ESG News from Leading Brands

Diversity & Inclusion

Major League Baseball Players Bring “Baseball Diplomacy” to Nicaragua

Jan 26, 2018 5:30 PM ET

Through the Major League Baseball Players Association’s collective charity, the Players Trust, players have become increasingly active as ambassadors of baseball around the world.

Media & Communications

The Outdoor Industry Association Debuts Film Showcasing How an Entire Industry is Leading with Purpose

Jan 26, 2018 4:00 PM ET

The outdoor industry has made huge strides to promote and protect the lands we love and play in. From REI’s evolved #OptOutside campaign, North Face’s climate beneficial beanie and Patagonia’s bold response to the reduction of Bears Ears National Monument, outdoor retailers engaged consumers around a passion for nature and the goal of preserving the places we cherish. Now, one organization is creating a united voice from outdoor retailers showcasing how the industry is leading with Purpose- helping consumers better understand and connect with these brands and their efforts.

Education

CMT and Country Star Courtney Cole Reveal Dates for Statewide “Empowering Education” Tour in Louisiana

Jan 26, 2018 2:55 PM ET

CMT and Louisiana’s own country star Courtney Cole will soon rule the road in the first-ever statewide “Empowering Education” tour. CMT revealed dates for a series of eight free concerts today via Facebook, which officially kick off March 5 in Bossier City, La. The “CMT Empowering Education Tour of Louisiana” is hosted in partnership with local education and nonprofit groups Louisiana Community and Technical Colleges System (LCTCS) and Louisiana Calling. The tour was first announced last fall, and is part of a larger initiative that seeks to bring awareness to educational opportunities and increase the number of work-ready residents in the state.

Diversity & Inclusion

Want An Innovative Business? Start With Gender Equality.

Jan 26, 2018 12:15 PM ET

"If you don’t have diverse talent within your organization, or if women aren’t playing a key role in driving innovation, you will not keep up with the external pressures and demands of an increasingly diverse and dynamic customer base,” says Nate Hurst, Chief Sustainability and Social Impact Officer at HP.

Events, Media & Communications

Citi Community Development Announces $2.6 Million Investment in Collaboration with 12 Municipalities and Regions, to Support Free Tax Preparation Services

Jan 26, 2018 11:00 AM ET

Citi Community Development announced today a $2.6 million investment to support free tax preparation services for eligible workers in major cities and regions across the country. Launched on National Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day, the investment will support municipal efforts to expand awareness, access and capacity of Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites during the 2018 tax season. Citi Community Development’s investment aims to help local organizations complete over 230,000 tax returns, resulting in approximately $191 million in tax refunds during the 2018 tax season. Citi also announced that volunteers from the bank will serve as tax preparers in VITA sites across the New York City region.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

The Venetian, the Palazzo & Sands Expo Sustainable Efforts Recognized Amongst ‘Stella Award’ Wins

Jan 26, 2018 10:40 AM ET

The Venetian, The Palazzo, and Sands Expo won six “Stella Awards” for 2017 including the top honor of “Best Hotel/Resort” overall in the Far West region. As we remain committed to our planet to pursue a sustainable lifestyle at all of our properties, outstanding efforts in Green Meetings were also recognized with the “Best Green Initiative” award.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

2018 AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prizes Longlist Announced

Jan 26, 2018 10:35 AM ET

AAAS and Subaru of America, Inc. are proud to announce the books that were selected for the longlist of the 2018 AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prizes for Excellence in Science Books. The Prizes celebrate outstanding science writing and illustration for children and young adults and are meant to encourage the writing and publishing of high-quality science books for all ages.

Environment

Carnival Corporation Orders Second New Ship for its P&O Cruises Brand

Jan 26, 2018 10:30 AM ET

Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), the world's largest leisure travel company, announced it has signed a shipbuilding contract for a second next-generation cruise ship for its P&O Cruises brand with leading German shipbuilder Meyer Werft GmbH that is scheduled to be delivered in 2022.

Environment

Nepal Makes Progress Towards a National Agroforestry Policy

Jan 26, 2018 10:10 AM ET

The World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) is assisting with the development of a national agroforestry policy for Nepal along with the Climate Technology Centre and Network. In November 2017, an inter-ministerial coordination committee, of which ICRAF is a facilitating member, organized a series of consultations on how the policy could tackle barriers restricting widespread adoption of agroforestry.

Environment

2018: A Year of Living Anxiously

Jan 26, 2018 10:00 AM ET

2018, like most years, has begun with statements both hopeful and optimistic about what the new year may bring. And there are many positive developments in global sustainability to acknowledge, including the on-going implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement by many nations; increasing collaboration among business, non-government organizations and other institutions on renewable energy, food waste and other issues; the expanding human rights agenda; women’s empowerment; and accelerating investor interest in sustainability. So far…so good.

Research, Reports & Publications

Cisco Accelerates Global Problem Solving in 2017

Jan 26, 2018 9:55 AM ET

Our world is more connected than ever before, and these connections are increasing. Research predicts that 500 billion devices will be connected to the Internet by 2030. Explosive growth and innovations, including augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things (IoT) are also transforming our global landscape in unprecedented ways.

Education

USC Shoah Foundation and Discovery Education Announce Powerful Opportunity for Students and Educators to Inspire Communities Nationwide

Jan 26, 2018 9:30 AM ET

Sustainable Development Goals

Businesses to Step up With Poverty Alleviation

Jan 26, 2018 9:30 AM ET

A new discussion paper by GRI seeks to provide practical assistance to organizations to contribute to SDG 1, poverty alleviation. This infographic shows 4 main areas where businesses can help through their activities and partnerships.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure™ Platform wins “The Most Efficient Ship Solution” Award at International Green Shipping & Maritime Technology Summit

Jan 26, 2018 9:10 AM ET

Schneider Electric, the leader in digital transformation of energy management and automation, has won “The most efficient ship solution” Award at International Green Shipping & Maritime Technology Summit held November 28-29, 2017 in Athens, Greece.

Diversity & Inclusion

Female Founders Forum: Chef and Entrepreneur Lisa Tse Speaks About the Challenges of Starting Your Own Business

Jan 26, 2018 9:05 AM ET

In the same week that the UK Government appointed its first ‘Minister for Loneliness’, we sat down with acclaimed chef and entrepreneur Lisa Tse, who spoke to us about the challenges of isolation and loneliness that often come with the early stages of starting a business.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

KeyBank Provides $16.6 Million in Total Financing for New Affordable Housing in Pittsburgh

Jan 26, 2018 9:00 AM ET

KeyBank Community Development Lending & Investment (CDLI) has provided $16.6 million in total financing for Allegheny Dwellings Phase I. The first of three phases, Allegheny Dwellings Phase I involves replacing existing public housing with 65 new mixed income units in Pittsburgh’s Fineview neighborhood. The Project will be developed by TREK Development Group, in partnership with the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh.

Sustainable Development Goals

The Agricultural Models We Want Tomorrow

Jan 26, 2018 8:40 AM ET

Food loss in the supply chain, the shift to a less-nutritious fast-food diet and wasteful irrigation techniques are among the most important challenges currently facing the food and agriculture system in the region. In Egypt, 2.5 million tonnes of wheat is lost per year mainly due to slow transit times. For fruits and vegetables, which have the highest proportion of losses and waste, estimated at 45 percent, country specific data indicates a substantial part (as high as 29 percent for fresh vegetables in Egypt) of these losses occur at the post-harvest stage. However, these losses between the grower and consumer along the value chain can be avoided.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

A Year After CEO’s Death, North Texas Food Bank Donors Exceed Her $55 Million Goal

Jan 26, 2018 8:35 AM ET

Plano-based Alliance Data was approached by the North Texas Food Bank three years ago to offer support to their not-yet-announced capital campaign to expand its services and build a new distribution center. The company committed $2.5 million to the campaign, specifically for the center, which will allow the agency to focus not just on food, but on nutritious food from a facility in the heart of Plano, home of Alliance Data's corporate headquarters.

Education

Smithfield Foundation Awards Scholarship to Iowa State University Senior

Jan 26, 2018 8:30 AM ET

Health & Healthcare

New Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy Launches to Accelerate Progress Toward a World Without Leprosy

Jan 26, 2018 8:30 AM ET

Ahead of World Leprosy Day on Sunday 28 January 2018, several leading leprosy groups have joined forces to launch a Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy to accelerate progress towards a world without leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

eBay Everyday Heroes VIDEO: Making a Difference

Jan 26, 2018 8:05 AM ET

Whether by selling goods to run a local food pantry or helping someone halfway across the country after a natural disaster, the eBay community is making a difference.

Sustainable Development Goals

How a Project Helping Mothers in India Could Help Save the World

Jan 26, 2018 7:45 AM ET

It has been inspiring to see the international community embrace the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Even more encouraging are the growing recognition of the critical role the private sector has to play, and the push for meaningful public-private partnerships (PPPs), in order to reach these goals.

Environment

Cerro Verde, a Freeport-McMoRan Company, Featured in Mining With Principles Campaign for Water Treatment Program

Jan 26, 2018 7:20 AM ET

Cerro Verde is located in an arid region of southwestern Peru, close to the city of Arequipa. Population growth, industrialization, and sewage contamination of the river Chili were increasing pressures on an already limited water supply. Recognizing this, Freeport-McMoRan worked with local stakeholders to co-finance a water treatment plant that takes contaminated water from the local river and makes it drinkable.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Gildan Glow Run Lights Up the Night for Communities in Latin America

Jan 26, 2018 7:00 AM ET

The brightest night in the city once again raised a total of more than $100,000 for communities in Honduras, Nicaragua and Dominican Republic. The Glow Run, a 5k run and fundraising event, united more than 12,000 Gildan employees and their families at the end of 2017 to celebrate a night of physical activity and entertainment in support of their communities.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

K-O-H-L-E-R Spells Success for Special Needs Family

Jan 25, 2018 5:15 PM ET

Adam Augustine makes a beeline through the Kohler Design Center to his favorite display where he delights in pressing each button to turn on the showerheads. It's not surprising that kids—and people of all ages actually—get a kick out of this hands-on interaction. However, it was unexpected that a KOHLER® product would help open a door to communication for this young boy.