ESG News from Leading Brands

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Domtar’s EarthChoice Ambassadors: Making the Domtar Difference

Sep 12, 2018 9:55 AM ET

There are many factors that make up the Domtar difference. One of them is our EarthChoice Ambassador (ECA) program. ECA is an employee engagement program that began in 2010 to promote sustainable principles throughout the company.

Research, Reports & Publications

Aflac Unveils 2017 Corporate Social Responsibility Report

Sep 12, 2018 9:50 AM ET

Aflac, the leader in voluntary insurance sales at U.S. worksites, celebrated its 2017 corporate social responsibility (CSR) accomplishments by unveiling its 2017 CSR Report: More Than a Promise. The comprehensive report highlights the actions and initiatives led by the company’s leaders, employees and independent sales agents, bringing to life and going beyond Aflac’s 63-year promise to be there when you need us most.

Health & Healthcare

Experts Unite to Discuss Mindfulness and Healthy Workplace Culture

Sep 12, 2018 9:50 AM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Hallmark Backpack Proram Feeds 1,000 Hungry Kids in Texas

Sep 12, 2018 9:45 AM ET

The lives and welfare of schoolage children have been an area of focus for the philanthropic efforts of Hallmark’s fixture operations facility in Center, Texas. Numerous employees serve as coaches, sponsors and board members for area nonprofits, and in 2017, the facility — which has fewer than 100 employees — donated $3,000 to make an impact across several local organizations.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

How to Help Your Kids not Stress About Money While They’re at School

Sep 12, 2018 9:10 AM ET

Sending your children off to university or college and starting the next chapter of their lives is an exciting time for both you and your kids. Whether they’re in first year or a returning student, with all of the academic stress they’ll be facing, the last thing you want is for your child to worry about running out of money during the year.

Sustainable Development Goals

Kohler Releases 2017 Sustainability and Stewardship Report

Sep 12, 2018 9:05 AM ET

Kohler Co., a global leader in the design and manufacture of kitchen and bath products, has released its second public sustainability and stewardship report. The report examines Kohler’s efforts to positively impact the environment and global communities. In 2017, Kohler continued to closely align with United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) including Goal 6 (Ensure Access to Water and Sanitation for All), Goal 7 (Ensure Access to Affordable, Reliable, Sustainable and Modern Energy) and Goal 12 (Ensure Responsible Consumption and Production Patterns).

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Gildan Recognized for Leading CSR Practices by FUNDAHRSE

Sep 12, 2018 9:00 AM ET

Gildan was once again a recipient of the Corporate Social Responsibility Seal awarded by the Foundation for Corporate Social Responsibility in Honduras (FUNDAHRSE). Gildan, the largest apparel manufacturer in the region, scored 100% in categories such as human rights, labor practices, environment and community engagement, against a manufacturing industry average of 95%.

Sustainable Development Goals

The UN Global Compact launches the Academy — a new digital learning platform to help companies become more sustainable

Sep 12, 2018 1:05 AM ET

Today, the United Nations Global Compact launched a new digital learning platform to help companies become more sustainable.

Sustainable Development Goals

How Sappi Ensures Responsible Wood and Fiber Sourcing

Sep 11, 2018 5:45 PM ET

Responsible manufacturing begins with responsible sourcing. For the wood products industry, it is paramount that our natural resources are used wisely. In the US, a strong legal framework has shaped and upheld responsible forestry practices for generations. The Clean Water Act first established the requirement for best management practices (BMPs) in the 1970s. Forestry BMPs have been evaluated, tested, revised, and adapted over time by each state. Third-party certification standards have led to additional improvements and provide a scalable assurance mechanism for stakeholders.

Innovation & Technology

Newsy Highlights Summer Games and the Winning Drone Solution That Could Change Lives of the Warfighter

Sep 11, 2018 4:25 PM ET

According to a survey by software marketing company Marketo, they’re future-focused realists with a drive to create things, and a majority (60%) want their jobs to impact the world. Does the terrain ahead present clear passage, or a possible ambush? Thanks to the winning project of the Booz Allen Summer Games intern challenge, ground commanders in war zones will be able to make decisions like this in minutes, rather than hours, with a portable reconnaissance device that’s easy to assemble and repair.

Media & Communications

Emilio Tenuta, Vice President of Corporate Sustainability at Ecolab, Joins WEC Board

Sep 11, 2018 4:00 PM ET

The World Environment Center (WEC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Emilio Tenuta, vice president of Corporate Sustainability at Ecolab, to its board of directors.

Tenuta is a recognized sustainability leader and for the last six years, has led Ecolab’s sustainability strategy focused on corporate responsibility, internal environmental stewardship and helping customers operate more sustainably.

Education

Making Connections: From Classroom to Career

Sep 11, 2018 3:20 PM ET

Efforts to equip students for college and career readiness are beginning earlier and earlier in the classroom. A 2015 Gallup poll of one million students in the U.S. found that only half reported feeling engaged in school, and one-fifth feel actively disengaged. These statistics show a disconcerting lapse among curriculum, students and the reasoning behind why we teach what we teach.