ESG News from Leading Brands

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

A New Dream Is Born in Villas De Aranjuéz, Cartagena

Nov 5, 2018 6:00 PM ET

Shakira and her Pies Descalzos Foundation, the Ministry of Education with its Financial Fund of Educational Infrastructure, Cartagena’s Major’s office, the District Educational Secretary, Mario Santo Domingo Foundation, Costa Cruises and the program of Economic Cooperation and Development of the Switzerland Embassy in Colombia with the Architecture Department of the ETH Zürich, announce the beginning of the construction of a new Educational Institution in Cartagena city.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Speaking Out on Policies That Count

Nov 5, 2018 3:30 PM ET

From economic and political empowerment, to environmental and climate justice, to education, healthcare and public safety, here's how NAACP is speaking out on policies that count.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

MetLife Recognized as Military Friendly Employer Seventh Year in a Row

Nov 5, 2018 3:20 PM ET

MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET) announced today it has been recognized as a Military Friendly® Employer and Military Friendly® Spouse Employer. This is the seventh year in a row MetLife has been recognized for its commitment to supporting veterans and fostering a culture that honors the experiences, traits and skills of those who have served or continue to serve their country. It is the fourth year MetLife has been recognized for its support of Military Spouses.

Energy

VMware Achieves Carbon Neutrality Across Global Operations

Nov 5, 2018 3:05 PM ET

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

The Conference Board of Canada's Latest Report in the Canada 2030 Series: The Defining Forces Disrupting Business

Nov 5, 2018 2:45 PM ET

Earlier in 2018, The Conference Board of Canada published the latest in their Canada 2030 series, titled The Defining Forces Disrupting Business. Written with an eye towards helping Canadian businesses and investors understand the disrupting forces likely to affect organizations over the next decade, Canada 2030: The Defining Forces Disrupting Business report encourages readers to address the risks associated with the disruptions ahead and capitalize on the opportunities they may bring.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Sodexo Selected to Provide Elevated Dining Experience for Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum

Nov 5, 2018 2:35 PM ET

Sodexo, a food services and facilities management company committed to improving Quality of Life, today announced it will begin service at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, effective January 2019. The newly forged partnership will ensure best-in-class restaurant and catering offerings for years to come. The catering operation specifically will be enhanced by James Beard Foundation’s award-winning talents, Chef Suzanne Goin and Restaurateur Caroline Styne, owners and operators of The Lucques Group family of acclaimed hospitality businesses.

Energy

LG ENERGY STAR Washers and Dryers Rated #1 in Performance and Reliability Again and Again

Nov 5, 2018 2:35 PM ET

All LG washers and dryers are ENERGY STAR certified, meaning they deliver energy efficiency without sacrificing performance or style. LG also has the most washing machines in the industry designated as “ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2018.”

Events, Media & Communications

This Election Day, Leverage Your Influence on Climate

Nov 5, 2018 2:10 PM ET

I remember the exhilaration I felt as my mom and dad drew the curtain to fill out their ballot, and I know I’ll experience a similar sensation tomorrow when I cast a vote for what I believe in: A cleaner, better future.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

American Chemical Society Presents Merck with Green Chemistry Challenge Award

Nov 5, 2018 2:10 PM ET

We're proud to be named a winner of the American Chemical Society's Green Chemistry Challenge Award.

Research, Reports & Publications

Companies Leading in Disability Inclusion Have Outperformed Peers, Accenture Research Finds

Nov 5, 2018 2:05 PM ET

Companies that embrace best practices for employing and supporting more persons with disabilities in their workforces have outperformed their peers, according to a new research report from Accenture (NYSE: ACN) in partnership with Disability:IN and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD).

Education

Edison Scholars Program Will Issue $1.2M in Scholarships for STEM Students

Nov 5, 2018 2:05 PM ET

High school seniors can now apply for the $40,000 Edison Scholars college scholarships. Edison International is awarding $1.2 million in scholarships to 30 high school seniors to help them follow their dreams in STEM (science, technology, engineering or math) and empower them to change the world. Deadline to apply is Dec. 14.

Environment

Smithfield Foods Video: A Landmark Investment to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions 25 Percent by 2025

Nov 5, 2018 12:05 PM ET

“When we set an objective, we go big at Smithfield Foods to achieve it. This announcement is the culmination of decades spent studying and perfecting the commercial viability of ‘manure-to-energy’ projects. Our investment in these projects underscores our longstanding commitment to sustainability, as well as our promise to produce good food in a responsible way,” said Kenneth M. Sullivan, president and chief executive officer of Smithfield Foods, Inc.

Education

Schneider, Eastlands College of Technology Launch Electric and Solar Lab

Nov 5, 2018 12:05 PM ET

“The lack of well-trained electricians and engineers in the electrical and energy fields is a major obstacle to the successful and sustainable development of a number of regions in emerging economies,” says Edouard Heripret, General Manager East Africa, Schneider Electric.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Kimberly-Clark’s Sustainability Programs Recognized for Leadership in Energy and Climate

Nov 5, 2018 11:30 AM ET

Kimberly-Clark Corporation has been recognized with two prominent awards for its efforts to improve energy efficiency and reduce its carbon footprint. The company received the 2018 Responsible Business Award for Climate Action from Ethical Corporation, and earned its sixth consecutive SmartWay® Excellence Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for leadership in freight supply chain environmental performance and energy efficiency.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Definitive Southern Nevada Plan to End Youth Homelessness Unveiled at 2nd Annual Youth Homelessness Summit

Nov 5, 2018 11:25 AM ET

Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth (NPHY) and Las Vegas Sands (NYSE: LVS) today led the community in debuting the region’s first-ever plan to end youth homelessness after a year-long community-driven effort to build a comprehensive safety net for the region, which ranks among the nation’s highest in incidence rates for youth homelessness.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Better Sustainability Reports With New Global Reporting Initiative Services

Nov 5, 2018 11:05 AM ET

Reporting on an organization’s management approach is now made easier, as GRI can provide reporters with tailored feedback to help them understand whether the information in their report responds to the requirements from the GRI 103: Management Approach standard.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

California Artificial Intelligence Company Tops Annual List of Adoption-Friendly Workplaces

Nov 5, 2018 10:20 AM ET

When it comes to helping employees who have decided to adopt a child, nobody beats NVIDIA.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Duke Energy Named Corporate Champion for Women and Children

Nov 5, 2018 10:10 AM ET

On Oct. 22, Duke Energy was recognized as a Corporate Champion for Women and Children by GFWC of North Carolina. The award recognizes corporations and businesses for their outstanding support of women and children’s issues in local communities throughout North Carolina.

Sustainable Development Goals

How the Proper Use of Fertilizer Can Help Global Progress Toward Zero Hunger

Nov 5, 2018 9:50 AM ET

To achieve the necessary increase in crop yields to work toward zero hunger, farmers may look to boost the health of the soil in growing areas with fertilizer.

Innovation & Technology

Private Sector Harnessing Power of Digital Innovation to Overcome Development Challenges and Improve Lives

Nov 5, 2018 9:40 AM ET

Big Data, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, and the Internet-of-Things are completely revolutionizing the way we work, learn and live. Advances in technology are saving lives, overcoming infrastructure challenges, and bringing goods and services to communities formerly cut off, whether through physical or economic isolation.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Symantec Expands Software Donation Partnership with TechSoup

Nov 5, 2018 9:35 AM ET

In our increasingly digital world, nonprofit employees and volunteers typically handle sensitive data on a daily basis, and data security is a top concern. With limited budgets, nonprofit and charitable organizations often lack the resources needed to invest in quality data protection. For the past 16 years, Symantec and TechSoup have worked together to provide nonprofits with affordable access to much-needed security software.

Product donation is our largest mechanism to support the nonprofit community and we offer both Norton and Symantec Enterprise products, including Norton Small Business and Symantec Endpoint Protection, to TechSoup free of charge.

Education

USC Shoah Foundation and Discovery Education Unlock the Power of Testimony-Based Learning to Inspire Students, Educators, and Communities Nationwide

Nov 5, 2018 9:30 AM ET

In an effort to spark a social movement against hatred in all forms, and to commemorate the 25th anniversary and re-release of Schindler’s List, USC Shoah Foundation and Discovery Education, the leading provider of digital content and professional development for K-12 classrooms, have partnered to create Teaching with Testimony – a new educational program that unlocks the powerful classroom potential of testimony. Drawing upon USC Shoah Foundation's vast library of audiovisual testimony from survivors and witnesses of genocide, Teaching with Testimony empowers students to find their voices and take action for a better future.

Social Impact & Volunteering

What Is Skills-Based Volunteering?

Nov 5, 2018 9:15 AM ET

Skills-based volunteering is one of those loosely defined areas of our practice that can sometimes confuse people. I have spoken to several practitioners about their definition of skills-based volunteering and the answers are all over the map. It made me think that if we’re going to advance this practice, we’d better agree on some basics.

Health & Healthcare

Helping Kids Cope with Cancer: Tough Questions Interviews Dan Amos, CEO of Aflac

Nov 5, 2018 9:05 AM ET

“I think I always thought I might be in the insurance business,” said Dan Amos, CEO of Aflac. “My family had been in it and it was just something I thought I might like.”

Working at Aflac since he was 14 years old, Amos and his company have been named a World’s Most Ethical Company by the Ethisphere Institute for 12 straight years. Dan, himself has been named by Harvard Business Review as one of the 100 Best Performing CEOs in the World for four consecutive years. So we sent Chloe, an 11-year-old pediatric cancer survivor, and a national ambassador for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals® to interview Amos for a new video series, Tough Questions.

Events, Media & Communications

All the Ways to Follow Us at the BSR Conference 2018

Nov 5, 2018 9:00 AM ET

Whether you’re joining us in New York or online, you can be part of the BSR Conference 2018 action. Here's how.