ESG News from Leading Brands

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

VIDEO | Hanes' Partnership with Invisible People Brings Comfort to America’s Homeless

Dec 4, 2018 8:55 AM ET

Mark Horvath, founder of Invisible People, explains why he believes a simple pair of white socks can make a dramatic difference in the lives of the estimated 3.5 million men, women and children that sleep in shelters, transitional housing and public places not meant for human habitation.

Research, Reports & Publications

Video: David Taylor, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, Perspective on P&G Citizenship Efforts

Dec 4, 2018 8:45 AM ET

We made significant progress in each area of P&G’s Citizenship work in fiscal year 2018, and we continue to actively build Citizenship into how we deliver our business results.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

12 Ways to Give Back This Giving Tuesday on eBay Through December 6th

Dec 4, 2018 8:05 AM ET

Through December 6th, shoppers can visit ebay.com/GivingTuesday and make an impact through a variety of inventory and experiences, including signed sneakers from NBA superstars such as Kevin Durant and Kobe Bryant, an autographed photo by Blake Shelton and a signed skateboard by the late iconic American comic book writer Stan Lee. All proceeds will go back to charity.

Education

Sparks of Change: Gildan Recognizes Young Leaders in Their Communities

Dec 4, 2018 8:00 AM ET

Gildan recognized six young student-athletes during the annual Foundation of Athletes for Excellence in Quebec (FAEQ) gala on November 29. The outstanding student athletes achieved strong athletic performance and outstanding academic results while demonstrating strong eadership in their communities. This year, the Gildan Leadership Category bursaries totalling $12,000 were presented to university students to support their continued academic and athletic endeavours.

Media & Communications

Crystal Valley Foods Miami Operation Earns Organic Handler Certification

Dec 4, 2018 7:00 AM ET

Crystal Valley Foods (Crystal Valley) has received the organic handler certification at its warehouse and distribution center in Miami Florida. The certification was issued by SCS Global Services (SCS).

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Shire Recognized for Environmental Leadership

Dec 3, 2018 5:05 PM ET

On November 14, 2018, Shire was honored with the 2018 SEAL Environmental Initiative Award for its leadership and commitment to sustainable business practices. The SEAL (Sustainability, Environmental Achievement & Leadership) Awards celebrate companies that embrace ethical responsibility to drive environmental leadership and change. The 2018 Award specifically recognized companies for their environmental impact, innovation, investment, and insight.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

In a New Economic Era, Workforce of Future Requires Companies to Rethink Employee Experience

Dec 3, 2018 4:15 PM ET

According to a new report Making work more meaningful: Building a fulfilling employee experience, published by CECP: The CEO Force for Good, Imperative, and PwC, the early days of a “Fourth Industrial Revolution” require a new standard for the employee experience around higher meaning and fulfillment at work. A staggering majority of employees believe that achieving fulfillment at work is possible – 96% of those surveyed.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

KeyBank Enables the Rehabilitation of Affordable Seniors Housing in Puyallup, WA

Dec 3, 2018 2:30 PM ET

KeyBank provided and arranged both construction and permanent financing to support the Senior Housing Assistant Group (SHAG) with the acquisition and rehabilitation of Sunset Garden Apartments, an affordable seniors housing property serving those aged 62 or older in Puyallup, WA.

Education

"Let’s Train Humans First….Before We Train Machines"

Dec 3, 2018 2:05 PM ET

We humans are at the absurd stage in our technological evolution when we seem to have abandoned our common sense. Billions are spent by governments, corporations and investors in training computer-based algorithms (i.e. computer programs) in today’s mindless rush to create so-called "artificial" intelligence, widely advertised as AI. Meanwhile, training our children and their brains (already superior to computer algorithms) is under-funded, schools are dilapidated, sited in run-down, often polluted areas while our teachers are poorly paid and need greater respect. How did our national priorities get so skewed?

Diversity & Inclusion

Scotiabank Video: Today is International Day of People with Disabilities

Dec 3, 2018 2:05 PM ET

Environment

Ray C. Anderson Foundation's Grant to Emory University Supports Statewide Climate Consortium Co-Founded With the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech

Dec 3, 2018 1:45 PM ET

As many nations are meeting about climate impacts in Katowice, Poland, for COP24, and just over a week after the release of the U.S. National Climate Assessment Report, nonprofits and university leaders in Georgia are choosing not to take the "wait and see" posiiton. Instead, they are forging ahead to ensure that Georgians are educated on the issue and provided with the best tools and research to take the lead in climate action.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

VIDEO | Mohawk’s George Bandy Jr. | 2018 USGBC Leadership Award Recipient

Dec 3, 2018 1:30 PM ET

Last month, Mohawk Industries VP of sustainability and commercial marketing George Bandy Jr. was recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council with the prestigious USGBC Leadership Award. Bandy was presented with the accolade by Mahesh Ramanujam, USGBC president and CEO, during a special ceremony in Chicago that coincided with the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo.

Watch this clip to learn why Bandy was inspired to pursue a career and calling in sustainability and how his role at Mohawk has allowed him to continue on his own personal journey to believe in better.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

KeyBank Finances New Construction of Affordable Housing for Families in Arlington, WA

Dec 3, 2018 1:30 PM ET

KeyBank provided and arranged both construction and permanent financing supporting AVS Communities’ plan to construct The Villas at Arlington, a 312-unit, mid-rise apartment complex with 17 three-story residential buildings. The property is subject to Section 42 of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program and will make affordable housing options available to families earning less than 60% area median income (AMI) in Arlington, WA.

Education

HP Commits to Educate 100,000 Across Africa in the Next Three Years, Opens HP LIFE Center for Entrepreneurship in South Africa

Dec 3, 2018 12:50 PM ET

Events, Media & Communications

Introducing the Bloomberg Good Business Hub

Dec 3, 2018 12:25 PM ET

Launched in conjunction with Sustainable Finance Week, Bloomberg's Good Business Hub sponsored by Nuveen provides the latest reporting on sustainable investment practices, climate risk and policy, global demographics and the changing labor market.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

It's National Roof Over Your Head Day!

Dec 3, 2018 12:00 PM ET

Energy

Cutting US Transportation Energy In Half

Dec 3, 2018 11:55 AM ET

A campaign has been launched to cut US transportation energy use by 50% by 2050. Audi of America President Scott Keogh and National Grid US President Dean Seavers are the chairs of the Alliance to Save Energy’s 50×50 Commission. Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto (D) and Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price (R) are members of a diverse coalition including manufacturers, consumer groups, utilities, environmental groups, and public officials. Natasha Vidangos, Vice President of Research for the Alliance to Save Energy, answered some questions about the campaign for CleanTechnica.

Media & Communications

Scary Stuff: The Fourth Official "Climate Science Special Report" by the U.S. Government's “Global Change Research Program"

Dec 3, 2018 11:30 AM ET

Whether you are an investor, company executive or board member, or an issue advocate, or civic leader, these “high probability” outcomes should keep you up at night: more superstorms; more drought; increased risk of forest fires; more floods; rising sea levels; melting glaciers; ocean acidification; increasing atmospheric water vapor (thus, more powerful rainstorms)…and more.

Green Infrastructure

5 Retail Trends to Look for in 2019

Dec 3, 2018 11:20 AM ET

What do the experts predict about retail for 2019, and what insights can we glean from emerging trends like changes in fulfillment capabilities? Will we continue to see "buy online, pick up in store" as a convenience for customers and a lesser load on logistics networks?

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Kimberly-Clark’s Commitment to Forest Conservation Recognized with a 2018 FSC® Leadership Award

Dec 3, 2018 11:00 AM ET

Kimberly-Clark, along with its partners from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), were honored by the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) with a 2018 Leadership Award for Kimberly-Clark and WWF’s “Heart Your Planet” collaboration. The program was unanimously selected for the Uncommon Partnership award for its success in engaging consumers to look for the WWF Panda logo and FSC® label on product packaging to support responsible forest management.

Innovation & Technology

Ameren Successfully Completes Industry-leading 60-mile Drone Flight Over Transmission Lines, Paving the Way for Safe, Efficient Aerial Infrastructure Inspections

Dec 3, 2018 9:40 AM ET

With thousands of miles of high-voltage lines, Ameren Corp. wanted a better and safer way to monitor its assets spread over rural territories beyond manual or helicopter inspections. The St. Louis-based energy company worked with Black & Veatch and Collins Aerospace to identify a solution: Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone flights. The team now has proven they can inspect more miles of transmission lines faster and safer than ever envisioned.

Health & Healthcare

Putting Kids Around the Globe First: Johnson & Johnson Announces a $10 Million Pledge to UNICEF

Dec 3, 2018 9:25 AM ET

If there's one universal truth about kids, it may be this: They want to grow up as quickly as possible. And for over 100 years, Johnson & Johnson has been working to help them grow up as healthy as possible, too.

Education

Powering the Movement with Global Citizen to Change the World Through Education

Dec 3, 2018 8:50 AM ET

Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world.” We couldn’t agree more. Quality education helps break the cycle of poverty. It promotes equality and empowerment, enables economic growth and prosperity, and helps create a more peaceful, sustainable society. The UN Sustainable Development Goals list inclusive, quality education and lifelong learning as one of the key drivers in helping achieve many of the 17 Global Goals. Powerful indeed.

Research, Reports & Publications

Survey Finds "Brands Taking Stands"​ Phenomenon is Here to Stay

Dec 3, 2018 8:45 AM ET

A longtime marketing and content partner of The Conference Board, 3BL Media has its finger on the pulse of the communications practices of companies with active corporate responsibility programs.

Environment

World’s Leading Forestry and Agroforestry Organizations Merge for Accelerated Impact Against Climate Change

Dec 3, 2018 8:30 AM ET

Innovation and investments worth trillions of dollars in landscape restoration, climate adaptation and science-based policy advice will be needed if the global community is to meet the escalating threats posed by climate change.