ESG News from Leading Brands

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

UN Secretary‐General Taps UN Special Envoy Michael Bloomberg to Lead Climate Finance Leadership Initiative

Sep 26, 2018 5:00 PM ET

Today at the One Planet Summit in New York the UN Secretary-General tapped his Special Envoy for Climate Action Mike Bloomberg to lead a new Climate Finance Leadership Initiative to mobilize private finance in support of the Paris Agreement goals.

Events, Media & Communications

Erb Institute Managing Director, Terry Nelidov Is Panelist on Innovation Forum Webinar

Sep 26, 2018 5:00 PM ET

Innovation Forum is partnering with the Erb Institute in Detroit Oct. 2-3rd, to talk about the latest approaches to materiality, and how to establish a robust business case in 2018. Want to be a part of the conversation? Register here!

Diversity & Inclusion

MetLife Global Operations Support Center Selected as a 2018 Working Mother & AVTAR 100 Best Company for Women in India

Sep 26, 2018 4:05 PM ET

After having pioneered Diversity and Inclusion Consulting in India and having successfully assisted discerning organizations in making their workplaces more welcoming for women for over a decade now, AVTAR group brought yet another first to India in 2016 – the Working Mother and AVTAR Best Companies for Women in India (BCWI) study. The study with its stellar 32-year legacy in the US, has had two very successful runs in India in 2016 & 2017, moving on to become the most comprehensive gender analytics exercise for Corporate India.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Subaru and Greensgrow Farms Partner to Celebrate the Season at the Subaru Fall Festival

Sep 26, 2018 4:00 PM ET

Subaru of America, Inc. and Greensgrow Farms, Philadelphia’s famous urban farm and community garden center, will welcome neighbors and visitors to celebrate the fall season at the Subaru Fall Festival at Greensgrow Farms on Saturday, October 6, 2018.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Harvard Management Company on the Challenges and Opportunities for Reducing Methane Emissions

Sep 26, 2018 3:55 PM ET

Harvard Management Company manages the university’s $37 billion endowment and believes ESG risks can have indirect and direct impacts on a company’s performance.

Events, Media & Communications

Brands Taking Stands™ | Principles and Politics Collide Over Tariffs

Sep 26, 2018 3:45 PM ET

The collision of principle and policy in current affairs has just ratcheted up several notches in intensity. The reason? The latest round of tariffs on Chinese goods imported into the U.S. that takes direct aim at profits at a number of the largest multinationals. After losing the lobbying battle to stave off this latest round, these companies are going public with their protests, hoping to encourage a rollback by taking a collective stand against a policy that hits their bottom line.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

KeyBank and Fannie Mae Partner on Inaugural Healthy Housing Rewards Enhanced Resident Services™ Rehabilitation

Sep 26, 2018 3:35 PM ET

KeyBank Real Estate Capital (KBREC) and KeyBank Community Development Lending & Investment (CDLI) have provided a first-of-its-kind Fannie Mae Healthy Housing Rewards Enhanced Resident Services loan to Omni New York LLC for the acquisition and rehabilitation of two affordable housing properties in Newark, NJ.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

CVS Health Announces Commitment to Build Healthier Communities in Ohio

Sep 26, 2018 3:00 PM ET

CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) today announced a series of community investments to improve the health and wellness of local communities in Ohio. More than $150,000 in new grants will help support Ohio nonprofits helping to mitigate prescription drug abuse and expand access to quality, convenient and affordable care across the state.

Events, Media & Communications

Consumers Energy Plugs in to Clean Energy Future,Turning to Electric Vehicles for Company Employees

Sep 26, 2018 3:00 PM ET

Consumers Energy yesterday announced plans to provide more electric vehicles for its employees -- a major step toward a clean energy future for Michigan.

Consumers Energy President and CEO Patti Poppe said yesterday morning that the company is now buying or leasing electric vehicles instead of purchasing new sedans that rely on gasoline. Poppe and an official from General Motors also announced the start of a pilot program to test smart charging for electric vehicle owners.

Environment

Celebrating Ten Years of Sea Change Radio, Pt. 1

Sep 26, 2018 2:45 PM ET

It’s been ten years since Bill Baue and Francesca Rheannon launched Sea Change Radio in Western Massachusetts. To celebrate this past decade of broadcasts, we’re looking back at some of the best moments and interviews.

Environment

New California Dam Built With Black & Veatch’s Management Help Reaches Key Milestone

Sep 26, 2018 2:40 PM ET

Seventeen years after being deemed seismically vulnerable and having its capacity restricted, a San Francisco-area dam and reservoir near an active fault line soon will be at full volume, thanks to a new dam that ensures a reliable water supply to millions of residents.

Research, Reports & Publications

Pentair Releases 2017 Corporate Responsibility Report

Sep 26, 2018 2:30 PM ET

Pentair announced the release of its 2017 Corporate Responsibility (CR) Report, highlighting corporate and community citizenship efforts including its continued commitment to sustainable products and solutions, operational excellence, employee engagement, community involvement and philanthropic giving, and governance.

Energy

National Grid Enhances Electric Vehicle Leadership

Sep 26, 2018 2:10 PM ET

National Grid has set a new goal for electric vehicle (EV) public charging infrastructure as a meaningful step toward reducing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions in the transportation sector. Additionally, Dean Seavers, President of National Grid, US, as co-chair of the Alliance to Save Energy’s 50x50 Commission on U.S. Transportation Sector Efficiency, led a diverse coalition of prominent auto, utility, labor, and environment leaders in unveiling a report charting a path to cut transportation energy use in half by 2050.

Education

Discovery Education and Arconic Foundation Celebrate National Manufacturing Day with ‘Manufacture Your Future Virtual Field Trip’ at Arconic in Austin, Texas

Sep 26, 2018 1:15 PM ET

In celebration of National Manufacturing Day, Arconic Foundation, the independently endowed philanthropic arm of Arconic, Inc., and Discovery Education, the leading provider of digital content and professional development for K-12 classrooms, are hosting a Manufacture Your Future Virtual Field Trip from Arconic in Austin, Texas on Friday, October 5, 2018.

Events, Media & Communications

Pro Bono Perspectives Podcast: Episode 3 - Emily McCann, Citizen Schools

Sep 26, 2018 1:15 PM ET

We are thrilled to welcome Emily McCann, CEO of Citizen Schools to Pro Bono Perspectives. For those of you in the nonprofit sector, you likely know Citizen Schools, a national education nonprofit that works primarily in low-income communities that need additional support and resources.

Sustainable Development Goals

Business Leaders Join Heads of State and UN Secretary-General to Discuss Peace, Human Rights and Advancing the 2030 Agenda

Sep 26, 2018 1:05 PM ET

More than 120 Chief Executives from some of the world’s leading businesses joined Heads of State and Government and leaders from both the United Nations and civil society today to explore innovative solutions to some of the most pressing challenges of our time as part of the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit 2018 during the 73rd regular session of the UN General Assembly.

Environment

BIER Member Spotlight: Julio Torruella

Sep 26, 2018 1:00 PM ET

Twice a month the Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER) highlights their members' beverage industry sustainability insights and ideas in their BIER Member Spotlight series. These spotlights include their answers to questions about their company's sustainability achievements and strategy, practical insights from BIER, interesting facts, and more.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Wells Fargo Donates $500,000 for Atlanta Housing, Neighborhood Revitalization Efforts

Sep 26, 2018 12:30 PM ET

Wells Fargo announces $500,000 in donations to six local nonprofits to support affordable, safe housing and community programs for Atlanta residents

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Benevity Releases Annual Trend Data on Top Causes Supported by Companies and Their People

Sep 26, 2018 12:15 PM ET

Benevity announces its annual trend data on the “Top Ten Causes” that have been supported by companies and their people this year to date, as well as the shifts in top donation recipients between 2015 and 2018.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Smithfield Foods Employees Rally Together to Support Feeding America® During Hunger Action Month™

Sep 26, 2018 12:15 PM ET

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

A Decade of Caring: FCA Us Recognized for Improving the Health and Overall Well-being of Employees and Families for 10th Consecutive Year

Sep 26, 2018 12:15 PM ET

FCA US LLC was once again recognized by the National Business Group on Health (NBGH), earning a gold medal for its comprehensive programs that enable a healthy workplace and encourage healthy lifestyles for both employees and families.

It was the 10th consecutive year the Company achieved this important benchmark and the eighth consecutive year FCA US was the only automaker to earn a medal.

The NBGH’s Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles Award recognizes employers that have embraced a culture of health and wellness and are working collaboratively to improve the health and quality of life of employees and their families.

Events, Media & Communications

CR Magazine Announces Finalists for 2018 Responsible CEO of Year Award and Lifetime Achievement Award

Sep 26, 2018 12:05 PM ET

Corporate Responsibility Magazine has announced the finalists for its annual excellence in leadership awards. The awards are given to corporate leaders committed to a progressive environmental, social, and governance (ESG) agenda, and to those who are taking bold steps to move the needle on the urgent conversations of the day.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Tyson Foods and Feeding America® Announce Results of $1M Protein Innovation Fund Distribution

Sep 26, 2018 12:00 PM ET

Tyson Foods and Feeding America® today announced the results of a two-year project focused on empowering local food banks to develop innovative animal protein sourcing programs to address hunger on the community level.

The Tyson Foods Protein Innovation Fund provided $1 million to 10 Feeding America food banks in nine states to fund protein sourcing projects that have the potential to be scaled and replicated across the Feeding America network.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Merck Makes Top 20 on Working Mother’s 200 Best Companies List

Sep 26, 2018 12:00 PM ET

Merck has been recognized by Working Mother magazine for its commitment to cultivating a family-friendly workplace.

Health & Healthcare

For Over 23 Years, Aflac Has Spread Awareness and Hope for Children Diagnosed with Cancer

Sep 26, 2018 11:55 AM ET

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. For more than 23 years, Aflac has led the charge to bring more attention and funding to childhood cancer and how it impacts the lives of thousands of children in our communities each year.