ESG News from Leading Brands

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Urgent Needs for 2018

Dec 27, 2017 7:15 AM ET

Aligning the capital markets more directly with the urgent needs we face as a society to halt environmental destruction and reverse decades of worsening inequality must be our priority for 2018. Alignment needs to occur at every level, across the global markets. Despite the tremendous efforts behind the Paris Climate Accord, formalization of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and a long history of other efforts to change the course of climate change and inequality, we are not making nearly the progress needed. The 1,700 signatories to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment, which represent $70 trillion of assets and a wave of press about environmental, social and governance-oriented investing, have not gotten us on track.

Education

Amgen Scholars Alumni David Isaac Berrios Shares the Larger Significance of His Research

Dec 27, 2017 7:00 AM ET

"Moving forward, I am confident that obtaining a graduate education will empower me to improve the quality of life for others. My ultimate career goal is to become a scientist who inspires others to achieve their goals."

Media & Communications

Restoring Net Neutrality

Dec 26, 2017 12:05 PM ET

Who owns the internet? The answer in the USA is “We all do”! The internet research and invention was paid for by US taxpayers and then turned over to the private sector, becoming the basic platform today for our entire economy and society!

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Your Gift Gives Teens in Foster Care the Chance to Succeed

Dec 26, 2017 10:00 AM ET

The first thing Jamie Honerlaw, a Wendy’s Wonderful Kids recruiter, noticed about De’Andre was his outgoing personality. She knew what kind of family De’Andre wanted — one with a mom and a dad and little siblings – and was determined to find it for him. He’d been in foster care for nearly four years when Jamie introduced him to the Fargasons. She knew their family was the perfect fit for De’Andre.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Flocking for 400 Turkeys

Dec 22, 2017 4:50 PM ET

Whirlpool Corporation, along with the PGA of America and the city of Benton Harbor, sponsored the third annual Holiday Food Sharing Program in Benton Harbor, Mich. to distribute food boxes and more than 400 turkeys to families in need.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Spreading Christmas Cheer

Dec 22, 2017 4:15 PM ET

Whirlpool Corporation employees in Benton Harbor, MI adopted five families as a way to give back during the holiday season.

Events, Media & Communications

CITGO Honors Local Partners at Annual Appreciation Breakfast

Dec 22, 2017 3:40 PM ET

The CITGO Corpus Christi Refinery recently hosted its Annual Partner Appreciation Breakfast to recognize local organizations making a positive difference in the Coastal Bend region. The annual breakfast event, held at the Art Museum of South Texas, hosted guests from local industry; businesses; educational institutions, including Foy H. Moody High School, home of the CITGO Innovation Academy; and non-profit organizations, such as the United Way of the Coastal Bend and the Coastal Bend Food Bank.

Innovation & Technology

Arrow Electronics Helps Guide Millennial Innovators in China Forward

Dec 22, 2017 12:15 PM ET

Global technology-solutions provider Arrow Electronics is collaborating with several top universities in China, including Beijing Jiaotong University, Shanghai University and Shenzhen University to organize its annual “Innovation Club” competition in China. The initiative aims to promote an innovative and stimulating environment for university students, challenging them to turn their creative ideas into innovative products that positively impact life.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Keep America Beautiful Recycling Tips for the Holiday!

Dec 22, 2017 11:00 AM ET

The holidays are filled with family gatherings, parties with friends, wrapping gifts and decorating, all of which can substantially increase the amount of waste we generate. But it doesn't have to be that way!

Environment

Schneider Electric Is Committed to Using 100% Renewable Electricity Across Its Global Operations by 2030

Dec 22, 2017 10:35 AM ET

“Our 144,000 employees come to work every day with a passion for green growth. Some of them work to design innovative low-carbon technologies, energy efficient architectures, or circular business models. Others meet customers each day, support their resource productivity ambitions, and enable their journey towards zero emissions. Given this, we could not do less than align with this passion in the way we power our own sites and operations.

Health & Healthcare

Top 5 Takeaways from the Water #WELLography

Dec 22, 2017 9:25 AM ET

The Institute of Medicine recommends adults consume 2.7 to 3.7 L of water (through a combination of beverages and food) to offset the amount of water that leaves the body through respiration, perspiration, and excretion, thereby preventing dehydration and its adverse health effects. However, it has been estimated that almost 30% of American adults are inadequately hydrated.

Sustainable Development Goals

Building Resilience in the Philippines Through Microinsurance

Dec 22, 2017 9:05 AM ET

Microensurer Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Solutions (CLIS) has joined Business Call to Action (BCtA) with a commitment to increase the number of Filipinos covered by microinsurance from 6 million in 2016 to 8 million in 2020, expanding insurance coverage to 60 percent of the country’s population.

Events, Media & Communications

Infographic: 20 Years of Defining the Sustainability Reporting Landscape

Dec 22, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Two decades after pioneering the sustainability reporting process in 1997, GRI is now the world's established pre-eminent sustainability standard setter. Through 20 years of work that has defined the reporting landscape, we have evolved our reporting framework in line with the collective understanding of sustainability, to incorporate new topics and best practices as they emerge.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Living on One Dollar A Day

Dec 22, 2017 8:35 AM ET

What gift would you give for the holidays that costs $56? Chris Temple and Zach Ingrasci lived on $56 for 56 days in Guatemala and filmed Living on One Dollar, a documentary that has raised over $300,000 for Whole Planet Foundation, funding 1,600 microloans for Guatemalans living in poverty.

Environment

Does Modern Agriculture Hold the Solution to Hunger, Poverty and Climate Change?

Dec 22, 2017 8:15 AM ET

Farming is part of who I am. I am passionate about advancing and advocating for modern agriculture. From my early days spent on our family farm in rural Tennessee and throughout a career devoted entirely to agriculture, the farm has played a major role in shaping how I view the world.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

VIDEO | How Dogs Share the Love

Dec 22, 2017 8:00 AM ET

When these three women rescued their dogs, they had no idea how much their lives would change. Dogs can change how we see the world. They have the power to make us happy, and they teach us to be grateful. Meet Amanda, Vanessa, and Sahar, just three of the many to take part in this year’s Subaru #ShareTheLove campaign.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Medtronic Is Back to Full Production in Puerto Rico

Dec 22, 2017 12:00 AM ET

Every production line, for every product at every Medtronic facility in Puerto Rico is now operating at pre-hurricane levels. Medtronic provided free meals to its 5,000 employees in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria and paid their wages even while production was offline. The company also brought in more than one million bottles of water, as well as thousands of boxes of food. And it provided 40,000 gallons of free gasoline, on-site laundromats and day care for employees, along with a variety of other services such as banking and help with FEMA applications.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Take the Social Value Canada Survey

Dec 21, 2017 6:15 PM ET

In late 2016, the SROI Canada network and the Social Impact Analysts Association merged to become Social Value Canada (SVC). SVC is positioning itself to be the national hub for Canadians to connect, learn and exchange ideas about social impact, social value creation and measurement methodologies. SVC is part of an international network of over 45 countries advancing social value measurement as a member of Social Value International.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Albertsons Companies Helps Food Banks Fight Winter Hunger During Holidays and Beyond

Dec 21, 2017 4:30 PM ET

Albertsons Companies this week caps off a successful season of holiday giving campaigns that will help food banks provide emergency food assistance throughout the lean winter months. Fueled by customer generosity, store teams gave more than 20,000 turkeys and hams for holiday din

Social Impact & Volunteering

Major Leaguer Keone Kela Connects With Youth From Around the World

Dec 21, 2017 4:30 PM ET

Major League Baseball pitcher Keone Kela doesn't do anything half-hearted.

So it came as no surprise that the hard-throwing Texas Rangers reliever made it his off-season mission to genuinely connect with young people both in the United States and China.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

SCC Honors Republic Services

Dec 21, 2017 4:30 PM ET

Health & Healthcare

Woodland Pond at New Paltz Selects Connected Living, a Sodexo Partner, as the Exclusive Connection Provider for Families, Friends and the Community

Dec 21, 2017 3:55 PM ET

Connected Living, a Sodexo Partner, as the Exclusive Connection Provider for Families, Friends and the Community
Woodland Pond and Connected Living join forces to bring a new communication platform in New Paltz, connecting seniors, employees and families.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

LBG Canada Data Stories: The Use of the LBG Model Internationally

Dec 21, 2017 3:45 PM ET

The LBG Model is used internationally. Canadian companies are using the LBG model to guide community investment in 39 countries around the world. While outside of Canada, the LBG Model is used by companies operating in 171 countries.

Environment

Four Mutual Fund Giants Begin to Address Climate Change Risks in Proxy Votes: How About Your Funds?

Dec 21, 2017 3:35 PM ET

Nearly all climate scientists and every government on earth (except for one) agree that society faces profound risks from human-induced climate change. Does your mutual fund company, investment manager, or 401(k) manager agree that the risks are serious and extend to companies in their portfolios?

For an overview of risks to businesses from climate change and what they should disclose, see reports and recommendations of the Financial Stability Board’s Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosure (TCFD), Chaired by Michael Bloomberg, former Mayor of New York City. Examples of these risks already translating into impacts include the record-breaking string of Atlantic hurricanes and wildfires in North America.

Environment

10 Sustainability Stories From GM in 2017

Dec 21, 2017 3:30 PM ET

For General Motors, 2017 was a year of both long-term aspirations and short-term progress. The company declared its vision of zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion. Transformative mobility developments took place in areas such as connectivity, car- and ridesharing, and electric and autonomous vehicles – keys, it believes, to unlocking a more sustainable future.