ESG News from Leading Brands

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Fun, Festive and Fierce: Our First Drag Queen Brunch in Chicago

Jun 20, 2019 10:00 AM ET

It was our first-ever MileagePlus Exclusives Drag Queen Brunch in Chicago. To attend the event, participants donated their miles to The Trevor Project, a nonprofit that provides intervention and suicide prevention services for LGBTQ youth.

Research, Reports & Publications

Cigna Demonstrates Commitment to Health of People, Communities and Environment

Jun 20, 2019 9:00 AM ET

Global health service company Cigna released its 2018 Cigna Connects Corporate Responsibility Report providing a comprehensive view of the company’s approach to Cigna's environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategic initiatives and performance. The Cigna Connects platform is centered on positively impacting the health of people, communities and the environment by serving as a catalyst of action and convener of stakeholders, and 2018 was a year of progress, connections and new commitments.

Energy

Project Update: What's New at the MCAS Miramar Microgrid

Jun 20, 2019 9:00 AM ET

The microgrid project at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar continues to progress. Check out the latest updates and see photos of the new microgrid components.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

VMware Named to Computer World's Best Places to Work in IT 2019

Jun 19, 2019 5:15 PM ET

Computerworld has ranked VMware among the Best Places to Work in IT 2019. VMware came in at number 12 out of the 49 large organizations (5,000+ U.S. employees) to make the list, which recognizes excellence in career developments, benefits, retention, training and diversity.

Events, Media & Communications

Employee Giving Can Benefit Your Employee Engagement and Retention Strategy. How? Find Out at Booth #3423 at the 2019 SHRM Conference in Las Vegas Next Week

Jun 19, 2019 4:45 PM ET

Are you attending the SHRM 2019 Annual Conference & Exposition next week? We invite you to meet in-person with our team while we’re together in Las Vegas to discuss your employee giving and engagement efforts and how we might help you achieve your giving and engagement goals.

Research, Reports & Publications

EHS&S Leadership Success Requires an Investment in Executive Presence

Jun 19, 2019 4:30 PM ET

Those who succeed to the ranks of leadership within the environmental, health, safety and sustainability (EHS&S) profession bring more than just technical expertise to the role, according to a new report published this week by the National Association for EHS&S Management (NAEM).

Diversity & Inclusion

Bloomberg Celebrates Pride Month in June, Marks 50 Years Since the Stonewall Uprising

Jun 19, 2019 3:40 PM ET

Bloomberg LP is celebrating Pride Month in its offices around the world, building on decades of the company’s support for its LGBT employees and the community at large. Throughout the month, Bloomberg’s LGBT & Ally Community (BProud) is hosting and participating in multiple events around the globe.

Diversity & Inclusion

Healthcare Diversity Council to Host Inaugural National Diversity Conference Promoting Equity and Inclusion in the Healthcare Industry

Jun 19, 2019 3:30 PM ET

The Healthcare Diversity Council, an initiative of the National Diversity Council, will host an inaugural conference focused on equity in the healthcare system on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 from 7:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. at MD Anderson Cancer Center. The 2019 National Healthcare Diversity Conference will engage participants in conversations focused on equitable practices in the healthcare space on the theme, “Diversity Transcending: Many Faces in the Mission of Inclusion.”

Energy

Repeal and Replace of Clean Power Plan is a “ Step Backwards” for the U.S.

Jun 19, 2019 3:05 PM ET

The Environmental Protection Agency repeal and replacement of the Clean Power Plan (CPP) is a “step backwards for U.S. climate action and global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said Anne Kelly, vice president of government relations at the sustainability nonprofit organization Ceres.

Research, Reports & Publications

HP Reveals Bold New Commitments for Driving a Circular and Low-Carbon Economy

Jun 19, 2019 3:00 PM ET

HP Inc. (NYSE: HPQ) today released its 2018 Sustainable Impact Report, including an industry-leading goal to increase recycled content plastics across its print and personal systems portfolio to 30% by 2025, continuing the company’s long legacy of leadership in this area.

Environment

How Cooking with Solar Power in China Decreases Air Pollution and Empowers Women

Jun 19, 2019 3:00 PM ET

While prevalent in this region, the challenges of coal-powered cooking are not unique to the Henan province. Globally, the Clean Cooking Alliance, a US-based non-profit, says more than three billion people rely on non-planet-friendly fuels like wood, charcoal, coal, and kerosene to cook their food every day. Using a better cooker can be a big investment for households, already putting a strain on tight budgets. Plus, it has to be powered up constantly with some type of fuel — another added cost.

Energy

REC Solar Saves California School District Millions Through Innovative Solar Energy Solutions

Jun 19, 2019 2:15 PM ET

REC Solar, a subsidiary of Duke Energy Renewables, is working with the Pleasanton Unified School District in Pleasanton, Calif., to utilize solar plus energy storage solutions to significantly cut its emissions and save on energy costs.

Environment

Soil4Climate: To Meat or Not To Meat?

Jun 19, 2019 1:30 PM ET

To meat or not to meat? That is the question. Recent innovations in lab-grown meats seem to be making non-meat burgers and tacos a tastier option than they have ever been. But are these products too good to be true?

Diversity & Inclusion

Duke Energy Celebrates LGBTQ Teammates and Their Allies

Jun 19, 2019 1:00 PM ET

When a colleague told Keith Gifford about Duke Energy’s employee resource group for LGBTQ individuals and straight allies, Gifford didn’t hesitate to join. For him, being an ally comes from a personal place.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Meet Adam Lassiter, Agronomist for Smithfield Foods

Jun 19, 2019 12:35 PM ET

Meet Adam Lassiter, agronomist for Smithfield Foods. Adam takes pride in working with farmers to sustainably produce grain for Smithfield’s hogs. To date, Smithfield has helped hundreds of grain farmers implement conservation practices in the Southeast and Midwest.

Sustainable Development Goals

365 Days of Caring: 13 Ways Johnson & Johnson Helped Progress Health for Humanity in 2018

Jun 19, 2019 12:30 PM ET

Diversity & Inclusion

Keys to Productive Workplaces: Diversity in Talent, Gender, Ethnicity, Sexual Orientation, Cultural Perspectives, and Experiences

Jun 19, 2019 12:15 PM ET

Environment

Boston Scientific Joins Healthcare Plastics Recycling Council

Jun 19, 2019 11:55 AM ET

The Healthcare Plastics Recycling Council (HPRC) is pleased to welcome Boston Scientific, a global device manufacturer specializing in interventional medical specialties, as its newest member. Headquartered in Marlborough, Massachusetts, Boston Scientific has over 20,000 employees in 40 countries dedicated to developing solutions that transform patients’ lives and help healthcare professionals provide the best care.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Comerica Receives Civic 50 Honor For Commitment To Improving Local Communities

Jun 19, 2019 11:45 AM ET

Comerica Incorporated (NYSE:CMA) received national recognition for its work in the communities, earning The Civic 50 by Points of Light award. The honor recognizes Comerica as one of the most community-minded companies in the United States.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

IVECO Wins “Green Truck Innovation 2019” Award for the Stralis NP

Jun 19, 2019 11:35 AM ET

IVECO’s Stralis NP has been handed the “Green Truck Innovation” award by German logistics magazine “Verkehrsrundschau”.

Innovation & Technology

Comcast Launches Eye-Control For The Television

Jun 19, 2019 11:30 AM ET

Comcast today launched a feature that gives people with physical disabilities like spinal cord injuries or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) the ability to navigate their television using only their eyes.

Environment

Environmental Sustainability Meets Business Sustainability: 7 Companies Bridging the Gap Through Smart Investments & Innovation

Jun 19, 2019 11:25 AM ET

Environmental sustainability is simply part of doing business in a climate change world. From reducing energy usage and water waste to improving recycling and reuse efforts, companies large and small have implemented tactics and strategies to reduce their carbon footprints.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

MilliporeSigma Launches Four-Year Push for Packaging Sustainability

Jun 19, 2019 11:15 AM ET

The quest for supply-chain sustainability requires paying as much attention to the package as the product inside it.

That necessity that doesn’t escape global life science leader MilliporeSigma. The company has launched a four-year effort to enforce green packaging for well over 300,000 products, translating into some 30,000 shipments a day.

Innovation & Technology

Iowa’s Buena Vista University Launches New Track Within Online Master’s Degree Program Powered by Discovery Education to Support K-12 Educators in the Creation of Dynamic Digital Learning Environments for Today’s Students

Jun 19, 2019 11:00 AM ET

Iowa’s Buena Vista University (BVU) is launching a new track within their online Master’s Degree program designed from the ground up for the full-time K-12 educator powered by Discovery Education, the leader in standards-aligned digital curriculum resources, engaging content, and professional learning for K-12 classrooms.

Social Impact & Volunteering

General Mills' 2019 Global Volunteer Week Sees Record Engagement Worldwide

Jun 19, 2019 11:00 AM ET

A record 3,937 General Mills employees participated in our 10th annual Global Volunteer Week, including employees from 46 locations (including 17 countries). In total, our employees dedicated more than 6,637 volunteer hours, which included positively impacting the environment, supporting hunger relief efforts, and helping our furry friends at animal rescue organizations.