ESG News from Leading Brands

Research, Reports & Publications

Westpac Group 2017 Sustainability Performance Report Shows Strong Progress Against Strategy

Nov 14, 2017 8:00 PM ET

This year Westpac Group marked an extraordinary milestone in Australia’s history – becoming the nation’s first company to celebrate its 200th year in business.

Environment

Iconic U.S. Companies to Participate in a Business Showcase of Climate Action at COP23

Nov 14, 2017 6:25 PM ET

Corporate leaders from iconic U.S. companies will explore their efforts to help decarbonize the American economy at the U.S. Business Showcase hosted in the U.S. Climate Action Center at COP23 in Bonn, Germany. 2017 has been a remarkable year for business climate action.

Environment

Sustainable Growth at Citi

Nov 14, 2017 5:00 PM ET

As part of our continued support of the Paris Agreement and our own efforts to protect the environment, we’re making notable progress on our commitment to finance $100 billion in clean energy, infrastructure and technology projects that are helping to build a more sustainable economy.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Sappi's Emergency Response Team is Volunteer-Based and Award Winning

Nov 14, 2017 5:00 PM ET

Fifty Sappi employees volunteer to staff the Somerset Emergency Response Team (ERT).

Education

Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area Educators Learn Computational Thinking to Prepare Students for 21st Century Careers

Nov 14, 2017 4:15 PM ET

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Discovery Education have announced the continuation of their Ignite My Future in School program in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. 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 be exposed to foundational skills for 21st century careers – across industries – through this transdisciplinary approach.

Green Infrastructure

Mohawk Sustainability VP Bandy Opens Greenbuild Plenary

Nov 14, 2017 4:05 PM ET

George Bandy, vice president of sustainability for Mohawk Industries, heralded in the Greenbuild Plenary last week as the special session’s opening speaker. Bandy brought energy and inspiration to the main stage of the Boston Convention & Exposition Center, as he offered words on the compelling and unifying nature of the green building movement and talked about Mohawk’s own strides in sustainability.

Media & Communications

Legg Mason Issues 2017 Corporate Social Responsibility Report

Nov 14, 2017 3:45 PM ET

2017 Legg Mason, Inc. (NYSE: LM) announced today it has published its annual Corporate Social Responsibility Report, for fiscal year 2017. This report reflects the combined effort and contribution of professionals within the firm and across our affiliate organizations.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Two Unintended Consequences of Your Supply Chain Assessment, and How to Avoid Them

Nov 14, 2017 3:35 PM ET

Regularly, you work to prepare a comprehensive supply chain assessment. Hours are spent building a robust questionnaire for your tier 1 suppliers. The goal is a 100% response rate, so that you have valuable intelligence to manage and improve your supply chain. Maybe the focus of your assessment is traceability and mapping, or perhaps calculating GHG emissions. You send the questions and it takes the suppliers about two hours to complete. Two hours of work isn’t too much to ask, right? Or is it?

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Michael R. Bloomberg Commits $50 Million to International Effort to Move Beyond Coal, Reinforcing Leadership on Global Climate Action

Nov 14, 2017 3:15 PM ET

Just after announcing a renewed commitment of $64 million to the Beyond Coal campaign in the United States and during this year’s UN Climate Conference COP 23 in Bonn, Germany, Michael R. Bloomberg, U.N. Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change, announced a $50 million commitment to partners worldwide to catalyze a global effort to move nations away from coal dependence. European Climate Foundation will be the leading partner in Europe.

Environment

Environmental Responsibility at MGM National Harbor

Nov 14, 2017 3:10 PM ET

MGM National Harbor was designed and built with sustainability in the forefront, making it a premier eco-luxury destination. Although Maryland did not require that we meet this standard, MNH achieved LEED (Leadership in Energy and Design) Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Diversity & Inclusion

Whirlpool Honors Veterans During Morning Ceremony

Nov 14, 2017 3:00 PM ET

Whirlpool Corporation honored its veterans with a flag-raising ceremony as part of Veterans Day celebrations at the company's plant in Greenville, Ohio.

Energy

COP 23: Leaving the World a Better Place for Generations to Come

Nov 14, 2017 3:00 PM ET

This year’s “Conference of the Parties,” or COP, is officially underway. Now in its 23rd year, organizations have an opportunity to understand its purpose and meaning for the public and private sectors. The COP traces its roots back to the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, which set out a framework for action aimed at avoiding climate impact. Today, the conference boasts a near-universal membership of 196 countries, carrying forward the mission of addressing leading climate issues facing the world.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Wells Fargo Surpasses 50,000 Winter Coats to Chicago Students

Nov 14, 2017 3:00 PM ET

Wells Fargo & Company volunteers will surpass the 50,000 mark this week in the bank’s eighth-consecutive year of delivering winter coats to Chicago students across the city. Children at 11 schools will receive free outerwear ahead of frigid winter temperatures.

Health & Healthcare

Reflections from Uganda: Partnerships to Eliminate Disease

Nov 14, 2017 2:50 PM ET

There is nothing more inspiring to me than observing the direct impact that collaboration and partnership can have on communities in need.
Last month, I was fortunate to join Pfizer colleagues and partners on a trip to Moroto, Uganda. We journeyed to this district in the northern part of the country to observe a mass drug administration (MDA) of antibiotics to help treat and prevent trachoma, the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness. The MDA in Moroto was the latest in an expansive global effort to eliminate this neglected tropical disease, which, if left untreated, can cause the eyelids to turn inward so the eyelashes scrape the eyeball, causing excruciating pain and irreversible blindness.

Diversity & Inclusion

Whirlpool Salutes Its 51 Veterans

Nov 14, 2017 2:45 PM ET

Whirlpool Cleveland honored its employees for Veterans Day. The special event was just one of many gatherings hosted by Whirlpool Corporation at plants across the nation.

Diversity & Inclusion

Whirlpool Veterans Honored With Luncheon

Nov 14, 2017 2:30 PM ET

Shenita Patterson didn’t know her experience in the Army would come into play when she joined Whirlpool Corp. Four years after joining the company’s employee resource group for veterans, Patterson is appreciative of what the appliance maker has done to make her feel more at home.

Health & Healthcare

The Diabetes Research Institute: Moving Groundbreaking Research From the Lab to Patients

Nov 14, 2017 2:15 PM ET

November is Diabetes Awareness month, and a time to elevate the dialogue about how this disease affects millions of people across the world. For those living with and managing the disease every day, a world free from the pain and suffering of diabetes is the ultimate dream. While there are many organizations that raise awareness about diabetes, the Diabetes Research Institute is unique in its singular focus on a cure. Our dedication to curing diabetes now is a testament to the belief that tomorrow is not soon enough to cure those living with diabetes.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Hour of Code 2017: Unlock an Exciting New World by Taking a ‘Hero’s Journey’

Nov 14, 2017 1:55 PM ET

In a few weeks, people around the world will celebrate Computer Science Education Week. Millions of kids and others will participate in an Hour of Code, a global call to action to spend an hour learning the basics of coding. Today, it’s my privilege to announce that Microsoft has released a new Minecraft tutorial for Hour of Code, called Hero’s Journey, that will be used in classrooms, at after-school programs, community centers and homes everywhere.

Education

Wendy’s Announces 2017 Wendy’s High School Heisman National Finalists

Nov 14, 2017 1:45 PM ET

The cut has been made and Wendy's High School Heisman® names the Top Ten Scholar-Athletes in the U.S. These young men and women will now compete to become the Wendy's High School Heisman National Winners.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Timberland Transforms Philadelphia Green Space in Second Year of its Urban Greening Commitment

Nov 14, 2017 1:30 PM ET

Recently, over 100 volunteers from Timberland and its partners from Journeys, KicksUSA and Urban Outfitters, as well as local Philadelphia photo-blogger Conrad Benner of StreetsDept.com, came together to help transform a section of an abandoned railway in Philadelphia into a new city green space, that will open to the public in Spring 2018.

Environment

In the Face of Climate Change: The Challenges of Sustainability Leadership

Nov 14, 2017 1:15 PM ET

Energy

GM Shares Blueprint for Accelerating and Scaling Corporate Renewable Energy Plans

Nov 14, 2017 1:05 PM ET

General Motors has created a downloadable blueprint for accelerating and scaling a corporate renewable energy plan, intended to help companies of all sizes and industries create efficiencies, gain internal support and drive progress.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Aflac Holiday Duck Wears His Heart on His Chest This Holiday Season

Nov 14, 2017 1:00 PM ET

Aflac, the leader in voluntary insurance sales at the worksite in the United States and a committed corporate ally in raising funds and awareness for childhood cancer, today introduced its 2017 Aflac Holiday Duck. Along with Macy's, which will once again provide space in its stores to sell the collectors’ item, Aflac will donate all net proceeds from sales of the Aflac Holiday Duck to The Aflac Foundation Inc. to help children with cancer across the county. The popular gift is available at participating Macy's stores across the nation and online at Aflac.com/HolidayDuck.

Green Infrastructure

First Electric Highway in U.S. Unveiled Near Ports of L.A. and Long Beach

Nov 14, 2017 12:40 PM ET

On Nov. 8, the country’s first electrified highway, or eHighway, was demonstrated by the South Coast Air Quality Management District and Siemens. The demonstration of big rig trucks hauling freight took place on a mile-long stretch of Alameda Street near the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Southern California Edison is providing engineering support for the project and analyzing how the system integrates into the grid.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Employee Recognition and Post-Workplace Giving Campaign Follow Up

Nov 14, 2017 11:30 AM ET

As the year comes to an end, you are likely wrapping-up your employee giving program activities. But what exactly does wrapping up your program entail?