ESG News from Leading Brands

Social Impact & Volunteering

Xylem Volunteers Guide Students Through EarthEcho Water Challenge

Apr 13, 2018 9:00 AM ET

In February, EarthEcho International, along with partner Love A Sea Turtle of Greenville, North Carolina, hosted a training for volunteers from Xylem’s Morrisville location. Nine Xylem employees worked with over 100 students, guiding them through the EarthEcho Water Challenge and helping them to learn about the local aquatic ecosystem. In addition, students were able to interact with the new STEAM Lab that Love A Sea Turtle and the City of Greenville opened at River Park North. This STEAM Lab includes the first permanent EarthEcho Water Challenge field testing station to engage members of the community in the program, and was officially unveiled on World Water Day this year.

Energy

Harnessing the Power of the Sun for a U.S. Army Facility

Apr 13, 2018 9:00 AM ET

ECN Magazine highlighted the 2 megawatt, 24-acre solar photovoltaic array that is being constructed at the Dugway Proving Ground (DPG) site in Dugway, Utah. This new system will allow DPG’s existing electrical grid to produce 4 million kilowatt-hours of energy per year. Tetra Tech and joint venture partner TriEco are serving as the prime contractor for the design and build of the array. DPG is executing this project to optimize efficiency and conserve natural resources through on-site renewable energy generation and to support their objective of meeting renewable energy goals. This is the first of many prospective renewable energy projects to support to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) renewable energy goals.

Events, Media & Communications

Crisis Communications Expert Marc Berliner Joins Panel at the International Crisis Management Conference

Apr 12, 2018 6:00 PM ET

Cone, a Porter Novelli public relations and marketing agency specializing in Purpose and CSR, will join the International Crisis Management Conference (ICMC), as a sponsor of the two-day event in Boston April 24-25. The conference will cover the characteristics of a crisis, a framework to manage the life cycle of a crisis and provide training for preparedness professionals.

Environment

El Mundo: US to Support and Advise Cacao Producers in El Salvador

Apr 12, 2018 5:30 PM ET

El Departamento de Estado de los Estados Unidos abrió la convocatoria para que microempresas o pequeñas cooperativas dedicadas al cultivo de cacao puedan inscribirse en el concurso El Poder de Crecer, el cual premiará a los ganadores con acceso a asesoría por un capital de hasta $43,000 para promover una solución de negocios.

Environment

El Mundo: EE.UU. apoyará con asesoría a productores de cacao en El Salvador

Apr 12, 2018 5:30 PM ET

El Departamento de Estado de los Estados Unidos abrió la convocatoria para que microempresas o pequeñas cooperativas dedicadas al cultivo de cacao puedan inscribirse en el concurso El Poder de Crecer, el cual premiará a los ganadores con acceso a asesoría por un capital de hasta $43,000 para promover una solución de negocios.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Whole Foods Market Commissions Official Fiesta Medals Available for $10 each at San Antonio Locations

Apr 12, 2018 2:05 PM ET

San Antonio's annual Fiesta celebration, which began in 1891 and kicks off this year on April 19, is known for its tradition of artful medals commissioned by various organizations and businesses. For the second year, Whole Foods Market stores in San Antonio will sell unique medals designed by store graphic artists to celebrate Fiesta with sales benefiting Whole Kids Foundation.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

April Newsletter From GRI: Focus on Engagement for Better Reporting

Apr 12, 2018 2:00 PM ET

GRI's April newsletter is all about engagement. You can find articles about how members of GRI's network engage internally for better reporting, and about new partnerships with which GRI promotes engagement on topics such as conflict minerals and the capital markets. You can also find opportunities to collaborate with GRI, most notably the review of GRI 306: Effluents and Waste, and our Standards in Practice series. Don't forget to check out the upcoming events.

Innovation & Technology

Accenture Develop AI Solution to Aid the Visually Impaired in Life and Work

Apr 12, 2018 1:35 PM ET

A new Artificial Intelligence powered solution called Drishti has been developed by Accenture in order to improve the lives and work of the visually impaired. Drishti – Sanskrit for vision – will enhance the way visually impaired people experience the work all while improving workplace productivity.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

The UPS Foundation Awards $16 Million to Increase Humanitarian Relief, Community Resilience, and Safety Efforts

Apr 12, 2018 12:40 PM ET

The UPS Foundation, which leads the global citizenship efforts of UPS (NYSE: UPS), today announced it is awarding 2018 grants and in-kind support totaling more than $16 million to non-profit, non-governmental organizations and United Nations agencies for humanitarian relief, community resilience and safety programs worldwide.

Events, Media & Communications

IFF Celebrates Positive Transformational Change in 2017 Sustainability Report

Apr 12, 2018 12:30 PM ET

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (NYSE: IFF) (Euronext Paris: IFF), a leading innovator of sensory experiences that move the world, announced in its newly published 2017 sustainability report that it has already surpassed its 2020 goals for water, greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), and hazardous waste, among other achievements. The report details how the Company is meeting or exceeding its strategic sustainability goals, as well as how it is living up to its vision “To lead positive transformational changes toward a regenerative, healthy and abundant world.”

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption Launches New Website

Apr 12, 2018 12:00 PM ET

The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption launched its new website and it’s complete with some exciting new tools.

Environment

Tackling the Talent Shortage: How EHS Can Be a Strategic Teammate

Apr 12, 2018 11:55 AM ET

In this competitive hiring atmosphere, find out how an excellent EHS department can help you attract and retain top-notch talent.

Energy

Ingersoll Rand Achieves 2020 Energy Efficiency Goal and Advances Climate Commitment With Renewable Energy

Apr 12, 2018 11:30 AM ET

Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR), a world leader in creating comfortable, sustainable and efficient environments, announced that it has achieved a significant milestone in its global Climate Commitment ahead of schedule and is deepening its commitment with on-site and off-site renewable energy investments.

Research, Reports & Publications

How a Quantitative Green Chemistry Evaluator Works

Apr 12, 2018 11:10 AM ET

As many chemists turn to greener options in the lab, they face the challenge of properly evaluating the “greenness” of a chemical or process. The 12 Principles of Green Chemistry— developed by Paul Anastas and John Warner—provide a global framework that helps scientists learn about green chemistry and how to design or improve materials, products, processes, and systems. These complementary principles focus on resource efficiency, energy efficiency, and risk minimization (e.g., human health and environmental), while targeting a life-cycle perspective (e.g., raw materials extraction, chemical production, and end-of-life bioaccumulation and biodegradation). While these principles lay a solid foundation, they are only conceptual and do not provide a quantitative framework for scoring green pro

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Pfizer Foundation Continues Support of Local Organizations through 2018 Global Health Innovation Grants

Apr 12, 2018 11:00 AM ET

Events, Media & Communications

Dow Joins Forces with Erb Institute | Business for Sustainability to Expand Sustainability Literacy through Online Education Series

Apr 12, 2018 11:00 AM ET

In celebration of Earth Day, The Dow Chemical Company and the Erb Institute of University of Michigan are partnering to host the inaugural Elements of Sustainability Series, a free online education event taking place April 16-20, with webinars posted daily at 3 p.m. ET. The week-long webinar series will explore the fundamentals of sustainability as seven renowned academics share their expert insights on the leading global challenges shaping the future of business, society and sustainability.

Research, Reports & Publications

Timberland 2017 CSR Report Shows Steady Progress Toward 2020 Sustainability Goals

Apr 12, 2018 11:00 AM ET

Global outdoor lifestyle brand Timberland today releases its 2017 corporate social responsibility (CSR) report, showing steady progress toward its 2020 goals, which fall into three core pillars: make products responsibly; protect and enhance the outdoors; and serve communities. The results further demonstrate the company’s longstanding commitment to innovate and operate in a responsible manner.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Driving Energy Efficiency in the Industry – Seven Years and Counting

Apr 12, 2018 10:55 AM ET

Energy efficiency is a key part of General Motors’ strategy for a future with zero emissions. Last week, the automaker received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence award for the seventh consecutive year for its continuous leadership in protecting the environment through energy efficiency and growing its corporate energy program. The award is the highest honor an organization can receive from the EPA for energy management.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Dr. Mary Battrell Named the 2018 Swine Practitioner of the Year by American Association of Swine Veterinarians

Apr 12, 2018 10:35 AM ET

Smithfield's Dr. Mary Battrell has been named the 2018 Swine Practitioner of the Year by the American Association of Swine Veterinarians. Dr. Battrell received her veterinary medicine degree from Iowa State University and is a staff veterinarian for Smithfield's hog production division.

Research, Reports & Publications

Helping Companies Navigate the Complex Terrain of Corporate Sustainability

Apr 12, 2018 10:00 AM ET

The pressures of population, poverty, resource constraints, pollution and climate change challenge all of us to identify better ways to manage our businesses. As a sustainability-driven benefit corporation, SCS Global Services works with the natural resource, product manufacturing, green building, food and agriculture, and energy sectors to develop leadership standards and provide rigorous third-party auditing and certification. This cross-disciplinary work has given us unique insights into challenges faced by companies in achieving their sustainability goals, as well as the latest innovations in operations and technology to overcome these challenges. Our 2017 Annual Benefit Report provides a window into the wide world of sustainability practice in which we and our clients are engaged.

Environment

Rev. Leo Woodberry on Climate Justice

Apr 12, 2018 10:00 AM ET

How does one cultivate environmental activism in the deepest of red states? Is the current situation in the White House dividing Americans further, or expanding the progressive tent? This week on Sea Change Radio, we discuss these issues and more with the Reverend Leo Woodberry, a nondenominational pastor from South Carolina who is thoroughly committed to fighting climate change. Rev. Woodberry talks about his upcoming ten-state Justice First Tour, the upsides and downsides of raising awareness of climate change in the South, and the overlap between the Civil Rights and environmental movements as we mark the 50th anniversary of the passing of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Research, Reports & Publications

Bloomberg Publishes 2017 Impact Report

Apr 12, 2018 9:45 AM ET

Bloomberg today published its ninth Impact Report. The 2017 Impact Report integrates for the first time the recommendations of the FSB Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). A dedicated section on climate-related scenario analysis explores Bloomberg’s business strategy under a 2° or less Celsius scenario and under a scenario in which no concerted action is taken to mitigate climate change.

Education

Cisco VIDEO | GenYES Helps Students Develop IT and Leadership Skills

Apr 12, 2018 9:45 AM ET

GenYES trains students in grades 4 to 12 to provide technology support in their classrooms, helping to move their schools into the 21st century while gaining exposure to IT and STEM careers. Support from the Cisco Foundation enabled GenYES to expand to 30 schools in Yuma, Arizona, which received more than 1500 hours of tech support from students and saved $75K in IT service expenses.

Diversity & Inclusion

Gender Relations and Gaps in the Cocoa Value Chain in Peru

Apr 12, 2018 9:35 AM ET

Researchers at the World Agroforestry Centre have found that greater inclusion of women is needed to optimally intensify cocoa value-chains in a region of Peru.

Research, Reports & Publications

2017 Co-op Way Report

Apr 12, 2018 9:30 AM ET

The Co-op is one of the world’s largest consumer co-operatives, with over 4.6 million members. Its purpose is ‘Championing a better way of doing business for you and your communities’. Today the Co-op announces the launch of its 12th annual sustainability report.