ESG News from Leading Brands

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

A Conversation with Cities: Mayors on Catalyzing Collaboration & Engaging Citizens

Mar 2, 2017 3:45 PM ET

When it comes to addressing the complex challenges that come with rapid urbanization, cities have an opportunity to tap into their strongest natural resource – their citizens. The City Accelerator continues to help city governments engage with their citizens so they can improve services and quality of life. For 18 months, cities in the initiative’s second round of participants focused on enhancing the ways in which cities engage with their residents on important local issues such as fostering entrepreneurship and connecting those in need to social services.

Innovation & Technology

Optimizing Safety and Performance through Accenture’s Connected Mine

Mar 2, 2017 3:00 PM ET

As part of our series on #DisruptMining Innovation, in today’s post we share how we’ve been working with Accenture to create a connected mine.

Green Infrastructure

Trane and GWCCA Unveil Convention Center Upgrades Expected to Reduce Energy Use by More Than a Third

Mar 2, 2017 3:00 PM ET

Leaders from Trane, a leading global provider of indoor comfort solutions and services and a brand of Ingersoll Rand, and the Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA) unveiled upgrades to the Atlanta convention center this week which are expected to cut energy costs and reduce the centers carbon footprint by 39 percent annually, saving more than $2.5 million in the first year alone.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Paul Durkee Promoted to Vice President at Antea Group

Mar 2, 2017 1:20 PM ET

Antea Group announced today the promotion of Paul Durkee to Vice President. Durkee currently serves as the President of the Inogen Environmental Alliance, a global network of environment, health, safety and sustainability consultants.

Events, Media & Communications

People’s Flea and Festival to Benefit Susquehanna Service Dogs

Mar 2, 2017 1:10 PM ET

Join 105.7 the X and Susquehanna Service Dogs for The People’s Flea and Festival, an event to benefit Susquehanna Service Dogs.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

What is The New Normal?

Mar 2, 2017 12:20 PM ET

Screened at the 12th Annual Board of Boards in New York City on February 27, 2017, this video accompanied the formal launch of Strategic Investor Initiative (SII), the first step in the effort to move trillions in capital by working with leading companies to develop and deliver their long-term plans to strategic investors.

Responsible Production & Consumption

New Timberland X Thread Collection Delivers Good With Every Fiber

Mar 2, 2017 11:00 AM ET

Global outdoor lifestyle brand Timberland today launched the Timberland X Thread collection in partnership with Thread, a Certified B Corporation that transforms plastic bottles from the streets and canals of Haiti into what Thread calls “the most responsible fabric on the planet.” The collection goes beyond environmental sustainability, creating social value and impact in the form of cleaner neighborhoods and meaningful new job opportunities. The new Timberland X Thread shoes, t-shirts and bags are available in Timberland® stores and at www.timberland.com.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

General Motors Corporate Responsibility Newsletter - March 2017

Mar 2, 2017 10:45 AM ET

Chevrolet Bolt EV is 2017 MotorWeek Drivers’ Choice Award – Best Car of the Year
The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV won the Motor Week Driver’s Choice Best of the Year award, accepted by Chevrolet Cars and Crossovers Marketing Director, Steve Majoros. The Bolt EV was praised for its long range, styling and price.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Through Strategic Volunteer Engagement, KPMG and Freeport-McMoRan Promote Youth Education

Mar 2, 2017 10:45 AM ET

There are a variety of ways companies support education initiatives across the country, from philanthropic investments and fundraising to employee engagement activities and skills-based volunteering. For 2016 Civic 50 sector leaders KPMG and Freeport-McMoRan, investment in education translates to a firm-wide commitment and strategic business opportunity.

Environment

Ingersoll Rand to Discuss Communicating Climate Solutions at Climate Leadership Conference

Mar 2, 2017 10:45 AM ET

Scott Tew, executive director, Center for Energy Efficiency and Sustainability at Ingersoll Rand, a world leader in creating comfortable, sustainable and efficient environments, will speak with a global audience of climate, energy and sustainability professionals to address climate change through policy, innovation and business solutions at the Climate Leadership Conference.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Barclays and GSK: Seven Lessons for a Successful Partnership

Mar 2, 2017 10:05 AM ET

In 2013, Barclays and GSK formed a new partnership combining the skills and expertise of a bank and a healthcare company to help increase access to healthcare and improve economic livelihoods in Africa. A new report offers seven lessons learned from the project.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Sparking Curiosity

Mar 2, 2017 10:05 AM ET

The world around us is constantly being changed and challenged by advancements in science. Think of how far we’ve come in just the past few years in regard to our access to technology, health care and knowledge.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

A Commitment Never to Cut Corners: The Wendy’s Supplier Code of Conduct

Mar 2, 2017 10:05 AM ET

Since our founding by Dave Thomas in 1969, Wendy's has always operated under a core set of values which begin and end with a commitment to Quality. These values extend beyond the walls of our restaurants, and Restaurant Support Center, to the long-standing, collaborative relationships we have with our trusted suppliers.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

AEG Ogden Chairman and CEO, Harvey Lister Honored as Australian Tourism “Legend”

Mar 2, 2017 10:00 AM ET

AEG Ogden Chairman and CEO, Harvey Lister was presented with the Australian Tourism Legend Award at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards in Darwin, Australia on February 24, 2017.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Habitat Stories: A Healthier Home for Bia

Mar 2, 2017 10:00 AM ET

Maria Lucia is a single mother who works full time as a janitor in a hospital to support her 7-year-old daughter Bia. They live in a one-bedroom house in Bomba do Hemeterio, a low-income neighborhood in Recife, the sixth-largest metropolitan area in Brazil.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Understanding the Big Picture--Frequently Cited General Industry OSHA Violations

Mar 2, 2017 9:55 AM ET

The flurry of activity that occurred when your facility received citations after your recent OSHA wall-to-wall visit has finally let up. Following the process explained in the last blog, you posted the citations and the team reviewed each citation to gain complete understanding. Now there are abatement dates that must be met.

As you and your team start work correcting the violations, you begin to feel distraught--you worked hard getting safety processes in place as the new plant safety person. You are disappointed with the outcome of the wall-to-wall and you wonder if the citations are unique to your facility and what you can do differently to avoid citations in the future.

Events, Media & Communications

Webinar: Implementing the Sustainable Development Goals with Samantha Mesrobian, Scotiabank

Mar 2, 2017 9:45 AM ET

Environment

Setting Targets and Goals for Your Recycling Program

Mar 2, 2017 9:45 AM ET

Once the plastics recycling program has been established and some data and metrics have been collected and validated, it is time to establish targets and goals for continuous improvement in the program. What is the difference between goals and targets? Goals provide a broad vision of what a hospital is trying to accomplish. Targets are the more specific measures that are being undertaken to achieve the goal. Learn more about setting targets and goals at the HPRC website.

Diversity & Inclusion

Cox Enterprises Announces New Relationship with Catalyst to Accelerate Inclusion of Women in the Workplace

Mar 2, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Cox Enterprises announced today its support of Catalyst, a leading nonprofit that accelerates progress for women through workplace inclusion. Cox is joining Catalyst at the global supporter level and will participate in the organization’s Annual Awards Conference and Dinner.

Innovation & Technology

Greater Ambitions with Science-Based Targets

Mar 2, 2017 9:00 AM ET

SCA will substantially raise the bar for climate work by committing to develop a science-based target for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The proposed target will be developed over the course of the year and submitted to approval organizations.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Barclays Shares Annual Citizenship Performance in 2016 Annual Report

Mar 2, 2017 8:15 AM ET

2016 marks the first year of Barclays’ Shared Growth Ambition – a new Citizenship strategy that concentrates efforts on those sectors of the economy where the bank can have the greatest impact and which will align with its core strength as a financial services institution.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Domtar Difference Makers: Page Wilson of the American Red Cross

Mar 2, 2017 8:15 AM ET

Read about Domtar Difference Maker, Page Wilson of the American Red Cross.

Social Impact & Volunteering

AkzoNobel and SOS Children's Villages Partner to Fight Youth Unemployment With the Power of Paint

Mar 2, 2017 8:05 AM ET

AkzoNobel and SOS Children's Villages are joining forces to use education and renovation to drive a positive impact on youth unemployment. The partnership aims to reach the young people of SOS Children's Villages with AkzoNobel's "Let's Colour" program and professional training through AkzoNobel's painter academies around the world.

Research, Reports & Publications

Lloyds Banking Group Reaffirms Its Commitment to Helping Britain Prosper

Mar 2, 2017 8:00 AM ET

Lloyds Banking Group today publishes its latest Helping Britain Prosper Plan update. The Group recognises that people, businesses and communities are facing significant social and economic challenges and the Plan is our measurable response. We believe no other bank is better placed to help Britain: the Group serves approximately 25 million customers, 1 million small businesses and is the UK’s largest digital bank.

Environment

The Trend Toward Car-Free Cities Is Picking Up Speed

Mar 2, 2017 7:55 AM ET

When you think about it, car-free cities shouldn’t seem like such a radical idea. Cities, after all, have been around for thousands of years, while cars date back just a century or so. And yet, the automobile has so worked itself into our way of life over that time, that doing without it seems all but unthinkable.