ESG News from Leading Brands

Environment

Donald Trump Could Slow Clean Energy’s Hard-Won Progress

Oct 7, 2016 7:50 PM ET

“A Trump presidency would probably not be the worst disaster, given that support is grandfathered in at the federal level,” said Jenny Chase, head of global solar analysis at Bloomberg New Energy Finance.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Lance McCullers of the Houston Astros is The Leader of the Pack

Oct 7, 2016 4:40 PM ET

Lance McCullers sometimes employs unorthodox training methods to keep it interesting. He’s been known to swing an axe in the backyard, or even do squats with his wife Kara on his shoulders.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

The PayPal and Kiva Connection: A Shared Mission

Oct 7, 2016 3:30 PM ET

I joined PayPal as one of their first 50 employees in 2000 as a product manager. Little did I know that this job was going to lead me into my career as an social entrepreneur and that PayPal would be the company that helped make Kiva, a global nonprofit, possible. In the early days of PayPal it was really just a group of strange geniuses.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

OnStar Donates $400,000 to First Responders

Oct 7, 2016 3:05 PM ET

Today OnStar celebrates its 20th anniversary by giving $20,000 each to 20 public safety personnel who experienced serious physical injury or hardship that impacted their ability to perform their jobs.

Environment

GM Hydrogen Fuel Cells Mark 50 Years of Development

Oct 7, 2016 2:45 PM ET

The year 1966 brought the TV debuts of “Batman” and “Star Trek,” which both enjoy a cultlike following 50 years later. With less fanfare in the same season, General Motors tested the Electrovan, the world’s first hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicle.

Education

Boeing’s Partnership with EdWeek Shows the Value of Basic Classroom Materials in STEM Education

Oct 7, 2016 2:30 PM ET

As part of Boeing’s ongoing 100 Days of Learning, the company and its educational partners took part of in an EdWeek webinar on September 28 at 2pm EST. This webinar discussed ways of using everyday, accessible classroom materials for STEM lessons.

Diversity & Inclusion

GM Foundation, Rainbow PUSH Award 30 Scholarships

Oct 7, 2016 2:15 PM ET

Thirty college students were awarded Rainbow PUSH Excel Scholarships at the 17th Annual Rainbow PUSH Automotive Summit held in Detroit. The conference brings together automotive, business and community thought leaders to advance diversity initiatives within the automotive industry.

Events, Media & Communications

NAEM’s Annual Forum to Showcase Latest Strategies for Building Safety Culture, Reducing Environmental Risks and Natural Resource Management

Oct 7, 2016 2:00 PM ET

Each year NAEM’s annual conference convenes more than 550 attendees for a three-day showcase of the latest strategies corporate environment, health, safety and sustainability (EHS&S) leaders are using to keep employees safe, minimize their company’s environmental footprint and deliver business value through sustainability programs.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Conflict-Free Sourcing Initiative Names Source Intelligence as First Official Vendor Member to Further Enhance Resources, Networks

Oct 7, 2016 1:40 PM ET

Source Intelligence today announced it has become an official vendor member of the Conflict-Free Sourcing Initiative (CFSI) to further facilitate the exchange of supply chain data and technical information in the quest for global ethical sourcing of materials.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Qualcomm Employees Participate in San Diego Heart Walk

Oct 7, 2016 1:10 PM ET

This past Saturday, Qualcomm employees came together to help to make the American Heart Association’s 2016 San Diego Heart Walk big a success!

Social Impact & Volunteering

Volunteer Spotlight: Keep Cincinnati Beautiful's Gary Dangel

Oct 7, 2016 12:00 PM ET

Even though Gary Dangel has been retired for 12 years, he is busier than ever. As a resident of Cincinnati’s Walnut Hills for the past 30 years, he saw things that needed to be done in his neighborhood and got to work. He hasn’t stopped since.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Subaru of America Celebrates Its Love of Pets During October “Subaru Loves Pets” Initiative

Oct 7, 2016 12:00 PM ET

This October, Subaru of America, Inc. has once again kicked off its “Subaru Loves Pets” initiative as part of the brand’s Love Promise platform. More than half of Subaru drivers are also pet owners, and the automaker remains committed to keeping the entire family safe, including beloved pets. As part of this commitment to animal welfare, Subaru retailers across the country will activate several programs that will help animals in need.

Diversity & Inclusion

Inclusion and Safety: Drivers of Business Success

Oct 7, 2016 11:50 AM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

4 Ways You Can Support Hurricane Matthew Recovery Efforts Over the Long Term

Oct 7, 2016 11:45 AM ET

Hurricane Matthew is devastating. According to the New York Times, Florida’s “Atlantic coast is feeling the force of the Category 3 storm, and the National Weather Service warns of ‘extremely dangerous and life-threatening’ winds. ‘Evacuate, evacuate, evacuate,’ the governor urged 1.5 million residents yesterday.” More from their reporters about the destruction in Florida, South Carolina and elsewhere can be found here.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Carnival Cruise Line, New Orleans Saints and Scholastic Book Fairs Team Up to Honor Students With ‘Read & Rise’ Literacy Event Aboard Carnival Triumph in New Orleans

Oct 7, 2016 11:30 AM ET

On September 8, 2016, 100 students from Kipp Central City Primary, an elementary school in New Orleans, enjoyed a day of fun aboard the Carnival Triumph for the first-ever “Read & Rise” literacy day to celebrate their reading achievements as winners of the school’s summer reading challenge.

Events, Media & Communications

Sustainable Brands Releases Full Program for Annual New Metrics Conference

Oct 7, 2016 10:00 AM ET

Sustainable Brands® recently announced the full program for New Metrics’16, scheduled for November 14-16 in Boston, MA.

Responsible Production & Consumption

More Mining Companies Begin to Share Resources Using Integrated Infrastructure

Oct 7, 2016 10:00 AM ET

Traditionally, mining companies have built their own infrastructure at greenfield sites, and due to necessity, constructed their own supporting “pit to port” infrastructure, including power and water supply schemes, roads and railways. However, as a result of growing cost pressures and increasing capital to build new greenfield operations, a trend is developing, whereby mining companies are seeking opportunities to share resources to save on expenses.

Environment

World Bank Group and Nespresso Partner to Help Coffee Farmers in East Africa

Oct 7, 2016 10:00 AM ET

Nespresso has today announced a joint investment of $6 million with the World Bank’s IFC (International Finance Corporation) in a landmark collaboration project to support coffee farmers in East Africa to combat the effects of climate change.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Comcast NBCUniversal Empowers Millennial Changemakers

Oct 7, 2016 9:45 AM ET

The Millennial Trains Project (MTP) is an opportunity for young entrepreneurs and changemakers to work on innovative projects over a week-long train journey across the country.

Health & Healthcare

In the Wendy’s Kitchen, with Jenna and Eryn

Oct 7, 2016 9:30 AM ET

Recently, our culinary team at Wendy’s recognized an opportunity to lower the amount of sodium contained in our grilled chicken and salads. Sodium is a topic we care about and we strive to be a place that provides options for all, and specifically (in this case) for those who are looking for a few items with lower sodium counts. We’re on a journey and proud of the progress we’ve made, so we’re using this blog to explain a bit about how we approached this challenge…you know, to make “fast food” better for you, without sacrificing quality and taste.

Environment

Six Principles of Water Stewardship: Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable Releases a New Framework for Water Stewardship in the Beverage Industry

Oct 7, 2016 9:20 AM ET

To demonstrate the beverage sector’s continued pursuit of advancing water stewardship, today the Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER) released a refreshed framework definition for World Class Water Stewardship in the Beverage Industry.

Environment

Singapore Inspires the World to Turn City Skylines Green

Oct 7, 2016 9:15 AM ET

When I first heard of Singapore’s target to green 80 percent of its buildings, old and new, by 2030, I thought it was a great vision and the way to the future. But it is a challenging feat. Developing a green building from scratch is easy, but we can become a truly green society only when we solve the challenge of making our old buildings green.

Environment

Who Let the Quail Out?

Oct 7, 2016 9:15 AM ET

More than 400 pen-raised northern bobwhite quail moved to their new home on Oct. 5, the 132 acres of authentic Michigan prairie grassland surrounding the FCA US LLC Dundee Engine Plant in Dundee, Mich. The quail were released by approximately 115 Dundee High School’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter as part of an effort to increase the birds’ population.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Mohawk Group Video | Believe in Better: Sustainability

Oct 7, 2016 9:05 AM ET

Events, Media & Communications

The 20th Annual LIVESTRONG Challenge in Austin is Gearing Up

Oct 7, 2016 9:00 AM ET

On Sunday, October 16, thousands of riders—many of them cancer survivors—and other LIVESTRONG Foundation supporters from not only Texas, but cities and towns across America will come together to honor their courageous fight against cancer during the 20th annual LIVESTRONG Challenge.