ESG News from Leading Brands

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Why Fairfax County Needs a Food Bank

Nov 21, 2017 1:00 PM ET

People ask us all the time why Fairfax County needs a food bank. Just do the math. In 2015, Fairfax County had a median family income of $129,538 a year. The average housing rental cost was $1687 a month. The poverty level for a family of four is now $24,600 a year. And, of course, the national minimum wage is still $7.25 an hour.

Environment

Ecocentricity Blog: a Thank You Letter

Nov 21, 2017 12:15 PM ET

I know, I know. I haven’t written to you in a while. And I’m so sorry I’m writing to you this week, when everyone is saying “thanks.” I shouldn’t need Thanksgiving to remind me to be grateful to you, someone who has given and taught me so much! I hope you’ll forgive me, and that these words will still earn a smile or two.

Innovation & Technology

A Rising Tide To Raise All Boats: How Tech Can Benefit Everyone on the Planet

Nov 21, 2017 12:15 PM ET

Recently, I had the pleasure of participating in a debate at Web Summit on an increasingly important topic: “Future of Tech: Will Everyone Benefit?” It’s a question we should all contemplate and analyze. As tech breaks out and reshapes so many aspects of humanity, will all of this stunning innovation create a rising tide that lifts all boats, regardless of geography, background, or culture? Or will the advantages of tech innovation be limited to only the fortunate few?

Energy

New Electric Utility Pricing Tool From Black & Veatch Offers Significant Advancement in Distributed Generation Analytics

Nov 21, 2017 12:00 PM ET

Black & Veatch, a market leader in the analysis and design of distributed generation systems, today announced a patent-pending analytics tool that accurately evaluates the utility ratemaking impacts of adding distributed power generation to the grid.

Education

Arrow Electronics Supports Innovative Sewable Tech Course

Nov 21, 2017 11:45 AM ET

Research, Reports & Publications

CreateNYC: A Look at How NYC’s Cultural Roadmap Makes a Case for the Social Value of the Arts

Nov 21, 2017 11:40 AM ET

In July, the City of New York released CreateNYC: A Cultural Plan for All New Yorkers, a first-of-its-kind comprehensive plan to establish New York City’s cultural roadmap for the next decade. The plan sets forth objectives and strategies for achieving a more inclusive, equitable, and resilient cultural ecosystem. It examines a number of issue areas including diversity, equity and inclusion, education, affordability, and health of the cultural sector that are essential to a vibrant, creative city.

Diversity & Inclusion

Diversity and Teamwork Drive Innovation

Nov 21, 2017 11:25 AM ET

Back in August this year I attended the opening of our Innovation and Knowledge Center in Pune, India - an expansion of our facilities to celebrate our 20 year anniversary in the country. The center is one of 7 global Innovation and Knowledge centers, each of which represent the specific needs of their region as well as having unique perspectives and specialist material science expertise.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Sappi North America Awarded Johnson & Johnson Rising Star Award for Sustainability

Nov 21, 2017 11:20 AM ET

Sappi North America was a proud recipient of the Johnson & Johnson 2015 Rising Star Sustainability Award. The award comes after Sappi helped the company create and implement Johnson & Johnson’s US Commercial Paper Program.

Education

CITGO Lemont Refinery Brings Bess the Book Bus to Lemont School

Nov 21, 2017 11:20 AM ET

The CITGO Lemont Refinery and mobile literacy outreach program, Bess the Book Bus, brought the joy of reading to local students at St. Cyril and Methodius School in Lemont during the month of October. Approximately 105 books were distributed to St. Cyril and Methodius School students. Students were able to pick out their very own book to take home and then enjoyed participating in an interactive and hands-on drum circle hosted by Bess the Book Bus Partner, Giving Tree Music.

Environment

Michael Bloomberg on a Near-Presidential Run, a Call to Trump and His "War on Coal" Movie

Nov 21, 2017 11:15 AM ET

After building a sprawling financial-services and media empire, Bloomberg LP, which employs 19,000 people and brings in annual revenue of about $9 billion, Bloomberg, who has two daughters, Georgina and Emma, from a previous marriage, has pledged to give away most of his personal fortune, estimated at $47.8 billion. Founded in 2006, Bloomberg Philanthropies boasts assets of $10 billion (the mogul himself so far has contributed $5 billion) and employs 120 people. As part of its environmental efforts, the foundation has donated more than $100 million to move America away from coal.

Energy

Cool Effect Carbon Projects Capture the Imagination, While Improving Lives

Nov 21, 2017 11:00 AM ET

If you were to pick your favorite way to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, what would it be?

Sustainable Development Goals

WBCSD's Panorama Podcast | The Legacy of Paris and Business at COP23

Nov 21, 2017 10:45 AM ET

Diversity & Inclusion

Cultivate Confidence: Joyce Roche, Girls, Inc.

Nov 21, 2017 10:00 AM ET

At our recent #CultivateConfidence panel Joyce Roché, former President and CEO of Girls Inc. agreed that men's support is vital to helping women rise up in the workplace. Joyce is also the co-author of “The Empress Has No Clothes: Conquering Self-Doubt to Embrace Success.”

Energy

Sourcing Our Fuels Responsibly: From Coffee to Electricity

Nov 21, 2017 9:30 AM ET

Most people aren’t thinking about the journey that coffee makes from a farm half a world away to the cup in their hand, but as a sustainability professional, I just can’t help myself. You can call it a blessing—or a curse.

Environment

Infographic: Smithfield Foods Animal Care

Nov 21, 2017 9:25 AM ET

We began our industry-leading journey in 2007 and expect to complete it by the end of 2017. In addition to the efforts at company-owned farms, we recommend that all of our U.S. contract sow growers complete a transition to group housing by the end of 2022.

Research, Reports & Publications

Nearly 3.5 Million More People Improve Their Housing Conditions with Habitat for Humanity

Nov 21, 2017 9:15 AM ET

In the past year, thanks to generous donors and more than 2.1 million volunteers, Habitat for Humanity helped nearly 3.5 million people around the world build or improve an affordable place they can call home. With a “hand up” from Habitat, more families have acquired the skills, confidence and opportunity they need to build healthier, more financially stable lives.

Innovation & Technology

Meeting the Needs of Teens with My.Future

Nov 21, 2017 9:00 AM ET

In today’s digital world, new technologies and social sharing platforms are abound. Studies show that more than 90% of youth, especially teens, engage in some sort of social media activity daily. Now, Boys & Girls Clubs join this virtual space with a dynamic digital experience that’s more powerful than that of any other youth-based organization in the country.

With a goal of meeting youth where they are engaging in the digital world, this month Boys & Girls Clubs of America, in partnership with Comcast NBCUniversal, will unveil the latest evolution of My.Future in Clubs across America. My.Future is a safe, fun, and interactive digital platform that enables kids to create online accounts they can use to learn, play and socialize.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

The Impact a Wish Has on Children With Life-Threatening Medical Conditions

Nov 21, 2017 9:00 AM ET

While you may be familiar with the work of Make-A-Wish® Mid-Atlantic, you may not know the impact a wish experience can have on not only local wish kids, but also their families, medical teams, volunteers and even local community supporters. Serving children who reside in Maryland, the District of Columbia and northern Virginia since 1983, Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic has granted the wishes of more than 9,500 children fighting illnesses such as cancer, pediatric AIDS, cystic fibrosis, Duchene’s muscular dystrophy and heart disease.

Education

Thousands of High School Students Support Small Businesses with New Technology Solutions

Nov 21, 2017 9:00 AM ET

This school year, underrepresented high school students in eight cities nationwide are learning principles of design thinking, and how to apply them to emerging technology and mobile devices to serve as creative solutions for local small businesses and non-profits.

Energy

€1.5M Savings Found by iomart Taking a Strategic Approach to Climate Change with Schneider Electric Services

Nov 21, 2017 8:50 AM ET

Experts have predicted the amount of energy used by data centers will triple in the next decade, and as a responsible cloud computing company, iomart has started its journey to sustainable growth through lower energy consumption across its data centers. The company turned to Schneider Electric to lower energy use, meet energy compliance standards, and manage volatile energy costs.

Education

Tata Consultancy Services and Discovery Education Provide Ann Richards Middle School with Groundbreaking Program to Prepare Students for 21st Century Careers

Nov 21, 2017 8:45 AM ET

Tata Consultancy Services, (TCS), a leading global IT services, consulting and business solutions organization, and Discovery Education, the leading provider of digital education content and professional development for K-12 classrooms, officially launched Ignite My Future in School in Dallas at Ann Richards Middle School in Texas’ 5th congressional district. As early adopters of this system, Dallas teachers will receive professional development, educational resources and year-round support to integrate computational thinking into core subjects such as math, sciences, arts and social studies. In turn, students will learn foundational skills for 21st century careers – across industries – through this transdisciplinary approach.

Diversity & Inclusion

Voya Gives New Meaning to the Term Continuous Improvement

Nov 21, 2017 8:35 AM ET

When Voya Financial spun off from ING Group in 2013, leadership seized the opportunity to build a new kind of company—one centered around a thoughtfully curated culture of integrity, performance, and inclusion.

Diversity & Inclusion

Northern Trust Supports Disabled Children in Bangalore

Nov 21, 2017 8:25 AM ET

Northern Trust funded and presented a Hydrotherapy Pool at the Association of People with Disability in Bangalore!

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Benevity Shares Why More Companies Are Joining the #GivingTuesday Movement

Nov 21, 2017 7:45 AM ET

New data points to an increase in companies participating in the #GivingTuesday movement. The growth represents a terrific opportunity for companies to put empathy, service and generosity at the top of the agenda. However, Benevity sees greater potential for the occasion as the world needs to embrace a culture of Goodness now more than ever.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Aramark Once Again Named a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality

Nov 21, 2017 7:40 AM ET

Aramark, a global leader in food, facilities management and uniforms, received a perfect score of 100 percent for the fourth consecutive year on the 2018 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), a national benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices related to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) workplace equality, administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. Aramark joins the ranks of 609 major U.S. businesses which also earned top marks this year.