ESG News from Leading Brands

Energy

Unreasonable Impact | Harnessing the Sun to Help End Poverty: Q&A with Off Grid Electric

Jun 22, 2017 8:45 AM ET

Off Grid Electric is the world’s first distributed clean energy utility, providing affordable, solar energy to households that struggle with spotty or nonexistent grid access. They sell solar energy systems on a pay-as-you-go, lease-to-own model – costing some homes as little as $7 a month. That way, customers don’t have to worry about making a daunting financial investment upfront.

Diversity & Inclusion

Inspiring Milestone at Cerro Negro

Jun 22, 2017 8:00 AM ET

This month marks a landmark event for Cerro Negro, the Argentine mining industry and specifically one individual; Yanina Colman. With the completion of her underground operator training program she not only represents the first female operator at the Mariana Norte mine and the Cerro Negro complex but is also a trailblazer within Argentina as the only known female underground miner. We sat down with her to learn more about her journey and what drove her towards becoming a miner.

Research, Reports & Publications

Danish Energy Company Reduces Emissions Faster Than Science Demands

Jun 22, 2017 5:00 AM ET

DONG Energy announces that its target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 96% by 2023 is now officially approved by the Science Based Target initiative as aligned with climate science.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Camden Habitat for Humanity and Subaru Build a Brighter Future in Camden, NJ

Jun 21, 2017 6:05 PM ET

CAMDEN, NJ, June 21, 2017 /3BL Media/ - Camden County Habitat for Humanity and Subaru of America, Inc. volunteers recently raised the walls on a new house on Royden Street, in Camden, New Jersey. Tom Doll, president and chief operating officer, Subaru of America, Inc. and 12 Subaru volunteers joined Camden County Habitat for Humanity, on June 16, to begin building a new home and a bright future for The Martinez Family, Jessica, her six-year-old son Ethan and baby girl arriving in September. Jessica is a single parent, who works a full-time job and goes to school. She is looking forward to having a place for her kids to call home. A place where Ethan can share his love of sports with his new sister.

Environment

Boeing's 2017 Environment Report: 2016 Goals at a Glance

Jun 21, 2017 5:45 PM ET

Boeing’s commitment to global environmental leadership is focused on key goals and targets which reflect the three tenets of our environmental strategy.

Environment

Michael Bloomberg Praises China, Pans Trump On Climate Change

Jun 21, 2017 5:40 PM ET

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Ecolab Recognized as One of the 50 Most Community-Minded Companies in the United States

Jun 21, 2017 4:00 PM ET

Ecolab Inc. was recognized by Points of Light, the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service, as one of the most community-minded companies in the U.S. The 2017 Civic 50 list, announced June 20, recognizes companies that use their time, skills and other resources to improve the quality of life in the communities where they operate.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Points of Light Names Comcast NBCUniversal One of America's Most Community-Minded Companies

Jun 21, 2017 3:55 PM ET

For the fourth consecutive year, Comcast NBCUniversal has been named to “The Civic 50,” which recognizes the most community-minded companies in the nation, by Points of Light, the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

MGM Resorts International Named to The Civic 50 List as One of the Most Community-Minded Companies in the Country by Points of Light

Jun 21, 2017 3:00 PM ET

MGM Resorts International was named to The Civic 50 list of America's most community-minded companies by Points of Light, the largest organization in the world dedicated to volunteer service. The company was recognized as a result of its participation in an annual survey used to identify companies for their exemplary commitment and activities to improve the quality of life in the communities where they do business.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

UPS Recognized As Top Community-Minded Company On 2017 Civic 50 List

Jun 21, 2017 2:00 PM ET

UPS today was named among the 2017 Civic 50 community-minded companies by the Points of Light organization. This marks the fourth year UPS has been recognized for its community engagement and philanthropic efforts.

Education

Bechtel Inspires School Children to ‘Dream Big’ About Careers in Engineering

Jun 21, 2017 1:45 PM ET

Research, Reports & Publications

Highlights from Taproot Foundation's Corporate Convening at the U.S. Pro Bono Summit

Jun 21, 2017 1:35 PM ET

The Taproot Foundation's U.S. Pro Bono Summit is an annual gathering of leaders from across sectors and industries with a shared vision to make the talents and skills of the business community accessible to social change organizations.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Three Quality of Lifehacks for Handling Vacation Season at Work

Jun 21, 2017 1:25 PM ET

Vacations are essential for improving employee quality of life. A major U.S. longitudinal study of 12,000 middle-aged men found that taking an annual vacation is associated with reduced risk of death due to heart disease. Vacations also improve employee performance. Iowa State University economics professor Wallace Huffman found vacations can boost productivity as much as 60 percent for up to two months following the vacation. Yet, Glassdoor.com reports that many employees are not using their full paid-time off allotment.

As summer swings into high gear, it’s vacation season in offices across America. With temperatures high and the kids out of school, it behooves employers to encourage employees to use some of their paid time off.

Education

Design for Social Innovation Newsletter: June 2017

Jun 21, 2017 1:00 PM ET

It’s summer. School is out. Time to reflect, prepare, appreciate; to review the past and think about the year ahead.

Media & Communications

Corporate Philanthropy and Social Media: Engaging Your Audience, Elevating Your Cause

Jun 21, 2017 1:00 PM ET

When #GivingTuesday launched in 2012, it provided a counterpoint to two massive celebrations of consumerism: Black Friday, the biggest shopping day of the year, and Cyber Monday. Now some of us will do just about anything to avoid shopping, but both days are intended to lure people out of their post-Thanksgiving food coma to jumpstart the holiday retail season.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

FedEx Recognized As One of the 50 Most Community-Minded Companies

Jun 21, 2017 1:00 PM ET

FedEx is proud to announce it has been recognized by Points of Light, the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service, as one of the most community-minded companies in the United States. The Civic 50 provides a national standard for superior corporate citizenship and showcases how companies can use their time, skills and other resources to improve the quality of life in the communities where they do business.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Wells Fargo donates $500,000 for El Paso-area revitalization efforts

Jun 21, 2017 1:00 PM ET

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) today announced a total of $500,000 in donations to four local nonprofits to help revitalize El Paso neighborhoods through the Wells Fargo NeighborhoodLIFT® program.

Innovation & Technology

Qualcomm Wireless Reach and eLimu Use Mobile Technology to Improve Access to Education in Kenya

Jun 21, 2017 1:00 PM ET

Albert, an 8th grade student in Nairobi, dreams of becoming an architect so he can help develop his country. Mukesh Mittal, Qualcomm’s Senior Director of Engineering, explains how mobile technology makes Albert’s dream possible.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

KeyBank Recognized On Civic 50 List

Jun 21, 2017 1:00 PM ET

KeyBank has been recognized by Points of Light, the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service, as one of the most community-minded companies in the United States. In addition to honoring KeyBank on the 2017 Civic 50 list, Points of Light also designated Key a 2017 Sector Leader in Financials. The Civic 50 provides a national standard for superior corporate citizenship and showcases how companies can use their time, skills and other resources to improve the quality of life in the communities where they do business.

Research, Reports & Publications

Metlife Releases Annual Corporate Responsibility Report

Jun 21, 2017 12:40 PM ET

MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET) today announced the release of the company’s annual corporate responsibility report, which highlights how it manages Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues and makes a positive impact on society and the economy.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Ecolab Helped Businesses Conserve 161 Billion Gallons of Water in 2016

Jun 21, 2017 12:30 PM ET

In 2016, Ecolab Inc., the global leader in water, hygiene and energy technologies and services, helped customers save 161 billion gallons of water at more than one million locations around the world. These savings, equivalent to the annual drinking water needs of more than 558 million people, are highlighted in the company’s 2016 Corporate Sustainability Report, available at www.ecolab.com.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Congratulations to Claire Meier of Northern Trust London Named a Top 100 Rising Star in Investment Management

Jun 21, 2017 12:25 PM ET

Claire Meier is a Senior Analyst in Fixed Income at Northern Trust Asset Management, responsible for global sovereign and agency research. She also plays a key role in asset allocation decisions working closely with the chief strategist and chief economist.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Working on Wellness: Simple Steps to Healthier, Happier Office Environments

Jun 21, 2017 12:15 PM ET

Want to perk up your work life? Buy some plants. It sounds simple, but a recent report by the University of Twente, VU Amsterdam and CBRE suggest it’s true.

Environment

Duke Energy Invites Students to Learn About Falcons at Indiana Facility

Jun 21, 2017 12:00 PM ET

Peregrine falcons may not be on the endangered species list any more, but they’ve got special friends in Indiana. After three falcon chicks were born on a perch at Duke Energy’s Gallagher Station smoke stack B recently, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) retrieved them for banding and a naming ceremony.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Where Art and Activism Meet: Zach Ingrasci Seeks to Create a More Equitable World Through Documentary Film

Jun 21, 2017 12:00 PM ET

A filmmaker and a humanitarian, Zach Ingrasci is dedicated to using his talents to help empower disenfranchised communities around the world. From living in a tent in a Syrian refugee camp to working as radish farmers and surviving on $1 a day in Guatemala, Zach and his co-director Chris Temple have cultivated an innovative style of documentary filmmaking that sits at the intersection of storytelling and social justice.