ESG News from Leading Brands

Keep up with the latest environmental, social and governance news from companies embracing the triple bottom line, shared via 3BL's distribution platform.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Growing Beyond Europe, Korona Candles Lights Up U.S.

Today, a new chapter is being written in Dublin, Virginia, at the company’s first production facility in the States. Back in Poland, the company started the manual production of candles with a team of about 20 workers and several basic machines. It was very labor intensive, Agnieszka Fafara, the company’s president and CEO, explained. Ignited by the desire to manufacture top-quality candles, the company invested in automation and attracted more skilled employees in the process. Korona experienced tremendous growth in its hometown, building up to 900 employees.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Creating Employee Experience through Technology is Crucial Amidst Rising Prime Office Occupancy Costs, According to CBRE

Amidst rising occupancy costs, companies are tasked with creating a user experience, in part through technology, that makes employees more efficient and effective, and that makes the office the preferred place to work, according to CBRE Research’s latest Global Prime Office Occupancy Costs report.

Diversity & Inclusion

Lessons for Funders Supporting LGBTQ Communities

FSG’s Efrain Gutierrez recently presented in front of more than 200 grantmakers committed to LGBTQ issues in Seattle, WA, as a part of the Pacific Northwest Plenary for Funding Forward 2017, a conference organized by Funders for LGBTQ Issues (FSG is a proud member). While the session focused on supporting LGBTQ communities in the Pacific Northwest, funders in the U.S. and abroad can apply the lessons from our discussion to support LGBTQ communities more intentionally.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Going All In for the Bees in France

While we’ve had a long-standing connection to the Xerces Society in the U.S., the General Mills partnership with the French Observatory of Apidology (OFA) in Southern France has taken flight over the last couple years, with more than $200,000 in grants to the organization to help it make an impact across Europe.

Sustainable Development Goals

The Circular Economy and a Low-Carbon Future

All the latest World Business Council on Sustainable Development news for June 2017.

Environment

Florida County Successfully Tests Direct Potable Reuse

In July 2016, Xylem collaborated with Tetra Tech, the WateReuse Association, and GE to design, build, and operate a pilot purification process for direct potable reuse. The process would treat reclaimed effluent wastewater to comply with the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) drinking water standards.

Environment

Barclays Infographic | Utilities: Turned On or Tapped Out?

This new infographic highlights technologies & practices that could save costs, preserve infrastructure & conserve energy to ensure that clean water will be available when we need it.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

The 2017 Most Responsible Companies Ranked by Industry Sector – Energy

CR Magazine has put together its annual set of the “2017 Most Responsible Companies Ranked by Industry Sector” list. This list serves to help readers establish that their supply chain is comprised of the most responsible, sustainable, and transparent companies—creating shared value when strategic opportunities arise.

Education

Refugee Students Get Scholarships from Las Vegas Charity

Seven South Sudanese teenagers whose families live in a Kenyan refugee camp, will now receive a high school education because of scholarships awarded by the South Sudan Center of America (SSCA), a local Las Vegas charity. SSCA was founded by Biar Atem, a Sands Cares Hero of the Year and Team Member at The Venetian and The Palazzo who was a South Sudanese “lost boy.” He was also named by Fortune magazine as one of the top 50 “Heroes of the 500.” The center seeks to assist and educate South Sudanese refugees living in the United States and abroad.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

JetBlue's Technical Operations Team Builds Bikes for Kids in Foster Care

Last month, JetBlue honored the memory of Charles E. Taylor, the father of aviation maintenance, with celebrations at its 11 maintenance facilities and New York City Support Center. In the second annual JetBlue For Good Bike Build, JetBlue’s Technical Operations and Corporate Social Responsibility teams partnered to build 275 bikes that were donated to children in the foster care system. JetBlue crewmembers are aiming to build and donate 500 bikes next year.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

How to Start Your Career in Corporate Social Responsibility

As Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at Viacom’s BET Networks, Nneka Norville has the kind of job many people dream of. Every day she works to make a difference while building BET’s brand. It’s a job that involves strategy, creativity, interpersonal skills and generosity.

Research, Reports & Publications

Royal Mail Group Publishes Its 2016-17 Corporate Responsibility Report

Royal Mail’s vision is to be recognised as the best delivery company in the UK and across Europe. Against a backdrop of significant change, innovation and diversification, Royal Mail has continued to put the principles of corporate responsibility at the heart of its business strategy. Royal Mail believes that this holds the key to building sustainable value for its shareholders.

Environment

TD Bank Group Supports Vancouver's Greenest City Action Plan

In 2016, TD Bank Group collaborated with Bullfrog Power on a first-of-its kind renewable energy initiative to address 100% of its energy footprint for TD branches in Vancouver, as well as a portion of its business-related travel in the city.

The collaboration between TD and Bullfrog Power will help to achieve some of these goals, and provide a necessary model for how businesses can address 100 per cent of their energy footprint in support of a low-carbon economy.

Responsible Production & Consumption

The Growth of Green Product Certification in China

Much has been written about three trends that are important in answering this question – growing affluence in China, the power of e-commerce, and the export of Chinese goods to the rest of the world. These trends, in turn, are creating a greater demand for truth in labeling, and driving the growth of third-party verification and validation. This article steps back to take stock of where we are, and where we are headed.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Sustainability and Profitability

While many companies jump to the conclusion that environmental stewardship and bottom-line profitability are mutually exclusive of each other, Bechtel has always embraced the concept of sustainability and continues to advance it through innovation in the company.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Ten Authentic Leadership Practices

David MacLennan, Chairman and CEO of Cargill, shares his perspective on authentic leadership with Kevin Cashman for Forbes.

Sustainable Development Goals

Q&A with Fiorenza Micheli: Monitoring Human Rights in the Seafood Sector

Fiorenza Micheli, a professor of biology at Stanford and a co-author of the paper, discusses why addressing human rights in fisheries is such a critical issue, and how the group hopes to move forward.

Green Infrastructure

Keep Phoenix Beautiful Launches Crowd Fundraiser for New Community Garden

A new garden is coming to life in Phoenix! Keep Phoenix Beautiful is launching a crowdsourcing campaign to raise $25,000 for their new Keep Phoenix Beautiful Community Garden. Funds raised will be matched dollar-for-dollar by Keep America Beautiful and Lowe’s, up to $25,000, bringing the potential total amount to invest in sustainable practices here in Central Phoenix and nationwide to $50,000. Donate now through Aug. 31st at http://bit.ly/helpkpbgrow.

Social Impact & Volunteering

New Program Helps Families on Tight Budgets Afford Healthy Foods

“We at Safeway and Albertsons believe that healthy eating creates healthy communities. We are committed to supporting Complete Eats, and doing our part to provide our customers fresh and affordable fruits and vegetables,” said Karl Schroeder, president of the Seattle division of Safeway and Albertsons.

Diversity & Inclusion

A Manager, Rugby coach - and Feminist

If you have been watching Bloomberg TV recently, you may have noticed more women appearing on the network. Mr Grant Coombe was instrumental in effecting that change. In six months, the 43-year-old sales manager of Bloomberg LP Singapore increased women's presence by 97 per cent in a Women's Voices movement. The head of Bloomberg's global and Asia-Pacific key accounts is an advocate for the media to represent a diversity of voices.

Diversity & Inclusion

5 Ways Finances Influence Same-Sex Marriages

Marriage equality is now a reality for same-sex couples, and along with that comes most of the marriage protections offered by federal and state laws. For some, the opportunity to marry may have come later in life, perhaps after one or both individuals have amassed personal wealth. As a result, many gay and lesbian couples may find themselves weighing the economics of marriage more carefully than many other couples do.

Environment

Top 5 Takeaways from the 2017 ILTA Conference

Antea Group had its finger on the pulse of the recent ILTA conference and came away with 5 key takeaways for your benefit.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Recruitment and Retention for Tomorrow’s Workforce

In today’s war for talent, organizations and leaders are looking for strategies to attract individuals who will thrive in a senior care environment. The key word is strategy, which requires a plan of action. Incorporating a strong workforce planning process is an essential component of the overall business strategy.

Environment

Survey Finds Majority of World’s Leading Companies Will Maintain Climate Investments and Strategies, Despite Changing Policies in Washington

A survey distributed in June by CECP: The CEO Force for Good to the largest global companies asked how corporate environmental strategy stacks up against current Federal and global agreements and regulations. Two-thirds of respondents indicated that their company already goes “beyond what’s required” and is committed to that path.

Events, Media & Communications

CECP Announces Second CEO Investor Forum As Movement to Encourage Corporate Long-Term Planning, Disclosure, and Governance Gains Momentum

CECP, a coalition of more than 200 of the world’s largest companies, announced that its Strategic Investor Initiative (SII) will host the second CEO Investor Forum (CIF) on September 19th, 2017, at the Bloomberg LP HQ. This invitation-only event will feature leading CEOs presenting their company’s long-term strategic plans—including operational and financial outlooks ranging three to five years or more--to an audience of 200 long-term-oriented institutional investors and pension funds, collectively representing $25 trillion in AUM. CEOs confirmed to date include: Mark Bertolini, CEO of Aetna; Michael P. Gregoire, CEO of CA Technologies; Kevin Clark, President and CEO, Delphi; Johan Dennelind, President and CEO of Telia; and Rodney O. "Rod" Martin, Chairman and CEO of Voya Financial.

Latest Campaigns

  1. GoDaddy | Microbusiness
    They're the people who build websites, run restaurants, and offer classes online. But their impact has gone largely unnoticed. Our mission is to...
  2. Tapestry I The Power of Our People
    We aim to foster a culture of purpose and fulfillment at Tapestry by embedding equity, inclusion and diversity throughout our organization, and...
  3. License to Operate
    Corporate governance, risk management, operational integrity, and regulatory compliance are demanding challenges that companies face in today’s ever...
  4. Goals That Inspire: Positive Social Impact
    Through our Goals That Inspire we strive to make a positive difference in our communities by relying on our ability to understand their needs and then...
  5. Purpose 360 Podcast
    Purpose 360 Podcast is a masterclass in unlocking the potential of social purpose to ignite business and social impact. Hosted by Carol Cone, CEO of...
  6. Strengthen Communities
    We are working to strengthen our communities by investing and honoring our veterans, being the first on the scene with disaster relief, and helping...
  7. GoDaddy | Customers
    GoDaddy is the world’s largest services platform for entrepreneurs around the globe. We’re on a mission to empower our worldwide community of 20+...
  8. Accelerating access to healthcare technology
    We believe technology can help close the world’s health gaps. By putting people first, we find new ways to advance health while reducing costs. And...
  9. Fifth Third Day
    Fifth Third Bank has recognized 5/3 on the calendar as Fifth Third Day since 1991, and since 2012 the Bank and its employees have worked toward a...
  10. Fifth Third Day
    Fifth Third Bank has recognized 5/3 on the calendar as Fifth Third Day since 1991, and since 2012 the Bank and its employees have worked toward a...
  11. CARE News & Stories
    CARE News & Stories is where to find out what's happening around the world through vibrant, engaging stories that put humanity at the center. 👉 https...
  12. Seamless Connections
    We end supply chain disruption by reducing friction in every part of the journey to create certainty and security for all. We ensure quick...
  13. State Policy
    It is imperative that states maintain and expand policies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting clean energy solutions. Strong...
  14. Housing affordability
    We drive solutions to enable people to open doors to a safe and affordable place to call home, the foundation for wellness, dignity, and economic...
  15. KeyBank's Community Investment
    In states where Key has a presence, there are approximately 1.7 million low- to moderate-income (LMI) households. Many LMI individuals don’t have bank...