ESG News from Leading Brands

Research, Reports & Publications

A New Era for Sustainability at Radisson Hotel Group

Apr 2, 2019 9:00 AM ET

One of the first big milestones for this Responsible Business pioneer in the hospitality industry, was the introduction of the umbrella corporate brand – Radisson Hotel Group – leveraging the global brand recognition of Radisson. The company defined a new five-year strategy, in which Responsible Business is one of the essential drivers of delivering Memorable and Meaningful Moments to guests.

Health & Healthcare

Gilead Launches HepConnect Initiative to Reduce Hepatitis C Infections in Greater Appalachia

Apr 1, 2019 5:35 PM ET

<p>FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar. 28, 2019-- Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: GILD) today announced HepConnect, a five-year, multi-million dollar initiative aimed at addressing the sharp increase in chronic hepatitis C (HCV) infections fueled by the nation's opioid crisis. In partnership with the Harm Reduction Coalition (HRC) and local organizations, the initiative will support evidence-based solutions to meet the needs of people most affected by the opioid crisis in Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia.</p><p>According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the increase in injection drug use has led to a more than tripling of new HCV infections in greater Appalachia. The CDC reports that in central Appalachia, HCV infections rose 364 percent b

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Smithfield Foods’ Facilities Earn National Sustainability Recognition

Apr 1, 2019 4:30 PM ET

Smithfield Foods, Inc. is pleased to announce that ProFood World selected the company’s Kinston, North Carolina and Sioux City, Iowa facilities as winners of the 2018 Sustainability Excellence in Manufacturing Awards (SEMA). The annual awards program honors companies for exceptional sustainability achievements in food, beverage, and consumer products manufacturing.

Education

Educators From Loudoun County Virginia Learn Computational Thinking Approaches Through New Professional Development Initiative

Apr 1, 2019 4:10 PM ET

Tata Consultancy Services, (TCS), (BSE: 532540, NSE: TCS) a leading IT services, consulting and business solutions organization, and Discovery Education, the leading provider of standards-aligned digital curriculum resources, engaging content, and professional learning for K-12 classrooms, delivered the Ignite My Future in School TECHademy Day of Discovery to local Loudoun County teachers at Harmony Middle School in Hamilton, Va. This professional development initiative connected local educators with curriculum experts to explore and learn to integrate computational thinking concepts into all core subjects using a transdisciplinary education approach.

Environment

Subaru of America Kicks Off “Subaru Loves the Earth” With Renewed Partnership With Terracycle®

Apr 1, 2019 3:50 PM ET

Subaru of America, Inc. today announced its ongoing partnership with TerraCycle®, the world’s leader in the collection and repurposing of complex waste streams, to help divert hard-to-recycle waste from landfills and incinerators through the automaker’s environmentally-focused philanthropic platform, Subaru Loves the Earth.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Ten Tips to Celebrate Keep America Beautiful Month

Apr 1, 2019 3:40 PM ET

It’s April – and that means it’s Keep America Beautiful® Month!

Health & Healthcare

Walmart Sparks a Multi-Stakeholder Effort to Fight Hunger in the U.S.

Apr 1, 2019 2:00 PM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Help JetBlue ‘GreenUp®’ Your Local Community with Grants for Local Environmental Non-Profits

Apr 1, 2019 2:00 PM ET

JetBlue today launched its annual “GreenUp” campaign which highlights the airline’s commitment to local environments. In celebration of Earth Month, JetBlue is empowering its customers to educate themselves, and join the airline in donating and volunteering with non-profits working to preserve natural spaces. From April 1-15, 2019, JetBlue For Good, the airline’s platform for social impact and corporate responsibility, is encouraging customers to nominate their favorite earth-friendly non-profit for a chance to receive a grant at jetblueforgood.com/GreenUp. One lucky non-profit will be rewarded with a grand prize grant of $20,000 and three runners-up will each receive a $5,000 grant.

Innovation & Technology

Scotiabank Launches New Digital Mortgage Experience “Scotiabank eHOME"

Apr 1, 2019 2:00 PM ET

eHOME is making online banking safer and easier for their Canadian customers.

Responsible Production & Consumption

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Tetra Pak and ABB Pioneer Digital Energy Assessment Programme to Help Food Producers Reduce Their Environmental Impact and Cut Costs

Apr 1, 2019 1:35 PM ET

​Based on pilot projects in the Americas, the programme can potentially reduce carbon emissions for food and beverage manufacturing and cut energy cost by between 15% and 25%.

Diversity & Inclusion

Adaptive Sports Champ Trevor Kennison: ‘Skiing Makes Me Feel Whole’

Apr 1, 2019 1:30 PM ET

Trevor Kennison lay on the ground looking up, as snow fell on his face. It was Nov. 15, 2014. Just moments earlier, he’d attempted a jump while snowboarding in Vail Pass, in the Rocky Mountain backcountry of Colorado, but he lost control when the snow caught the edge of his snowboard and flipped him forward. Visit Wells Fargo Stories to watch the video: https://stories.wf.com/adaptive-sports-champ-trevor-kennison-skiing-makes-feel-whole

Environment

Tesco Tests Plastic-Free in Produce Aisle

Apr 1, 2019 1:15 PM ET

Plastic use continues to plague our planet, with 40 percent only being used once before ending up in our landfills, waterways and oceans. The use of plastic in products and packaging has become a critical concern for companies, consumers and other stakeholders alike.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Inclusiveness 4.0

Apr 1, 2019 12:55 PM ET

Pro bono consultants from SAP teamed up with The Inclusion Factory, a Shanghai-based industrial workshop that is proving the employment potential of people with constrained physical and intellectual capabilities.

Green Infrastructure

Duke Energy Proposes $76M Electric Transportation Program in North Carolina; Southeast’s Largest Utility EV Initiative Yet

Apr 1, 2019 12:30 PM ET

As part of its commitment to build a cleaner and smarter North Carolina, Duke Energy is proposing the largest investment in electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure ever in the Southeast – a $76 million initiative to spur EV adoption across the state.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Xylem Employee Fundraises for Xylem Watermark by Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

Apr 1, 2019 12:00 PM ET

Xylem Watermark’s mission—to provide and protect safe water resources for communities in need around the world, and to educate people about water issues—comes alive through the commitment of passionate Xylem employees such as Paul Raybould. On February 7th, Paul showed his dedication to solving water by traveling to Africa to climb Mount Kilimanjaro and interact with community members in the local area who lack access to clean water.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

TriplePundit Flash: Yes, Smaller Brands Can Help End Global Poverty

Apr 1, 2019 12:00 PM ET

Whole Planet Foundation focuses on microloans, which the organization has designed for ease of access; the way in which this program works is critical because acquiring seed money is a formidable task for anyone in poverty. TriplePundit’s Tina Casey recently showcased how Whole Planet Foundation is partnering with several food companies to make a global impact for the better.

Energy

From Renewable Energy’s Complexity, a Silver Lining

Apr 1, 2019 11:30 AM ET

Today’s businesses are securing renewable energy in record numbers. In fact, commercial and industrial companies contracted for more renewables last year than ever before — 6.5 GW compared to 2.8 GW in 2017. In Texas alone, the total amount of energy generated from wind and solar has reached nearly 20 percent in recent years. The state stands out for its abundance of renewables offered at attractive prices, motivating businesses to sign large offtake agreements.

Environment

SC Johnson Plans Shift to Geothermal Power at Headquarters, Significantly Reducing Energy Use

Apr 1, 2019 11:00 AM ET

SC Johnson today is announcing its intention to use geothermal energy to power its Racine headquarters, a move that will greatly reduce the company’s environmental footprint and positions the company as a leader in the private sector in the transition to cleaner, renewable energy sources.

Innovation & Technology

DoseBiome: The Start-Up That's on a Mission to Make Better Oral Care as Simple as Sipping Tea

Apr 1, 2019 10:15 AM ET

In honor of World Oral Health Day, check out this enterprising company focused on helping supplement regular dental care with an innovative drink.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Congratulations to Jacki Robinson-Ivy, Recipient of the Women's History Month Outstanding Service in Business Award

Apr 1, 2019 9:05 AM ET

Congratulations to Jacki Robinson-Ivy, recipient of the Women's History Month Outstanding Service in Business Award. Jacki is an active member in Chicago Children's Advocacy Ctr, the Northern Trust United Way Leadership Team, and Chicago United Leaders Circle, just to name a few.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Fifth Third Delivers $20.3 Billion of its Community Commitment at Conclusion of Plan’s Third Year

Apr 1, 2019 9:00 AM ET

Fifth Third Bancorp today announced continued strong progress against its five-year Community Commitment.

Environment

Interview With Renee Walmsley, Remote Sensing Expert

Apr 1, 2019 9:00 AM ET

Ms. Walmsley leads Tetra Tech’s geomatic technologies group and is the program manager for remote sensing. She has more than fifteen years of experience in the environmental management and consulting industries. She is a certified GISP and PMP. Her experience includes using GIS and remote sensing technology on projects throughout the United States and internationally.

Green Infrastructure

Forward-Thinking Design Meets the Needs of a Changing Workforce on HP’s New Houston Campus

Apr 1, 2019 9:00 AM ET

A project two years in the making, the 378,000-square-foot campus in Springwoods Village, north of downtown Houston, celebrated its official grand opening on February 7. Two new buildings, constructed from the ground up, replace HP’s previous Houston campus and are now home to around 2,300 employees.

Diversity & Inclusion

Hear Her Story: Q&A with Amanda Thornhill, Merchandising Manager at Gildan

Apr 1, 2019 9:00 AM ET

Amanda, Merchandising Manager for Gildan, shares her passion for product development and the leaders that have helped her along the way in her nine years at Gildan. Here is her story:

Events, Media & Communications

Comerica Bank Returns To Sponsor Free Prix Day for Seventh Consecutive Year

Apr 1, 2019 9:00 AM ET

Thanks to Comerica Bank, fans will have the opportunity to experience all the fun and excitement of the 30th Grand Prix in Detroit’s history FREE of charge on Friday, May 31. For the seventh consecutive year, Comerica Bank Free Prix Day will allow everyone to witness the first day of on-track activity at the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear at no cost.