ESG News from Leading Brands

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Merck Recognized for Supplier Diversity Spend and Inducted into Billion Dollar Roundtable

Aug 31, 2017 9:05 AM ET

Merck has been inducted into the Billion Dollar Roundtable (BDR) at a ceremony that showcased the company’s commitment to economic inclusion and supplier diversity. As one of 27 member companies, Merck joins an exclusive group of U.S.-based corporations that have attained $1 billion or more in annual supply-chain diversity spend.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Join Wendy's in Supporting the American Red Cross Relief Efforts for Hurricane Harvey

Aug 31, 2017 9:05 AM ET

Over the past few days, Hurricane Harvey has caused unprecedented and catastrophic flooding in southeastern Texas and Louisiana. Our thoughts and prayers are with the members of the Wendy’s Family and all those who have been affected by this tragedy.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

The Wilson Celebrity Invitational in Partnership With Safeway, Donates Over $1.6 Million to Strong Against Cancer

Aug 31, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, on behalf of his Why Not You Foundation, will present Seattle Children’s and its Strong Against Cancer initiative a donation of $1,675,367 during the Friday Seahawks versus Chiefs preseason game at CenturyLink Field.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Sodexo Named as Top-Scorer on the 2017 Disability Equality Index List®

Aug 31, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Sodexo, a food services and facilities management company, was named as a top-scorer in the 2017 Disability Equality Index® produced by the US Business Leadership Network® (USBLN®) and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). Sodexo, which received a 90 out of 100 percent, was among 110 companies who were evaluated on culture, leadership, community engagement and support services.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Hallmark Forest Stewardship | Sourcing Paper Responsibly

Aug 31, 2017 8:50 AM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Bristol-Myers Squibb Increases Support of Hurricane Harvey Relief Efforts in Texas

Aug 30, 2017 6:45 PM ET

Bristol-Myers Squibb and the Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation have increased support of emergency relief efforts in southeastern Texas following Hurricane Harvey, the first major hurricane to make landfall in the U.S. in over a decade.

Social Impact & Volunteering

AEG Partners with Los Angeles Regional Food Bank to Host Community Impact Day

Aug 30, 2017 6:30 PM ET

In conjunction with AEG’s longstanding relationship with the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and AEG’s core principles of public service, community outreach and volunteerism, more than 70 employees from AEG’s Los Angeles offices spent the day preparing food kits at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank in Commerce, Calif. on Aug. 29.

Environment

TD Bank Group to Reach Goal of Planting 300,000 Trees in North America

Aug 30, 2017 5:30 PM ET

TD Bank Group, through its urban greening grassroots program, TD Tree Days, is proud to be reaching its goal of planting its 300,000th tree this year. Since the program launched in 2010, TD Tree Days has worked with community organizations across Canada, the United States and Europe to bring together TD employees, their families and friends, and community members to help make a difference in their communities.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Nestlé Waters North America Donates More Than 1 Million Bottles of Water to Hurricane Harvey Relief

Aug 30, 2017 5:25 PM ET

Nestlé Waters North America has collaborated with relief organizations to donate more than 1.3 million bottles of water to those impacted by Hurricane Harvey. Twenty-six truckloads – and counting – have delivered clean, safe bottled water to communities in Texas and Louisiana distributed by relief partners on the ground, including Americares, the American Red Cross, Gleaning For The World, Convoy of Hope and Feeding America.

Environment

How Leading Beverage Companies Are Tackling Climate Change Together

Aug 30, 2017 5:10 PM ET

Climate change poses one of the greatest challenges to the continued prosperity of societies and businesses around the world, as well as the vitality of our natural resources and environment.

Since 2006, members of the Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER) have been working to advance environmental sustainability in the beverage sector and fight climate change through collaboration, data collection, standard setting and more.

Social Impact & Volunteering

The Walt Disney Company and KTRK-TV Houston Commit to $1 Million for Hurricane Harvey Relief

Aug 30, 2017 5:00 PM ET

The Walt Disney Company and its owned ABC television station KTRK in Houston today jointly announced a $1 million cash commitment to the American Red Cross in support of recovery efforts for communities affected by Hurricane Harvey.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

MGM Resorts Foundation Accepting Nonprofit Grant Proposals for the 2017 – 2018 Community Grant Fund Program

Aug 30, 2017 5:00 PM ET

Beginning September 5, The MGM Resorts Foundation will accept nonprofit grant applications through its online portal until October 13, 2017. Funding will be awarded to local nonprofit agencies that provide services focused on strengthening neighborhoods, strengthening children and providing strength in difficult times.

Events, Media & Communications

Mohawk Makes the Finish Line at Ironman® 70.3® World Championship

Aug 30, 2017 3:40 PM ET

Mohawk will not just be providing the carpet. Employees have volunteered to spend a portion of their weekend to staff one of the aid stations along the race course. There they will distribute water and nutrition while cheering on athletes as they take on a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride and 13.1-mile run.

Research, Reports & Publications

Ingersoll Rand CTO Sheds Light on Innovation and Global Macro Trends

Aug 30, 2017 3:30 PM ET

As a global provider of energy-efficient technology solutions, Ingersoll Rand is positioned to pursue opportunities that arise from the nexus between energy efficiency and climate change mitigation. While energy resource demands and climate change represent great risks for society and the planet, we recognize that the innovation that addresses these issues is a potential growth driver for our business.

Education

STEM Girls for Social Good: Empowering Girls to Change the World

Aug 30, 2017 2:55 PM ET

Why aren't women pursuing careers in STEM fields? Meet the problem solver at Booz Allen Hamilton who’s working to bridge the diversity gap and empower the next generation of women to change the world. Meet Cheryl Wade.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

10 Problems. 10 Solutions. 10 Awards. Classy.

Aug 30, 2017 2:50 PM ET

Habitat has created a $100 million “MicroBuild Fund” to finance longer-term loans to people without access to traditional credit sources so they can afford to upgrade their housing.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Passion for Public Health and Commitment to Service Helps One Volunteer Find Her Fit

Aug 30, 2017 2:30 PM ET

Sydney Lawrence was working as a scribe in the emergency department of a hospital and just about to begin graduate school to pursue a certificate in public health when, in a chance meeting, she heard about an organization called HOLA – a nonprofit dedicated to providing sustainable healthcare solutions to developing countries in Latin America.

Environment

Scotiabank CSR Perspectives: La Sabana Park Restoration Project in Costa Rica

Aug 30, 2017 2:15 PM ET

Since 2008 Scotiabank Costa Rica has been in charge of an ecological restoration in La Sabana park in the middle of San Jose, Costa Rica, a place where people go to be active.

Environment

Manos al Agua is Finalist in 2017 Digital Transformation with Social Impact Awards

Aug 30, 2017 1:10 PM ET

The recognition was for the work done during the last more than three years through the Manos al Agua app, which manages relevant information that enables to monitor and control activities. The app gets real-time information on training and implementation activities on farms and in coffee river basins.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

GM Executive Uses Experiences and Career to Promote Sustainability

Aug 30, 2017 12:45 PM ET

For Mari Kay Scott, General Motors’ executive director of Global Environmental Compliance and Sustainability, advancing sustainability is not just a part of her job title. It’s a lifestyle.

Environment

3 Ways Cox Enterprises Improves Water Quality

Aug 30, 2017 12:40 PM ET

Water is essential for life, and ensuring an adequate supply of this irreplaceable resource – for businesses, communities and people – is one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. Climate change and a growing population are worsening water challenges in many American regions and communities. Cox Enterprises is committed to doing its part to contribute to a sustainable water future.

Environment

Pfizer Progress on 2020 Environmental Sustainability Goals

Aug 30, 2017 12:30 PM ET

Pfizer has had two successful Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reduction goals which resulted in reductions of GHG emissions by roughly half from 2000 to 2014. We are working hard to meet our third GHG reduction goal to reduce emissions 20 percent further by 2020 from a 2012 baseline.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

T. Rowe Price Names Maria Elena Drew Director of Research, Responsible Investing

Aug 30, 2017 12:30 PM ET

T. Rowe Price today announced that Maria Elena Drew has joined the firm as director of research, responsible investing. In this role, Maria Elena will deepen the firm’s research on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations and focus on the continued incorporation of ESG analysis into the firm’s investment decisions. ESG considerations are increasingly important to many of the firm’s clients and prospects.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Human Rights Activist and Actress Julia Ormond to Keynote Responsible Electronics 2017

Aug 30, 2017 12:30 PM ET

The Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition (EICC), a nonprofit coalition of leading companies dedicated to improving social, environmental and ethical conditions in their global supply chains, today announced that human rights activist and actress Julia Ormond will provide the keynote address at EICC’s annual conference in Santa Clara, Calif. on Oct. 17, 2017.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Three Quality of Lifehacks to Build Office Camaraderie

Aug 30, 2017 12:20 PM ET

The NFL season kicks-off on Thursday, September 7, when the Kansas City Chiefs face off against the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots. With the start of the NFL season comes fantasy football.