ESG News from Leading Brands

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

GM Named to CDP Supplier Water A List

Feb 2, 2018 9:30 AM ET

Water management is core to making GM’s global operations more efficient. It includes working towards the goal of reducing water intensity by 15 percent by 2020, from a 2010 baseline. It also includes improving supply chain engagement in water use globally. In the recent study by CDP, the non-profit global environmental disclosure platform, GM was awarded a position on the Supplier Water A List, in recognition of its actions to address environmental issues.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Subaru Named One of the Best Places to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality by the Human Rights Campaign

Feb 2, 2018 9:25 AM ET

Every year, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) creates a list of the best places to work based on criteria surrounding LGBTQ+ inclusion and equality. For 2018, Subaru was given the title of being one of the Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Response to WSJ’s “Stocks Weren’t Made for Social Climbing”

Feb 2, 2018 9:15 AM ET

Andy Kessler made some interesting points in his piece, “Stocks Weren’t Made for Social Climbing." Chiefly, we at CECP: The CEO Force for Good, agree with his emphasis on the importance of profits. The issue is how you get there and how to create sustainable value, not just short-term gains. When he suggests that to invest in socially motivated companies, one is passing up gains, he proceeds from a false dichotomy. Properly realized, the value proposition of a corporation—its outputs, its employee and community relations, its returns, and, yes, its philanthropy—are not linear; they are circular.

Environment

NFL, PepsiCo and U.S. Bank Stadium Partners Including Aramark, SMG and The Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority Team up to Score First Zero Waste Legacy Project at Super Bowl LII

Feb 2, 2018 8:30 AM ET

The NFL, in partnership with PepsiCo, Aramark, U.S. Bank Stadium and the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority, announced Rush2Recycle, a game plan to recover more than 90% - more than 40 tons - of stadium waste at Super Bowl LII on Sunday, Feb. 4. After months of preparation to eradicate trash materials from the stadium, the 90%+ gameday goal will maximize recycling and composting. This zero waste effort aims to leave a positive green legacy at U.S. Bank Stadium and in the Super Bowl host city, and create a playbook for other leagues, teams, site operators and fans to intercept waste in their communities.

Environment

Schneider Electric Forms Green Partnership With Logistics Company

Feb 2, 2018 8:20 AM ET

Schneider Electric has signed a new contract with Bolloré Logistics, an international logistics, and freight forwarding company. The contract will see energy management and automation company Schneider Electric assist in the upgrade of the power management systems at Bolloré Logistics Singapore headquarters.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

SodexoMyWay Wins Celebrated Award for Digital Communication

Feb 2, 2018 8:10 AM ET

Sodexo, a food services and facilities management company, announced today that it has been recognized as an AVA Digital Award winner, sponsored and judged by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP), for Florida State University’s SodexoMyWay Dining Website. The website was one of 2,500 entries submitted throughout the world and was chosen as a 2018 Gold Winner for its outstanding achievement in digital communication.

Health & Healthcare

CocoaVia Brand Honors Health Equality Advocate at Woman's Day Red Dress Awards

Feb 2, 2018 8:00 AM ET

Mars Symbioscience announced today that its CocoaVia® brand will be the lead sponsor of the 15th Annual Woman’s Day Red Dress Awards for the third year in a row. The event, hosted on February 6, 2018 at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City, recognizes doctors, researchers, and advocates who are making a positive impact in the fight against heart disease, still the leading cause of death in women.

Research, Reports & Publications

Caterpillar Invests in FIRST Robotics and Future Workplace

Feb 2, 2018 8:00 AM ET

With the United States significantly behind in producing a qualified science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) workforce, Caterpillar is dedicated to building a global engineering talent pipeline critical not only to our continued global growth and competitiveness, but also to the success of our communities.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Two-Time Cancer Survivor, Maressa Williams Joins iCause Advisory Board

Feb 2, 2018 8:00 AM ET

iCause joins forces with two-time cancer survivor, philanthropist, and daughter of Montel Williams, Maressa Williams. Maressa and her father were featured on the Dr. OZ show in 2013, discussing how her battle with cancer sparked her passion to help others.

Research, Reports & Publications

CEO of Ørsted Calls for Action on Global Climate Crisis

Feb 2, 2018 4:00 AM ET

Over the past decade, the Danish-based energy company has achieved 82% coal reduction, 67% carbon reduction and 64% renewable energy in their power and heat generation. CEO of Ørsted, Henrik Poulsen, has a clear vision.

Health & Healthcare

Partnering with AMP Health to Increase Access to Healthcare in Africa

Feb 1, 2018 5:20 PM ET

We’re proud to share that we have joined the Aspen Management Partnership for Health (AMP Health) and its network of partners to help strengthen community health systems in Africa by increasing access to quality healthcare. With our support, AMP Health will be able to scale its existing programs in Malawi, Kenya, and Sierra Leone by building the capacity and leadership necessary to set in place critical systems of thousands of community health workers. Pfizer’s previous grant contributions will also be matched this year by the USAID private sector matching funds program, which will allow AMP Health to extend its efforts to additional African nations, including Ghana and Zambia.

Diversity & Inclusion

Wells Fargo Releases Pay Equity Study Results

Feb 1, 2018 3:30 PM ET

Wells Fargo released the results of its most recent pay equity study, which was conducted by a third-party consultant, to highlight the company’s ongoing commitment to equitable pay for its team members.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

AIDA Donates 10,000 Euros to “Orang-Utans in Not” Association

Feb 1, 2018 3:00 PM ET

On AIDAprima's cruise around the Canaries and Madeira, a very special guest was on board for the daily talkshow aboard: Julia Cissewski (45), who works with the Max Planck Institute in the area of evolutionary anthropology, and is the chairwoman of the charitable organization "Orang-Utans in Not e.V." (orangutans in need). She was presented with a check from AIDA for 10,000 euros by Captain Detlef Harms. AIDA was honoring the current award winner who was recognized last year for her voluntary commitment and civil courage by Europe's biggest women's magazine at a gala aboard AIDAprima.

Diversity & Inclusion

Viacom Launches Campaign Backing #SeeHer Initiative

Feb 1, 2018 2:15 PM ET

Viacom on Thursday launches a year-long series of public service announcements supporting the Association of National Advertisers’ #SeeHer initiative, which aims to show a positive portrayal of women in media.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Changes to the Brazilian Labor Code (“Consolidação das Leis do Trabalho” or “CLT”)

Feb 1, 2018 2:10 PM ET

The last EHSxTECH® meeting highlighted changes to the Brazilian Labor Code that have specific health and safety requirements for home workers, effective November 2017.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Timberland and Smallholder Farmers Alliance Celebrate Haiti’s First Cotton Harvest in 30 Years

Feb 1, 2018 1:30 PM ET

Last week, smallholder farmers convened in a field on the outskirts of Gonaives, Haiti to harvest cotton for the first time in 30 years. Once Haiti’s fourth largest export crop, cotton growing stopped in the 1980s due to policies and politics of the time. Now outdoor lifestyle brand Timberland, in partnership with the Smallholders Farmers Alliance (SFA) and other companies, aims to bring cotton back as phase two of its ongoing work to help reforest Haiti and benefit smallholder farmers.

Events, Media & Communications

Announcing: DJSI - How Insights Inspire Action

Feb 1, 2018 1:15 PM ET

The aim of this workshop is to increase the participants’ knowledge about the importance of and methodology behind the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) and the RobecoSAM Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA).

Education

PNC Teams Up with Google on New IT Support Professional Certificate

Feb 1, 2018 12:30 PM ET

Google and online learning giant Coursera on Tuesday unveiled a new certificate program to train Americans, including those without college degrees, for entry-level IT jobs.

Energy

Duke Energy Delivered Sunshiny Days in North Carolina in 2017

Feb 1, 2018 12:00 PM ET

Social Impact & Volunteering

FCA Brings Passion to Our Work and to Our Community

Feb 1, 2018 11:20 AM ET

FCA embraces our responsibility to contribute constructively to the greater community. To support our belief that we can be an agent of positive change, FCA promotes a varied range of initiatives: activities to support community development, education, the environment, basic social needs, and victims of natural disasters.

Green Infrastructure

How Whirlpool Uses Local Data to Spin up Global Cleanup Plans

Feb 1, 2018 11:10 AM ET

By employing tactics to keep tabs on energy usage, water consumption and waste at manufacturing sites, Whirlpool Corporation has empowered its sustainability team to scale its impact globally and potentially save the company at least $1 million over the next two years.

Sustainable Development Goals

The Role of Corporate Transparency in a Fractured World

Feb 1, 2018 11:00 AM ET

In this new blog series, the Chief Executive of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) reflects upon his experiences at the Davos Annual Meeting, its connection to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and developing ESG disclosure in order to create a shared narrative between companies and investors.

Environment

Gauging the Workability of Carbon Credits in Morocco: A Q&A with Erb Institute | Business for Sustainability Alum Dannan Hodge

Feb 1, 2018 11:00 AM ET

The High Atlas Foundation (HAF) works to improve livelihoods and spur economic growth and grassroots development in disadvantaged communities in Morocco. HAF brought in Erb alum Dannan Hodge to help with the organization’s potential carbon credit projects. Hodge’s three-week project was funded by the Land O’Lakes Farmer to Farmer initiative, organized through the International Executive Service Corp.

Education

NMSU and Sodexo Team up to Bolster Hospitality Services on Campus

Feb 1, 2018 10:45 AM ET

The quality of life for the New Mexico State University (NMSU) campus community just got better. NMSU Auxiliary Services and Sodexo, our food services and facilities management service provider, announced a new initiative today that will offer hospitality services for students, faculty and staff, including an onsite concierge team, a 24-hour call center, enhanced student living and meeting and conference planning assistance.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

CITGO Lemont Provides Food, Coats and Toys to Local Families During Holidays

Feb 1, 2018 10:35 AM ET

During the recent holiday season and extreme winter weather, the CITGO Lemont Refinery generously supported employee-led initiatives to provide food, clothing and toys to local families. Refinery employees lead an annual food drive prior to Thanksgiving to help local organizations fill their shelves before the holidays. This year, employees donated approximately 40 grocery bags and 30 large bins of food and delivered them to six area food pantries including, Bethany Food Pantry, Day Break Shelter, DuPage Township Pantry, Fairmont Food Pantry and Romeoville Community Pantry.