ESG News from Leading Brands

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Durkan’s Camélia Rose Raises Awareness, Funds to Fight Breast Cancer through Specify for a Cure Program

Oct 12, 2018 2:25 PM ET

For centuries, both the rose and the camélia flower have been a symbol of longevity and purity — with the rose especially symbolic of love and passion. In the Victorian Era, when pink and red camélias were sent to someone, it meant that the recipient was the “flame” in the heart of the sender. The inspiration for Durkan’s new Camélia Rose carpet collection is helping bring awareness to breast cancer while also raising funds for research, not just in October but year-round.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Wells Fargo Assists Customers and Communities Impacted by Hurricane Michael

Oct 12, 2018 2:00 PM ET

Wells Fargo (NYSE:WFC) today announced $1 million in donations to support communities impacted by Hurricane Michael. The company also activated special disaster assistance for customers in Florida, Georgia and Alabama.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

KeyBank Provides $6 Million in Financing for Preservation of Affordable Housing in Cleveland

Oct 12, 2018 1:50 PM ET

KeyBank Community Development Lending & Investment (CDLI) has provided $6 million in construction financing to Woda Cooper Communities for the acquisition and substantial rehabilitation of the Stuyvesant Motor building in Cleveland, OH. Upon completion, the historic five-story building will be renamed Prospect Yard and contain 42 units serving individuals and families earning at or below 60% area median income (AMI).

Research, Reports & Publications

Symantec CEO Greg Clark Highlights Progress in 2018 Corporate Responsibility Report

Oct 12, 2018 1:05 PM ET

We have dedicated the past two years to transforming our business. During that time, we have quickly built up our market-leading portfolio through internal innovation, as well as through the acquisition of several strategic cyber security companies.

Over the last twelve months, we also took a step back to validate Symantec’s corporate responsibility strategy and our approach to disclosure. We re-assessed key concerns of external stakeholders and met with a broad range of internal leaders to inform our thinking. Based on these conversations, we restructured our priorities and reconfirmed our support for the United Nations Global Compact’s 10 principles to protect human rights, uphold ethical labor conditions, protect the environment, and combat corruption.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Xylem Celebrates Long-Time Partner for its 1000th AquaTower Build—Marking 1 Million People Who Now Have Access to Clean Drinking Water

Oct 12, 2018 1:00 PM ET

One of Xylem’s long-standing nonprofit partners, Planet Water, celebrated the installation of its 1,000th “AquaTower” on October 3rd, achieving one million people across fourteen countries who now have access to clean, safe drinking water. The 1000th Tower jumpstarts a new organization initiative to bring clean water to an entire District in Cambodia. Xylem is proud to have worked alongside Planet Water for years, setting up AquaTowers that last from 5-7 years in communities that currently lack safe drinking water. Xylem also provides WASH education to the community’s residents. Thank you, Planet Water, for making this impact possible. Together, we celebrate this accomplishment, and look forward to continuing to work together to solve water globally.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Walmart, Walmart Foundation, Sam’s Club and Foundation For The Carolinas Announce $2.5 million to Assist with Hurricane Michael Relief and Recovery

Oct 12, 2018 12:45 PM ET

In response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Michael, Walmart, Sam’s Club, and the Walmart Foundation are committing up to $1.5 million of cash and in-kind support for relief and recovery. In addition, $1 million from the Walmart 2018 Hurricane Relief Fund held at Foundation For The Carolinas will support Red Cross efforts for those most impacted in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas.

Health & Healthcare

Johnson & Johnson Raises a Flag in Early-Stage Lung Cancer with First-Ever Contest in the Field

Oct 12, 2018 12:10 PM ET

No question about it, the lung cancer field is hot—and chock-full of new drugs and combos. But there's a dearth of treatments specifically for early-stage disease, and Johnson & Johnson is looking to crowdsourcing to bring in new ideas.

It's doing that through its latest QuickFire contest at JLABS, the company's internal life sciences incubator. The winner of the Lung Cancer Innovation QuickFire Challenge will earn a yearlong residency at JLABS @ Shanghai, the newest of its 11 labs around the world.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

FCA US Among the Leaders in Providing Quality Experience for Job Candidates

Oct 12, 2018 11:45 AM ET

FCA US LLC is among the top companies in North America that provide a positive, transparent and insightful job candidate experience, earning the Company a 2018 North American Candidate Experience Award.

The Candidate Experience Awards are conveyed each year by Talent Board, a non-profit organization that focuses on benchmark research of quality candidate experience.

Diversity & Inclusion

VIDEO | It’s International Day of the Girl: Let’s Celebrate Progress (and Make Some More)

Oct 12, 2018 11:35 AM ET

When I think about International Day of the Girl, I remember how my college basketball coach asked me to speak in front of a group of Fortune 500 executives. I had never spoken to top execs before, let alone a room full of them! I had my self-doubts, but ultimately, I chose to be bold.

Energy

Five Sustainable Strategies Every CEO Should Pursue

Oct 12, 2018 11:10 AM ET

Sustainability is one of the highest priorities on today's CEO agenda. Climate change is dramatically impacting the planet and creating new business risks. So how are companies responding to mitigating environmental damage and ensuring long-term resiliency through increased use of digitization?

With lessons from AEG, Entrade, Walmart and WWF, leaders should consider five key strategies.

Diversity & Inclusion

The Real Me

Oct 12, 2018 11:05 AM ET

In honor of #NationalComingOutDay, CBRE is proud to share the stories of several of our employees who’ve had the courage to come out in the workplace in an inspiring new video.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

eBay for Charity and Council of Fashion Designers of America Partner to Fight Breast Cancer with 2018 ‘Fashion Targets Breast Cancer’ Campaign

Oct 12, 2018 11:05 AM ET

eBay for Charity and the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) are teaming up to fight breast cancer this October to support Fashion Targets Breast Cancer (FTBC), a charitable initiative of the CFDA Foundation that raises funds and awareness for breast cancer in the U.S. and internationally. Starting today through October 18 (8am PT) eBay shoppers and fashion-lovers alike can visit www.eBay.com/CFDA to browse exclusive and special-priced items, of which 100% of the proceeds will benefit Fashion Targets Breast Cancer.

Health & Healthcare

Pioneering Emergency Medicine in Tanzania

Oct 12, 2018 11:00 AM ET

Just a decade ago, emergency medicine did not exist in Tanzania. Patients waited hours for the most basic life-saving care. Today, East Africa’s first-ever emergency room and emergency medicine residency training program save thousands of lives, every year.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Join the GRI Global Sustainability Standards Board: Help Shape the Future of Sustainability Reporting

Oct 12, 2018 10:05 AM ET

The world's leading standard-setter for sustainability reporting has an exceptional opening for a high-level governance position. Read more about applying for the GRI Global Sustainability Standards Board to help empower decisions that create social, environmental and economic benefits for everyone.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

South Oakland Shelter Recognizes Epsilon with 2018 Annual Impact Award for Outstanding Corporate Partner

Oct 12, 2018 9:50 AM ET

South Oakland Shelter (SOS) has been helping end homelessness in Michigan’s Oakland Country for individuals and families in crisis for over 30 years.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Educating a Generation of Syrian Children

Oct 12, 2018 9:45 AM ET

Every day begins the same for Marah, a 12-year-old girl living in Beirut. “At 8 o'clock, I have my breakfast. I spend some time with my family, while they are having their coffee. Then I prepare myself for school and I prepare my bag,” she says.

It’s a daily schedule typical by school children the world over, and yet to Marah it feels more like a privilege.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

VIDEO | Subaru Loves Pets

Oct 12, 2018 9:35 AM ET

As part of our Subaru Loves Pets initiative, this October, Subaru and our retailers are partnering with local animal organizations to help our furry friends and improve their chances at finding a safe and loving home.

Sustainable Development Goals

General Mills Works to Decouple Emissions from Business Growth

Oct 12, 2018 9:25 AM ET

Global food company General Mills cut greenhouse gas emissions by 11 percent across its entire value chain from 2010 to 2017 while net sales rose 6 percent.

Environment

EDF+Business Webinar: Quantifying Scope 3 Emissions & Engaging Suppliers in Energy Reduction, October 18th at 1pm EDT

Oct 12, 2018 8:05 AM ET

Establishing an accurate baseline and quantifying scope 3 emissions is a critical step in meeting both supply chain energy reduction goals and partner goals. But it can be challenging to translate that internal goal into supplier action.

Theresa Eberhardt of EDF+Business will discuss how to transition from the goal-setting phase to the implementation phase, guiding you through various tools and resources available. An EDF Climate Corps host will also be on hand to talk about their recent project this past summer on how they've approached quantifying their scope 3 emissions and where they are now.

Attend this webinar if you’re interested in: scope 3 emissions, engaging suppliers, energy reduction strategies

Health & Healthcare

Peñasquito Inaugurates the Most Modern Rural Medical Unit in Mexico

Oct 12, 2018 7:15 AM ET

With the donation of one hectare of communal land by the community, Goldcorp’s Peñasquito mine recently constructed and opened the Rural Medical Centre, which will benefit more than 2,300 members of the community of Cedros and Mazapil, in the state of Zacatecas, one of the largest municipalities in Mexico.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Best. Year. Ever: Albertsons Companies Customers Set New Record in 5th Annual Hunger Is Campaign

Oct 11, 2018 6:45 PM ET

Albertsons Companies and Albertsons Companies Foundation announced today that, through the generous donations of customers, the Hunger Is fundraiser to fight childhood hunger in America raised a record $7.2 million in just 30 days.

Environment

Meat Industry Grilled by Investors to Address Water and Climate Risks

Oct 11, 2018 5:00 PM ET

As the water pollution-climate change connections accelerate, some in the investment community have begun asking “Big Meat” to identify how these impacts translate into bottom line regulatory, reputational and market risks.

Diversity & Inclusion

12 Tales of Empowerment to Celebrate International Day of the Girl

Oct 11, 2018 4:30 PM ET

Responsible Production & Consumption

Video: Fair Trade USA Celebrates 20 Years of Impact

Oct 11, 2018 4:20 PM ET

Twenty years ago, Fair Trade USA’s Founder and CEO Paul Rice brought an idea from his field work in Nicaragua to a one-room office in Oakland, California. What started with coffee and conviction – and not much else – is now the leading market-based model of sustainable production, trade and consumption.

Energy

UPS/Greenbiz Study Identifies Motivators and Barriers to Electric Fleets

Oct 11, 2018 4:15 PM ET

Attaining environmental benefits and lower cost of ownership are driving more commercial fleets to electrify, according to a UPS (NYSE: UPS) and GreenBiz study released today. In the “Curve Ahead: The Future of Fleet Electrification” report, industry leaders identify the main motivations and barriers to electrification, as well as strategies to move the commercial electric vehicle market from niche to mainstream.