ESG News from Leading Brands

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

NAEM Expands EHS&S Excellence Awards as 2019 Nominations Open

Apr 10, 2019 2:05 PM ET

To honor outstanding corporate leaders whose efforts are transforming companies from within, the National Association for Environment, Health, Safety and Sustainability Management (NAEM) is expanding its Excellence Awards program in 2019, the association announced today.

Sustainable Development Goals

Report: Michigan Adds 4,800 Clean Energy Jobs in 2018; 9% Growth Projected

Apr 10, 2019 1:20 PM ET

Michigan has the most clean energy jobs in the Midwest, topping Illinois by nearly 3,000, and it is ranked fifth in the nation for number of clean energy jobs. Whirlpool Corp. is one of the largest clean energy job employers.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Stanley Black & Decker Opens State-of-the-Art Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Hartford, CT

Apr 10, 2019 1:00 PM ET

The center will also be an innovation hub for the local region, helping Hartford continue its evolution as a leading market for advanced manufacturing in the United States.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Top 3 Corporate Sustainability Trends all Business Leaders Should be Watching in 2019

Apr 10, 2019 12:35 PM ET

Last year, I identified the top corporate sustainability trends of 2018. Six months later, I revisited those trends and shared company-specific examples that pointed to their growing traction.

I decided to repeat this process again for this year. But, before I share the top trends for 2019, let me first explain how they are identified.

Environment

Cascadian Farm Works to Advance Climate-Beneficial Foods With Limited-Edition, Small-Batch Honey Toasted Kernza® Cereal

Apr 10, 2019 12:30 PM ET

Cascadian FarmTM, a pioneer in the organic food movement, is working to advance climate-beneficial foods with the launch of its small-batch, limited-edition Honey Toasted Kernza® cereal.

Events, Media & Communications

Thought Leaders Emphasize Cattle Health and Well-Being for the Sustainable Development of the Beef Industry

Apr 10, 2019 12:30 PM ET

Bayer brought together global thought leaders in beef cattle health and management to share the latest in research and innovation at its 2nd International Beef Symposium in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil from 31st March to 2nd April.

More than 220 participating cattle veterinarians and producers from 14 countries had access to the latest in research and knowledge, and engaged in discussions with global experts. The three-day symposium featured a curated program encompassing scientific presentations, expert panel discussions and a day on a beef cattle farm for hands-on demonstrations and application of science in practice.

Diversity & Inclusion

Queen Latifah with Dee Rees: Premiere of the Queen Collective Shorts

Apr 10, 2019 12:05 PM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Sysco Partners with Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley’s The Store to Help Feed Those in Need

Apr 10, 2019 12:05 PM ET

Sysco’s new sponsorship with Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley’s non-profit organization, The Store, as part of our Nourishing Neighbors initiative, will provide refrigeration equipment for The Store facility and fresh produce through FreshPoint.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

The TriplePundit Flash: New Fund Aims to Close Lending Gap for Women Entrepreneurs

Apr 10, 2019 12:00 PM ET

The Wisdom Fund, a fixed income vehicle that increases capital access and lending for women-owned businesses, was created by CNote in partnership with mission-driven lender CDC Small Business Finance and four innovative nonprofits.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Viacom Scores Perfect 100 on Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index

Apr 10, 2019 11:30 AM ET

Walking among the 2 million revelers at last year’s New York City Pride Parade was a yellow-clad contingent of 350 marchers clustered around floats sponsored by VH1 and Comedy Central. These employees, media members and corporate partners marching on behalf of Viacom underscored the company’s dedication to supporting, promoting and delivering equality to the LGBTQ community.

Energy

Hormel Foods to Become Powered by Nearly 50 Percent Renewable Energy

Apr 10, 2019 10:45 AM ET

The new wind farm will be located near Milligan, Nebraska. Construction is expected to be completed in 2020. The farm will be capable of 74 MW of power and an estimated 349,000 MWh of electricity each year. Hormel Foods partnered with Kinect Energy Group to assess the project and negotiate the agreement. In addition to this agreement, Hormel Foods also supports the renewable energy markets by subscribing to community solar gardens at five manufacturing locations, including a co-sponsorship with Westar Energy for its first community solar garden near Wichita, Kan., where the company manufactures most of its Hormel® Natural Choice® bacon products.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Bloomberg Is Named a “Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality” by Human Rights Campaign Foundation for Third Straight Year

Apr 10, 2019 10:35 AM ET

Bloomberg has been named one of the Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality, receiving a perfect score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2019 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), a benchmarking tool on corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ workplace equality across the United States. Bloomberg joins the ranks of more than 560 major U.S. businesses that earned top marks this year.

Environment

Ray C. Anderson Foundation’s NextGen Committee Issues Grant RFP for Projects Helping to Reduce Global Warming

Apr 10, 2019 10:30 AM ET

The NextGen Committee of the Ray C. Anderson Foundation has issued a call for proposals for one $100,000 grant to fund work in the 2020 calendar year for new or existing programs that will help to reduce global warming, whether through direct carbon avoidance, climate communication, climate education, industry engagement, or otherwise.

Health & Healthcare

Responsibility.org’s Ask, Listen, Learn Program and Discovery Education Uncover the Science Behind How Alcohol Affects Developing Brains, Bodies, and Behavior During Alcohol Responsibility Month

Apr 10, 2019 10:30 AM ET

To turn awareness into action this Alcohol Responsibility Month, Responsibility.org’s Ask, Listen, Learn: Kids and Alcohol Don’t Mix program, the most widely-distributed underage drinking prevention program of its kind, and Discovery Education, the leading provider of standards-aligned digital curriculum resources, engaging content, and professional learning for K-12 classrooms, today announced a new partnership aimed at educating students about the negative effects of underage drinking on the developing brain.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Helping Women Build Assets through Successful Homeownership

Apr 10, 2019 10:05 AM ET

Homewise is working with women, particularly those of low-to-moderate income, to build assets through successful and sustainable homeownership. Each year single women and single mothers make up 30 percent of new Homewise homeowners; that’s nearly 200 New Mexico women buying a home of their own and building financial stability and wellbeing every year.

Responsible Production & Consumption

SCS Global Services Chosen as Launch Partner for Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) Standard

Apr 10, 2019 10:05 AM ET

SCS Global Services (SCS) is partnering with the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) to deliver certification services for the initiative’s new Standard for Responsible Mining. Beginning in June 2019, SCS will conduct independent, third-party audits for mining companies seeking credible verification of their achievement levels or full certification to the IRMA Standard.

Environment

Georgina Gustin on the Farm Bureau

Apr 10, 2019 9:30 AM ET

You may or may not have heard of the Farm Bureau but it is one of the most powerful lobbying organizations in this country, representing over six million members.

Innovation & Technology

Liju Augustine Represented Northern Trust as a Panelist in the NASSCOM Product Conclave Event

Apr 10, 2019 9:25 AM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

VIDEO | 2018 Subaru Share the Love Event National Partners Donation Ceremony Highlights

Apr 10, 2019 9:00 AM ET

The 2018 Subaru Share the Love Event raised a total of $27.5 million for national and local charities. Over the last 11 years, through the Share the Love Event, Subaru of America and its retailers have donated more than $145.7 million to national charities and over 1,170 hometown charities.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Tetra Tech Wins Climate Change Business Journal and Environmental Business Journal Awards

Apr 10, 2019 9:00 AM ET

Climate Change Business Journal (CCBJ) and Environmental Business Journal (EBJ) recognized Tetra Tech with two business achievement awards at the Environmental Industry Summit XVII in San Diego, California, on March 20, 2019. Tetra Tech won the CCBJ Business Achievement Award for Consulting & Engineering Practice in the Offshore Wind category and the EBJ Business Achievement Silver Award for Large Firms.

Diversity & Inclusion

Schneider Electric Accelerates Its Practices of Gender Equality and Inclusion Forward with 100% Leadership Commitment to UN Women's Empowerment Principles

Apr 10, 2019 9:00 AM ET

Schneider Electric announced today that it is the first multi-national company to achieve 100% commitment to the UN Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs) across its global leadership team. In addition to the company's Chairman and CEO, Jean-Pascal Tricoire, each of the company's country presidents in markets with at least 10 employees have also personally signed the WEPs, further committing the company to its practices of gender equality and inclusion.

Research, Reports & Publications

Co-op Way Report 2018

Apr 10, 2019 5:00 AM ET

The Co-op is one of the world’s largest consumer co-operatives, with over 4.6 million active members. Its purpose is ‘Championing a better way of doing business for you and your communities’.

Today the Co-op announces the launch of its 13th annual sustainability report.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Points of Light Celebrates National Volunteer Week With a Focus on Recognizing Individuals Who Make a Difference

Apr 9, 2019 8:00 PM ET

Points of Light, in partnership with The UPS Foundation and TEGNA, celebrates National Volunteer Week, April 7-13, 2019, through volunteer recognition and service events around the country. Each year, National Volunteer Week is celebration of the power of volunteers to tackle society’s greatest challenges, to build stronger communities and be a force that transforms the world.

Diversity & Inclusion

Empower Series, Inc. in Partnership with Comerica Bank and the Houston Area Urban League Launches in Houston

Apr 9, 2019 4:05 PM ET

The EMPOWER Series, a free financial education and self-development coaching and counseling program, in partnership with Comerica Bank and the Houston Area Urban League, is expanding to the Greater Houston area beginning Saturday, April 13. The seminars will be held on the second Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Houston Area Urban League – Palm Center location.

Events, Media & Communications

Taproot Foundation Gathers Movers and Shakers of the Pro Bono Movement in New York City for 2019 Global Pro Bono Summit

Apr 9, 2019 3:25 PM ET

Nonprofits and non-governmental organizations around the world are taking on society’s greatest challenges each and every day. But how can these organizations get the support they need to meet the mounting needs in our communities?

The Taproot Foundation, with support from BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt and Impact Sponsor BNY Mellon, will gather leaders of the pro bono movement from 25 countries to explore emerging trends at the 7th annual Global Pro Bono Summit, May 7 – 9, in New York City. The 2019 Summit marks the first time since 2014 that the event returns stateside.