ESG News from Leading Brands

Social Impact & Volunteering

‘Plogging’ - Scandinavian Fitness Trend of Collecting Litter While Jogging Comes to America

Feb 15, 2018 12:00 PM ET

Lifesum, has become the first health app to allow its users (25 million internationally) to log and track ‘plogging’: an emerging environmentally conscious exercise craze from Scandinavia in which people integrate the collection of litter within their jogging workout. The move has been supported by Keep America Beautiful, which has served as the nation’s nonprofit steward of litter prevention for more than six decades.

Events, Media & Communications

Access RobecoSAM's Leading Practice & Benchmarking Database for the Day @ DJSI - How Insights Inspire Action

Feb 15, 2018 11:45 AM ET

Each attendee will have free access to RobecoSAM's Benchmarking & Leading Practices Database for the day. Access to these databases normally cost 4’990 EUR and 2’500 EUR respectively.

Diversity & Inclusion

DMZ Launches ‘Women Founders Accelerator Program’ to Improve Gender Gap in Canada’s Tech Sector

Feb 15, 2018 11:25 AM ET

The DMZ at Ryerson University announced today the launch of a Women Founders accelerator program to help early-stage women-led startups secure early revenue and find their product-market fit. The four-month accelerator program, launched in partnership with Scotiabank and Tangerine, will fuel the success of Canadian women innovators.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Ecolab Named One of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for Twelfth Consecutive Year by the Ethisphere Institute

Feb 15, 2018 11:00 AM ET

Ecolab Inc. has again been recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute, the global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices. Ecolab has been named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies every year since the list’s inception in 2007.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

CBRE Group, Inc. Recognized on Barron’s 100 Most Sustainable Companies List

Feb 15, 2018 10:45 AM ET

CBRE Group, Inc. has been recognized as one of the 100 Most Sustainable Companies in the U.S. by Barron’s. The list was based on analysis of the 1,000 largest publicly held companies by market value, with headquarters in the U.S.

“CBRE’s recognition as one of the country’s Most Sustainable companies dramatically underscores how good corporate citizenship and good business go hand-in-hand,” said David Pogue, Senior Vice President, Global Client Care, CBRE.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Starbucks, PepsiCo Among 2018's Most Ethical Food Brands

Feb 15, 2018 10:00 AM ET

Since 2007, the Ethisphere Institute has been recognizing companies which “influence and drive positive change in the business community.” In a statement, the Ethisphere Institute wrote that companies which consistently show “transparency and authenticity,” should be rewarded for upholding values which “support the rule of law and operate with decency.”

Research, Reports & Publications

A New Greener Alternative Scoring Matrix Based on Twelve Principles of Green Chemistry

Feb 15, 2018 9:05 AM ET

MilliporeSigma created a unique web-based greener alternative scoring matrix, also known as DOZN™a quantitative green chemistry evaluator based on the 12 principles of green chemistry. The 12 principles of green chemistry provide a framework for learning about green chemistry and designing or improving materials, products, processes and systems. The DOZN™evaluatorscores products based on metrics for each principle and aggregates the principle scores to derive a final aggregate score.

Green Infrastructure

MEASURING WELL: ASID Post-Occupancy Analysis Highlights the Value of Designing WELL

Feb 15, 2018 9:05 AM ET

Considering that 90% of a company’s operating costs are spent on personnel, it’s no surprise that some of the earliest adopters of WELL have been commercial office spaces. It hasn’t taken long for human resources professionals and executives across the globe to realize that prioritizing people results in substantial return on investment.

Energy

China’s State Power Investment Corporation Adds New Energy to Sustainability by Joining WBCSD

Feb 15, 2018 8:45 AM ET

Global electricity leader State Power Investment Corporation Limited (SPIC) has today joined nearly 200 forward-thinking companies as the newest member of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Millennials & Money: We’re Not as Different as You Think

Feb 15, 2018 8:45 AM ET

The financial services industry is a bit obsessed with trying to understand the next generation of investors – the notorious millennials. And for good reason – millennials represent the largest generation in history with a spending power of $1.5 trillion and growing. Many millennials are well into their wealth accumulation phase and have already begun to inherit more than $30 trillion in the largest wealth transfer of all time.

Innovation & Technology

VIDEO | Alliance Data Recaps Data Privacy Day Efforts

Feb 15, 2018 8:35 AM ET

Alliance Data is a data-driven company, and to enable our clients to connect with their customers we need to be able collect, steward and protect data that in some instances is sensitive personal data. This year, in recognition of International Data Privacy Day, we educated our associates about the potential impacts of European Union's general data privacy regulation (GDPR).

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Hats Off to the 2018 Corporate Goodness Award Winners

Feb 15, 2018 7:25 AM ET

Every year, Benevity and our community takes a little time to recognize progressive companies who are harnessing the power of their people and communities through a modern approach to corporate giving and employee engagement. These companies have infused a culture of Goodness into the world through their employees, consumers, communities and beyond. They inspire us with their innovative approaches, their contributions and, most of all, their impact.

FIND OUT WHICH COMPANIES WENT HOME WITH ONE OF EIGHT CORPORATE GOODNESS AWARDS.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Third-Party Diamond Certification First to Use Advanced Laser Testing to Trace Diamonds from Mine to Market

Feb 15, 2018 6:00 AM ET

Diamond traceability back to the mine of origin – vital to the international due diligence movement for precious gems and minerals – just took a giant step forward. SCS Global Services, an internationally recognized certification body and standards developer, is pleased to announce that its diamond provenance certification program now incorporates advanced laser testing that can identify the source of any rough, cut, or polished diamond, anywhere in the chain of custody. Use of this disruptive technology, combined with comprehensive certification assessment protocols, provides unmatched assurance to diamond retailers and consumers alike that the diamonds they purchase or sell are not coming from conflict-affected and high-risk sources. This is a first for diamond origin verification.

Diversity & Inclusion

Building a Better Ladder: How Scotiabank Fosters Female Talent Through Sponsorship

Feb 14, 2018 5:00 PM ET

Social Impact & Volunteering

Astellas Employees Prepare Meals for Safe House Residents

Feb 14, 2018 4:40 PM ET

Energy

50x50 Commission Lays Out Challenges, Opportunities In Reducing Transportation Energy Use

Feb 14, 2018 4:30 PM ET

The 50x50 Commission, launched in October 2017, is chaired by Audi of America President Scott Keogh and National Grid U.S. President Dean Seavers, and includes Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto (D) and Fort Worth, Texas, Mayor Betsy Price (R), along with leaders representing vehicle manufacturers, utilities, federal agencies, environmental and consumer groups, infrastructure providers and public transit. It is holding its next meeting in Washington, D.C., in March, and the Commission’s final report, a roadmap to cut energy use in half in the U.S. transportation sector by 2050 while meeting future mobility needs through federal, state and local policies, is due in September.

Environment

“Catch Colt Draws a Coffin Cart”: Remembering John Perry Barlow

Feb 14, 2018 2:00 PM ET

John Perry Barlow, Grateful Dead lyricist, co-founder of the Electronic Frontier Foundation and environmentalist, died in his sleep this past week at the age of 70 after a lengthy illness. Host Alex Wise had the honor of meeting and interviewing Mr. Barlow for Sea Change Radio a couple of times and this week we pay tribute to him by re-visiting those discussions.

Environment

JetBlue and The New York Botanical Garden Start an Environmental Consortium Focusing on Conservation in the Caribbean

Feb 14, 2018 1:00 PM ET

JetBlue, New York's Hometown Airline®, today announced the development of a Caribbean consortium with The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG). Aligned with other like-minded partners across multiple disciplines, this effort will address conservation and commerce in the Caribbean. The Consortium will start with a “Spotlight on Cuba” and will focus on other Caribbean destinations in the future. In 2016, JetBlue became the first U.S. airline to bring affordable and convenient commercial air travel to Cuba after more than 50 years.

During year one, this group will make recommendations on development and environmental issues, to help ensure that Cuba’s natural habitat is protected for future generations.

Events, Media & Communications

Video: How to ‘Go Big’ With Your Employee Volunteer Program

Feb 14, 2018 1:00 PM ET

On Jan. 30, 2018, VolunteerMatch’s Director of Growth and Relationships, Alvaro Tijero, offered insight into: How to balance corporate priorities and employee passions without sacrificing results, challenges other companies face and strategies for overcoming them, and how to ensure your employee volunteer program has tangible, positive effects on the communities it serves. Missed the webinar? Watch the video!

Innovation & Technology

Annual Ideagen Global Innovation 2030 Summit

Feb 14, 2018 12:30 PM ET

Ideagen together with the world’s leading companies, NGOs, and public sector organizations assembled at the Microsoft Reactor in San Francisco for the Annual Ideagen Global Innovation 2030 Summit. A new model of impact was unveiled, "Catalytic Impact" to achieve systemic scale as we solve for "x", addressing the world's most vexing issues.

Energy

Pipeline Fever Grips Alberta Town as New Project Draws Hundreds of Workers

Feb 14, 2018 11:15 AM ET

The good times are back for Sundre, Alta., at least for a while

Local businesses in Sundre discuss the recent economic boost the town is welcoming as a result of the construction of TransCanada's Sundre Crossover Project.

Events, Media & Communications

Exploring the Potential for Blockchain in Renewable Energy Markets Webinar

Feb 14, 2018 11:00 AM ET

Blockchain is an emerging and transformative technical standard for distributed ledgers, which has the potential to streamline transactions. Join us to learn about how blockchain can interact with new and existing renewable energy markets.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Set the Agenda for the Future: Join GRI's Corporate Leadership Groups

Feb 14, 2018 11:00 AM ET

GRI's two new Corporate Leadership Groups are looking for dedicated members. If you're an expert on conflict minerals or human rights and modern slavery, GRI invites you to join these expert groups to shape the future of sustainability reporting.

Health & Healthcare

A (Healthy) Shot Through the Heart!

Feb 14, 2018 10:50 AM ET

I wouldn’t call myself a HUGE Bon Jovi fan, but when thinking about February, a.k.a. heart health month, and public opinion, all that comes to mind is “You give FATS a bad name!” I am a child from the 1980’s and love some good Rock n’ Roll. I also grew up on the idea that fat in food was bad. The food industry used this trend to start producing many low fat or fat free products and replaced the fat with sugar or carbohydrates. Unfortunately, I think this perception continues to invade the minds of those outside health-related or nutrition fields.

Responsible Production & Consumption

ASEAN Is Rising to the Climate Change Challenge Facing Agriculture and Forestry

Feb 14, 2018 10:35 AM ET

At a meeting in Lombok, Indonesia, representatives of ASEAN working groups agreed to strengthen their collaboration to reduce risks and maximize security in the food, agriculture and forestry sectors.