ESG News from Leading Brands

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Comcast NBCUniversal Receives Top Awards at USBLN Annual Gala

Sep 20, 2017 10:05 AM ET

Comcast NBCUniversal is honored to be named one of the 2017 Best Places to Work by the US Business Leadership Network (USBLN) and American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), after receiving a score of 100 out of 100 on their annual Disability Equality Index (DEI) survey.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Points of Light Releases The 2017 Civic 50 Report

Sep 20, 2017 10:00 AM ET

Points of Light, the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service, has released a new report, “Inspiring and Leading in Times of Change: Insights and Best Practices from The 2017 Civic 50.” The Civic 50 provides a national standard for superior corporate citizenship and showcases how companies can use their time, skills and other resources to improve the quality of life in the communities where they do business.

Innovation & Technology

Demand for Digital Skills Increases in Middle-Skill Job Market

Sep 20, 2017 10:00 AM ET

Eight in ten middle-skill job postings now demand digital skills, a four-point increase over the last two years, according to new research conducted by Burning Glass Technologies for Capital One.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Aliko Dangote Foundation and GBCHealth Join Forces to Build African Business Coalition for Health

Sep 20, 2017 10:00 AM ET

Building on the leadership, reputation and convening power of the Aliko Dangote Foundation and the experience, reputation and global reach of GBCHealth, the African-led coalition of companies and philanthropists, will seek to improve the health and wellbeing of Africans, both within the workplace and within the broader communities. The partnership will develop and scale impactful health programs across Africa, deepening knowledge, building evidence for future investment and strengthening coordination among African philanthropists, business leaders, companies and local business networks.

Research, Reports & Publications

Trends in Integrated LNG and Gas Generation: A Timely Consideration for Indonesia and the Philippines

Sep 20, 2017 10:00 AM ET

For growing maritime nations like Indonesia and the Philippines, integrated liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving terminals and gas-fired gen can help balance the power mix. Although coal remains the No. 1 fuel choice, LNG and gas-to-power development could gain momentum, according to this year’s Electric Industry Report.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Consumers Energy Helps 10,000 Small Businesses Through Program that Rewards Energy Efficiency

Sep 20, 2017 10:00 AM ET

Consumers Energy has helped 10,000 small businesses across Michigan lower their costs through an eight-year-old program that rewards them financially for taking steps to use less energy.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Tupperware Celebrates Extraordinary Youth

Sep 20, 2017 9:55 AM ET

Tupperware Brands has a long history of supporting youth at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Canada. Here, the crème de la crème (Youths of the Year) share their achievements with over 3,000 Tupperware independent Sales Force Members.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Introducing the 42BELOW® Lemon Soap Science Series

Sep 20, 2017 9:50 AM ET

The “Lemon Ladies” are back! Check out the latest episodes of our planet saving, recycled cocktail lemons soapy scheme including the one where the Lemon Ladies reveal what's in our secret soap recipe.

Diversity & Inclusion

Advancing Gender Equality

Sep 20, 2017 9:45 AM ET

Responsible Production & Consumption

VIDEO | Behind-the-Scenes: Mohawk Group’s Lichen Collection

Sep 20, 2017 9:35 AM ET

Mohawk Group’s award-winning Lichen Collection is the world’s first floor covering to achieve Living Product Challenge Petal Certification from the International Living Future Institute.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Online Home Furnishings Retailer The Mine Makes a Commitment to Habitat for Humanity ReStores Valued at $1 Million

Sep 20, 2017 9:35 AM ET

Habitat ReStores are nonprofit home improvement stores and donation centers that sell building materials, appliances, new and gently used furniture, and home accessories at a fraction of the retail price. With nearly 900 Habitat ReStores across the U.S., proceeds allow Habitat to help more families build and improve their homes.

Responsible Production & Consumption

INTERVIEW: Yosemite Has A Trash Problem. What's Being Done About It?

Sep 20, 2017 9:10 AM ET

Yosemite National Park has a trash problem. The more than 4 million people who visit every year and those that live in Yosemite leave 2,200 tons of garbage there annually.

Responsible Production & Consumption

The Next Quarter Century’s Organic Marketplace: Insights from Stonyfield Farm's Gary Hirshberg

Sep 20, 2017 9:05 AM ET

The overall organic sector has followed the same impressive trajectory. According to the "Natural Foods Merchandiser", in 1992 organic sector sales were $1.54B. Organic food sales have enjoyed double-digit growth every year since the 1990’s, topping out at $47B in 2016 and on pace for another roughly 10 percent growth this year, when they will likely cross the $50B mark. The organic sector now makes up about 5 percent of US retail food sales and Growing.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Sands ECO360 | Hosting Green Meetings and Events

Sep 20, 2017 9:00 AM ET

With a few simple steps, we can help transform an event into a sustainable gathering. Many of our facilities have been awarded third-party environmental certification, providing a robust foundation for a successful sustainable meeting.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Up to $5 Million in Aid Committed by VSP Global to Support Victims of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma

Sep 20, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Eye care and eyewear are not usually top of mind following a natural disaster, but rebuilding your life in the aftermath when you can’t see clearly can make it even more difficult. VSP Global is committed to providing access to care at all times, but in times of crisis, that focus is amplified. To help, VSP Global has committed up to five million dollars in relief efforts. This includes partnering with VSP network doctors whose businesses have been damaged to help them return to providing eye care and eyewear for community members in need.

Diversity & Inclusion

21st Century Fox Celebrates Female Athletes by Donating Portion of ‘Battle of the Sexes’ Ticket Sales to Women’s Sports Foundation

Sep 20, 2017 8:30 AM ET

To mark the release of Battle of the Sexes, the new Fox Searchlight film about the legendary tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, parent company 21st Century Fox will donate a portion of ticket sales to the Women’s Sports Foundation, founded by King to empower female athletes. For every ticket sold on opening weekend, the company will donate 79 cents to WSF, representing the 79 cents that women in the United States earn on average for every dollar paid to men. The donation reflects both organizations’ commitments to both ensuring equality in the workplace, and continuing to expand opportunities for women in sports of all ages.

Sustainable Development Goals

A Force for Good: A Conversation With RBIS Sustainability Hero, Michael Colarossi

Sep 20, 2017 5:35 AM ET

With Sustainable September now underway, an opportunity to elevate the importance of sustainability on a global scale, and the release of our 2014-2016 sustainability report All of Us, Every Day, we caught up with our own Michael Colarossi, vice president of Innovation, Product Line Management, and Sustainability.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

De Beers Bus Deal Is Just the Ticket for Venetia

Sep 19, 2017 9:30 PM ET

The mine, working with VM Diamond Transport, wants to bring in businesses owned by historically disadvantaged South Africans to become 40 per cent shareholders in two bus companies soon to be established in Musina and Blouberg in the Limpopo Province.

Education

LA Galaxy and The Partnership for A Healthier America Team up for a Second Year in Support of “Drink Up” Initiative to Encourage Water Consumption Across Los Angeles

Sep 19, 2017 6:45 PM ET

The LA Galaxy and the Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA), a non-profit organization that works with the private sector to make healthier choices easier for busy parents and families, and an official partner of the club, are teaming up for a second year. The partnership will help bring water consumption awareness to Hispanic communities across east Los Angeles through Drink Up’s “H20 Claro,” campaign and various community events.

Sustainable Development Goals

Sappi North America's Environmental Responsibility: Energy and Emissions

Sep 19, 2017 5:30 PM ET

We approach environmental responsibility from a holistic perspective grounded in life cycle thinking—looking carefully at raw material use, energy generation, manufacturing and the end of life of our products. We work across the supply chain to drive chaNge within our spheres of influence.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

KeyBank Provides $15.1 Million in Financing to Harmony Housing for Affordable Housing Properties in North Carolina and Texas

Sep 19, 2017 5:00 PM ET

KeyBank Real Estate Capital has provided a total of $15.1 million through a Fannie Mae credit facility for the acquisition of five affordable housing properties in North Carolina and Texas by Harmony Housing, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing safe, clean and comfortable affordable housing throughout the United States.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Comcast NBCUniversal Makes Additional $1 Million Cash Donation to Hurricane Relief Efforts

Sep 19, 2017 4:05 PM ET

These cash donations, combined with in-kind support and funds raised through local NBCUniversal telethons for both hurricanes Irma and Harvey, raise Comcast NBCUniversal’s total contributions to almost $20 million.

Comcast also has launched an On Demand feature on Xfinity TV that makes it easy for the company’s more than 22 million video customers to support hurricane relief by either saying "Hurricane Relief" into their Xfinity X1 voice remote or clicking on the "Donate Now" screen and choosing to donate in the amount of either $1, $5 or $10.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

AEG Partners With Nautica Malibu Triathlon to Raise More Than $24,000 for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

Sep 19, 2017 4:00 PM ET

AEG, the leading sports and live entertainment company in the world, partnered with Nautica Malibu Triathlon for the second consecutive year to raise more than $24,000 for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) in conjunction with the 31st annual Nautica Malibu Triathlon presented by Equinox at Zuma Beach in Malibu, Calif. on Sunday, Sept. 17.

Sustainable Development Goals

One Year in, PepsiCo Reports Progress Against Performance With Purpose 2025 Goals

Sep 19, 2017 4:00 PM ET

PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP) reported progress towards its ambitious Performance with Purpose 2025 Agenda sustainability goals, announced last year. The company improved performance against goals in each of the Agenda's three focus areas – Products, Planet and People – while returning over $7 billion cash to shareholders during the same year.

Research, Reports & Publications

What Makes a Strong Leader in Sustainability?

Sep 19, 2017 3:35 PM ET

Work in sustainability entails immense challenges, and much of the area is uncharted. To navigate it, strong leadership is essential. For the twentieth year in a row, the GlobeScan-SustainAbility survey Sustainability Leaders has sought to answer that question by tracking the opinions of qualified experts and practitioners from government, NGOs, companies and institutions from all over the world.