ESG News from Leading Brands

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Visa Responds to Hurricane Harvey in Texas

Aug 29, 2017 1:30 PM ET

At Visa, our thoughts are with everyone impacted by the devastation of Hurricane Harvey. Today, we are announcing our commitment to support immediate relief and recovery efforts in Texas.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Cox and The Trust for Public Land Announce Eric Sophiea as Arizona’s 2017 Cox Conserves Hero

Aug 29, 2017 1:00 PM ET

Sophiea founded Climbers Association of Southern Arizona in 2015 to build an empowered group of rock climbers who give back to the community. As President, Sophiea dedicates thousands of personal volunteer hours managing all levels of the registered 501(c)(3) organization. He has forged collaborations with nonprofits and conservation agencies, including the AZ Wilderness Coalition, AZ Conservation Corps and the US Forest Service.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Helping in the Wake of Hurricane Harvey

Aug 29, 2017 12:45 PM ET

The destructive power of Hurricane Harvey, which made land over Texas this weekend, has been described by the National Weather Service as unprecedented and the full devastation of the storm is still unknown. Our thoughts go out to those who have been impacted, harmed and displaced by this terrible natural disaster. We also thank the brave men and women who have worked tirelessly and in grave danger to rescue people from the flood waters and to provide aid to those in need.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Keep America Beautiful Selects 2017–2018 National Youth Advisory Council

Aug 29, 2017 12:30 PM ET

Keep America Beautiful, the nation’s iconic community improvement nonprofit organization, has selected 11 high school students from across the country to serve on its sixth national Youth Advisory Council, which is sponsored through the generous support of the Wrigley Company Foundation.

Events, Media & Communications

Smart Cities, Stupid Cities, and How Data Can Be Used to Solve Urban Policy Problems

Aug 29, 2017 12:10 PM ET

The idea that we can and should use data to solve urban policy problems is widely accepted among policy makers, academic researchers and in the business community. Most mayors have accepted the value of data driven policy by signing on to what might be called the “smart city movement.” Not all urban leaders actually know what it means to be a smart city though.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Mohawk Becomes Proud School Crasher in Community-Focused School Makeover Program

Aug 29, 2017 11:55 AM ET

This summer, Mohawk Industries partnered with a Georgia-based credit union to “crash” four schools and give them makeovers in the fourth annual Georgia United Credit Union School Crashers℠ program. School Crashers offers local schools the opportunity to apply for a facility makeover. In 2017, 330 schools submitted nominations for makeovers.

Social Impact & Volunteering

HELP of Southern Nevada Opens New Shannon West Homeless Youth Center

Aug 29, 2017 11:30 AM ET

After eight years of planning, HELP of Southern Nevada has opened their new location of the Shannon West Homeless Youth Center on July 14 on Flamingo Road. The new 37,000 square-foot center provides services to youth at no cost and the residential and day programming enables youth to learn skills necessary to succeed as adults.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Connecting Cotton and Trees Signals Hope for Farmers in Haiti

Aug 29, 2017 11:30 AM ET

Once the country's fourth largest agricultural export, cotton is making its comeback to Haiti after a 30-year absence. Today, global outdoor lifestyle brand Timberland, the Smallholder Farmers Alliance (SFA) and Haiti’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Pierre Marie Du Mény, announce the reintroduction of cotton as an anchor crop in Haiti which will help revitalize farming, boost the economy and contribute to environmental restoration through a link to tree planting.

Events, Media & Communications

Hurricane Harvey Relief Coordination Webinar: August 30 @ 1:00 p.m. EDT

Aug 29, 2017 11:30 AM ET

The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey has led to extreme flooding in Texas over the past few days and damaged homes and businesses, displaced families and individuals, and left at least eight fatalities in the region. In the wake of disasters such as these, a multi-sector response effort is critical.

Events, Media & Communications

The Latest on Hurricane Harvey Support and Response

Aug 29, 2017 11:00 AM ET

We are working hard to ensure all our associates in the affected area are safe and customers have access to the essential items needed during this difficult time. Associates have been working closely with the Red Cross and local government officials to understand how we can best help. At this time, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have committed at least $1 million in support, and our local teams will continue to provide extra assistance over the coming days and weeks as we learn more about the damage and what is needed.

Innovation & Technology

Avnet and Arizona State University Invite Enterprising Students to Compete in Second Annual ASU Innovation Open

Aug 29, 2017 10:30 AM ET

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Responsible Investing – Principles, Pillars and Progress

Aug 29, 2017 10:25 AM ET

The responsible investing movement that we have started and shaped has reached the end of the beginning, with a broad and strong foundation that will evolve to provide the superstructure of our society’s continuing struggle to address and solve its greatest challenges. Our efforts are working, and we are being joined in our mission by more investors worldwide every day. But there is more to be done...

Environment

Domtar Sustainability: The Measure of a River

Aug 29, 2017 10:15 AM ET

It is an ongoing challenge for this federal agency to secure the money required to maintain real-time monitoring stations across the country. Moreover, if the USGS stops executing this mission, the benefit of long-term water monitoring data is lost. Enter Domtar. We understand the importance of real-time water quality and stream flow data.

Environment

Wildlife Thrives at Bacardi Bottling Facility

Aug 29, 2017 10:15 AM ET

The Bacardi Bottling Corporation in Jacksonville, Fla., welcomes wildlife of all types on its 92-acre industrial site. Through its eco-conscious efforts to help pollinators thrive, the bottling plant works to fulfill its Good Spirited sustainability initiative of putting back at least as much as they take away. The campus’ animal-friendly conservation efforts include a monarch butterfly habitat, blue martin bird houses, and bat houses, with a plan of adding honeybee hives in the future.

Research, Reports & Publications

NRG | Sustainable Retail Operations: Green Mountain Energy

Aug 29, 2017 10:10 AM ET

In 2016, GME partnered with the Texas Parks 
& Wildlife Department (TPWD) to provide the organization innovative and cost-effective solar and smart-meter solutions. Additionally, GME will provide energy solutions to all TPWD facilities in deregulated areas with 100 percent renewable energy, supporting the TPWD’s mission to manage and conserve the state’s natural and cultural resources for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

Green Infrastructure

WELL Scales Across Every Dimension

Aug 29, 2017 10:05 AM ET

Healthy people through better buildings: That’s our daily focus here at the International WELL Building Institute.

Diversity & Inclusion

Now Is the Time to Examine (and Re-Examine) Your Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Aug 29, 2017 10:00 AM ET

Recent events remind us of the importance of corporate action on diversity and inclusion, as well as the need to defend equality and fairness. These events raise important questions about the true meaning of these terms today.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Social Entrepreneur - What Would You Do with 400,000 Swiss Francs?

Aug 29, 2017 10:00 AM ET

Harnessing the power of private enterprise to tackle social challenges with business solutions is what we call Creating Shared Value (CSV). It’s a philosophy that has long driven our decision making at Nestlé and is reflected by our company purpose of enhancing quality of life and contributing to a healthier future.

We’ve also spent time finding and supporting entrepreneurs who exemplify Creating Shared Value through their business ideas and actions. Harnessing these innovations will put new solutions on the table and, at the same time, help spread wealth and prosperity. To recognise and promote the work of pioneers in this field, we launched the Nestlé Creating Shared Value Prize in 2010. Today we launch its 2018 edition.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Country Music Star Shares His Heart and Voice to Lift Up Nation's Wounded Heroes

Aug 29, 2017 10:00 AM ET

Country music legend Lee Greenwood has a voice, and a heart, for service. As the national ambassador for Helping a Hero, he flies all over the country to perform and present wounded soldiers with keys to new, handicap-accessible homes. He is also a spokesperson for Disabled American Veterans, “Products for Good” and the Honor 1 Campaign. Lee has performed his iconic 1983 hit, “God Bless the USA,” at numerous charitable events throughout his career, including a performance at New York City’s Yankee Stadium just a few days after 9/11.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Beermaker Carlsberg Zeroes In On Zero

Aug 29, 2017 9:45 AM ET

Speaking to BusinessGreen, Simon Boas Hoffmeyer, sustainability director at Carlsberg Group, is confident that despite their ambition the "Together Towards Zero" goals can be delivered, and as early as 2030. After all, this is not a plan that was simply thrown together after a few beers.

Sustainable Development Goals

Merck Supports U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals

Aug 29, 2017 9:25 AM ET

Brenda Colatrella, executive director of Corporate Responsibility at Merck, has coauthored a paper on developing health-focused public-private partnerships that will support the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and are based on governments’ sustainable development pl

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Aramark Named One of the Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion

Aug 29, 2017 9:15 AM ET

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Spotlight: Kate Coler, VP of Government Relations at Albertsons Companies, on Women's Equality Day

Aug 29, 2017 9:00 AM ET

August 26th is Women's Equality Day, a day commemorating the signing of the 19th Amendment, which granted U.S. women the right to vote. On August 26, 1920, American women rightfully became part of the political process to form policies that would affect them, their families, schools, states and the entire country.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Wells Fargo Names Winners In Small Business Renovation Contest

Aug 29, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Wells Fargo today named 20 small businesses as winners and finalists of the Wells Fargo Works for Small Business®: Neighborhood Renovation Program Contest, which ran from May 1 – June 16, 2017. Each business will receive a physical makeover including architect-advised renovation planning and design. Wells Fargo launched the program in collaboration with Rebuilding Together, a premier nonprofit organization focused on rebuilding communities in need across the country, which will help complete the renovations.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

HPE Named One of Nation's Most Community-Minded Companies

Aug 29, 2017 8:55 AM ET

For the fifth consecutive year, HPE has been named one of the most community-minded companies in the US by the Civic 50. In 2016, 20,000 HPE employees volunteered 729,000 hours! HPE also invested $40 million in social initiatives