apr 3, 2018 2:00 PM ET

The Tallahassee Democrat recently reported that lawmakers have decided to shut down the Florida State Employees’ Charitable Campaign (FSECC) for good.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Astellas Named "Outstanding Employer" for Supporting Employees with Military Service

Apr 3, 2018 1:30 PM ET

Research, Reports & Publications

Scotiabank Showcases Progress on CSR Strategy: Better Future, Better Off

Apr 3, 2018 1:15 PM ET

Scotiabank has released its 2017 Corporate Social Responsibility Report, "Building the Economy of Everyone", which details the progress made over the past 12 months on the Bank's CSR strategy: Better Future, Better Off.

Energy

AMLI Residential, Green Mountain Energy Commit to 100 Percent Renewable Energy in Houston and Dallas

Apr 3, 2018 1:00 PM ET

AMLI Residential and Green Mountain Energy Company have announced a sustainability partnership to install 330 kW of solar panels across four AMLI communities in the Dallas area. AMLI is also purchasing 100% renewable energy for all of the common areas at its apartment communities in Houston and Dallas. By moving its more than 20 communities in the Texas competitive electricity market to 100 percent renewable energy, AMLI is expected to offset more than 20.1 million pounds of carbon dioxide per year, which is the equivalent of planting 2,300 trees or taking 2,100 cars off the road for a year.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

CBRE Earns 2018 Energy Star® Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award

Apr 3, 2018 12:35 PM ET

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized CBRE with a 2018 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year Sustained Excellence Award for continued leadership and superior contributions to ENERGY STAR. This marks the eleventh consecutive year CBRE has earned ENERGY STAR’s Partner of the Year award.

Research, Reports & Publications

Accenture Publishes 2017 Corporate Citizenship Report

Apr 3, 2018 12:05 PM ET

Accenture today released its 2017 Corporate Citizenship Report, which details the company’s goals and progress toward helping improve the way the world works and lives.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Ocado Reduces Food Waste Through Redistribution Initiatives

Apr 3, 2018 12:00 PM ET

Food waste is a huge global issue. Every year, UK households throw away £13 billion worth of food. A staggering 7.3 million tonnes of household food waste was thrown away in 2015, according to the waste advisory body WRAP.