ESG News from Leading Brands

Innovation & Technology

Qualcomm Announces Winners of the 2017 Qualcomm Innovation Fellowship Program in India

Jul 21, 2017 4:55 PM ET

Qualcomm Incorporated today announced six winners of the Qualcomm Innovation Fellowship (QInF) program in India for the 2017-2018 academic year.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Keybank Provides a Total of $11.8 Million in Financing for Vancouver, Wa, Affordable Housing Development

Jul 21, 2017 4:45 PM ET

KeyBank’s Community Development Lending & Investment (CDLI) team provided a total of $11.8 million in financing for the construction of Meriwether Place Apartments, an affordable housing development, located in Vancouver, WA.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Aramark, New York Mets Recognized for Food Waste Minimization Efforts

Jul 21, 2017 3:00 PM ET

Social Impact & Volunteering

Keep Golden Isles Beautiful Encourages Girl Scout’s Effort to Prevent Stormwater Drain Debris

Jul 21, 2017 2:35 PM ET

Chelsea Yates, an ambitious 11-year-old, has jump-started a movement to remind people that littering around public storm drains negatively effects the environment -- namely, marine life -- by posting notices on roadside storm drains in Brunswick, Georgia.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

nuun hydration Runs with Whole Planet Foundation to Fund Microcredit Loans for the World’s Poor

Jul 21, 2017 2:00 PM ET

Whole Planet Foundation welcomes nuun hydration as a new member of the $10,000 Fund and as a sponsor of this year’s Virtual 10K Run, which aims to raise funds for microlending projects in 69 countries. “Our mission at nuun is simple in that ‘we inspire everyone to move more,’” says Kevin Rutherford, CEO (Chief Eternal Optimist) at nuun hydration. “The team at nuun is thrilled to partner with the positive change agents at Whole Planet Foundation, getting more people moving in the Virtual 10K Run, while giving back to help lift entrepreneurs out of poverty.” Visit Whole Planet Foundation’s blog for hydration tips from nuun and a chance to receive a limited edition nuun x WPF water bottle with your Virtual 10K registration and t-shirt purchase.

Environment

Republic Services Expands its Natural Gas-Powered Fleet in Northern Ohio

Jul 21, 2017 1:35 PM ET

Republic Services of Northern Ohio announced today the addition of 25 compressed natural gas (CNG) powered trucks to its fleet. The new CNG-powered trucks are replacing older, diesel-powered trucks, and help to reduce unwanted noise and air emissions in the communities they serve. The expansion includes a new CNG fueling station and highly advanced maintenance facility, which will enable more efficient operations and service for customers throughout Lorain, Cuyahoga and Medina counties.

Events, Media & Communications

Business Leaders From Leading US Brands to Tackle Linking Social Purpose With Commercial Success in San Francisco This November

Jul 21, 2017 1:00 PM ET

The Responsible Business Summit is returning to the US in 2017 to tackle some of the top societal and business-critical issues faced on the West Coast to launch for the first time in San Francisco on November 14-15.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Consumers Energy Named a ‘Most Trusted Brand’ Among Nation’s Electric, Natural Gas Providers

Jul 21, 2017 12:30 PM ET

An independent national survey has named Consumers Energy as a “Most Trusted Brand,” ranking it fourth in the nation among providers of electricity and natural gas among residential customers. “We are focused on delivering an exceptional customer experience to the 6.7 million Michigan residents who count on us for electricity and natural gas every day for their homes or businesses,” said Patti Poppe, Consumers Energy’s president and chief executive officer. “We feel honored that our customers are telling us we are doing well, and we will strive to do even better as we look to the future.”

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Aflac Corporate Social Responsibility Heroes

Jul 21, 2017 12:15 PM ET

Twice a month, you'll find Aflac Regional Sales Coordinator David Watsonand his "Breakfast Crew" up before the sun, cooking a hot breakfast at the Family Emergency Shelter for homeless children and parents in Louisville, Kentucky. When David found out the Shelter struggled with funding to help these families, he and his team stepped up in a big way. In fact, Volunteers of America named him their Volunteer of the Year. Look for David, along with our other Aflac Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) heroes, in the new Aflac CSR Report on July 25.

Events, Media & Communications

Europe’s Leading Responsible Supply Chain Conference to Return to London this October to Propel Social and Business Impact Through the Supply Chain

Jul 21, 2017 11:25 AM ET

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Piedmont Natural Gas Named a Most Trusted Utility Brand

Jul 21, 2017 11:00 AM ET

Piedmont Natural Gas has been designated most trusted utility brand among residential customers, according to a new report based on surveys of customers of the nation's 129 largest utilities.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Zero Waste-to-Landfill: It’s Not Just for Manufacturing Anymore

Jul 21, 2017 10:35 AM ET

When we talk about waste going to landfill it’s usually about one of two sources: manufacturing or the dinner table. But what about all the connector points that a product hits before it gets to you? Here at Nestlé we are taking a whole supply chain approach, and I’m happy to share that now your Stouffer’s Lasagna (or your DiGiorno pizza, or your Edy’s ice cream…) are coming to you from distribution centers that are landfill-free.

Innovation & Technology

Through Code Conference Lens: How Tech is Breaking the Barriers to Addressing Societal Challenges

Jul 21, 2017 10:15 AM ET

When we think about the future of our digital world, we are seeing an increasingly decentralized approach to initiating change. This approach, coupled with instincts to partner and the power of networks to bring about impact, makes technology an incredible accelerator of large-scale change. Now more then ever, it is a problem-solving tool distributed to the masses, and one that increasingly enables action.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

VIDEO | Sands Cares: Las Vegas Sands' Corporate Giving Program

Jul 21, 2017 10:10 AM ET

Las Vegas Sands’ global corporate giving program, Sands Cares, integrates our philanthropic work worldwide, including financial giving, Team Member volunteerism and in-kind support. The ultimate goal for Sands Cares is to build on our company’s legacy of making an impact in the areas we care about most – our People and those working in the hospitality industry, the Communities we call home and the Planet we share.

Sustainable Development Goals

Unreasonable Impact | The Startup That Will Change the Way China Feeds Its Cities

Jul 21, 2017 10:05 AM ET

Beijing-based startup Alesca Life is democratizing access to fresh food by creating solutions that enable anyone anywhere to grow the safest, healthiest, and freshest produce in the most efficient way possible. Their automated indoor food production system is currently growing nutrient-dense produce using no pesticides, no soil, no sunlight, 20-25 times less water, fertilizer, and land compared to traditional farming practices.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Inclusive Growth: How Business Leads

Jul 21, 2017 10:00 AM ET

Companies are taking action on promoting inclusive growth through three main mechanisms: creating good jobs, expanding access to products, and engaging with society. Here are some examples.

Environment

Money Talks: The Bottom Line of Our Shorelines

Jul 21, 2017 9:45 AM ET

No one gains from polluted oceans and shorelines. Yet the problem persists, so how do we inspire change? Like it or not, money talks. That’s why JetBlue has converted the value of environmental health into dollars.

Health & Healthcare

A Vision for a Healthy India

Jul 21, 2017 9:30 AM ET

Energy

Use VSD Compressors, Save Energy (and Money)

Jul 21, 2017 9:25 AM ET

Whether you call it VFD, frequency converter or inverter, VSD technology by any other name is just as efficient. On average, VSD compressors use about 35 percent less energy than their fixed-speed counter parts. But what does a 35 percent reduction in energy costs really look like? Well, that depends on your plant.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Social Responsibility in a Time of Change

Jul 21, 2017 9:05 AM ET

The path to “social responsibility” is not a direct one, and it’s one that is navigated in an environment that is constantly shifting. So how should a company achieve social responsibility in a situation that is buffeted by change?

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

The Rise of Employee Engagement Through Social Action

Jul 21, 2017 9:05 AM ET

​Companies are under increasing pressure from stakeholders to demonstrate their commitment to social and environmental initiatives. Whether it’s providing shelter or meals for homeless families, increasing funding for educational programs or lobbying for change in Washington about issues that affect their businesses, consumers, clients and investors want to know that the companies they invest in aren’t afraid to engage in social initiatives.

Education

Weatherford Hosts High School STEM Externs

Jul 21, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Events, Media & Communications

Call for Corporate Social Responsibility Speakers

Jul 21, 2017 9:00 AM ET

ACCP, as is tradition, looks to the leaders in corporate social responsibility to help shape the agenda for ACCP: The Conference.

Environment

Measuring Natural Capital and Practicing the Circular Economy

Jul 21, 2017 8:55 AM ET

We recently launched the Natural Capital Protocol Toolkit, a brand new resource to help companies implement the Natural Capital Protocol. The Protocol and Toolkit help businesses address natural capital depletion by improving understanding, measurement and decision-making. Find the right tools to measure and value natural capital today!

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Huddle Up Providing Scholarships to Oregon Kids

Jul 21, 2017 6:00 AM ET

Safeway and Albertsons has partnered with KGWNews and The Harrington Family Foundation to improve access to higher education for low-income students in Oregon. The Harrington Family Foundation's Quarterback Scholarship invests in local communities who make a difference in in thei