ESG News from Leading Brands

Environment

General Motors Corporate Responsibility Newsletter - July 2016

Jul 6, 2016 2:35 PM ET

GREENER VEHICLES What’s Driving Electric Cars into the Mainstream? Plenty.

Environment

MGM Resorts International and NRG Energy Complete the Installation of One of the Nation’s Largest Rooftop Solar Array

Jul 6, 2016 2:00 PM ET

NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NRG) and MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) today announced the completed expansion of the nation's largest rooftop solar array. On the roof of the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, the expanded solar array has more than 26,000 photovoltaic panels and produces a combined 8.3 MW dc (6.5 MW ac) of electricity, a new national record for rooftop arrays. At full production, the system supplies 25% of the power demand of the entire Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino campus.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Growing Future Leaders in the Fight to End Hunger

Jul 6, 2016 1:20 PM ET

There are some remarkable people out there who are fighting to end hunger. These people have dedicated countless hours to ensuring no one goes hungry, whether it’s in their own communities or around the world. Some have donated thousands of pounds of food to people in need. Some have recruited others and inspired them to get involved in service. And some have done all of this before graduating high school.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

BSR16 Early Registration Deadline Extended to July 15

Jul 6, 2016 1:00 PM ET

We heard from a number of you, and we’re taking it to heart! We know that summer deadlines are tough, so if you missed the BSR Conference 2016 early registration deadline, you are in luck.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

CITGO Richmond Terminal Golf Tournament Benefits Muscular Dystrophy Association

Jul 6, 2016 12:20 PM ET

CITGO Petroleum Corporation’s Richmond Terminal hosted its 27th Annual Golf Tournament on May 26, raising a record-breaking fundraising total of more than $34,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) of Greater Virginia. Over the course of 27 years, the CITGO Terminal’s annual golf tournament has raised more than $850,000 for the MDA.

Diversity & Inclusion

“Change the World Like a Woman"

Jul 6, 2016 12:20 PM ET

Research, Reports & Publications

GRI Standards: Have Your Say!

Jul 6, 2016 12:00 PM ET

The Global Sustainability Standards Board (GSSB) is transitioning the G4 Guidelines into GRI Sustainability Reporting Standards (GRI Standards). In line with GRI's longstanding multi-stakeholder approach and Due Process Protocol for standards development, the exposure drafts of GRI Standards are open for review and comment until 17 July 2016. Check out what others are saying about the new standards.

Environment

Two Thought-Provoking Talks at Ecological Economists Event

Jul 6, 2016 12:00 PM ET

Ecological economists are playing an increasingly important role in assessing the economic value of natural capital and ecosystem services. SCS Global Services’ Stowe Beam addressed the largely academic audience at the International Society for Ecological Economists conference in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, June 29th with thought-provoking presentations on two topics requiring sound ecological accountability.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

What is BNY Mellon's Role in the World?

Jul 6, 2016 12:00 PM ET

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) supports BNY Mellon’s vision of improving lives through investing. As an engine for the financial markets, BNY Mellon helps drive global growth and prosperity.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Safety and Education Top Priorities for Sappi and Its People

Jul 6, 2016 11:30 AM ET

Since 2008, Sappi North America has established regional long-term goals to focus our collective efforts on areas that are critical to our business.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Whalesafe: Presentation of the Sperm Whale Protection Protocol of Conduct

Jul 6, 2016 11:30 AM ET

Monday morning the Aquarium of Genoa played host to the presentation of the sperm whale protection protocol of conduct developed by the partners of the Whalesafe conservation project and co-financed by the European Union through the Life+ program, including the University of Genoa (Department of Physics and the Department of Earth Sciences, Environment and Life), Costa Edutainment, the Maritime Administration of Genoa, the Harbourmaster's Office of Savona and Softeco Sismat.

Health & Healthcare

Strengthening Health System through Tri-Sector Collaboration in Ghana

Jul 6, 2016 11:00 AM ET

“Utilizing this unique multi-company cohort to support evidenced-based health interventions builds capacity among this coalition,” said Sharon Rudy, Director, GHFP-II. “This collaboration is made possible by USAID, who provides the underlying support through the Global Health Fellows Program II, while the corporate partners provide the generous pro bono support.”

Energy

Ecocentricity Blog: Grid Parity and Other Solar Thoughts

Jul 6, 2016 10:00 AM ET

Grid parity is when new solar and wind farms cost less than new natural gas power plants, even without subsidies. And we might already be there.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Toyota Serves as a National Host Sponsor of the Largest Annual Wheelchair Multi-Sport Event in the World

Jul 6, 2016 9:00 AM ET

National Veterans Wheelchair Games (NVWG) co-hosts, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Paralyzed Veterans of America (Paralyzed Veterans), are proud to recognize Toyota as a National Host sponsor of the 36th National Veterans Wheelchair Games.

Education

Middle and High School Students Embark on Global Journeys Through National Geographic Student Expeditions Program

Jul 6, 2016 8:00 AM ET

National Geographic's Student Expeditions program offers educational travel experiences for students all over the world, providing unique learning opportunities at more than 40 locations for budding photographers, writers and scientists. National Geographic also provides scholarship assistance for students in need, awarding nearly two dozen free expeditions this summer to students completing 6th through 12th grades. 21st Century Fox expanded its partnership with the National Geographic Society last fall, with 27% of all current proceeds going toward the society's grant-making pursuits.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Summer Lunch Program for At-Risk Children Addresses Nutritional Needs

Jul 5, 2016 6:00 PM ET

Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation’s Feeding Our Future initiative, which is expected to serve 135,000 free lunches to at risk children this summer, is launching today in nine cities across Canada. The long-term project is Canada’s largest summer lunch program and has delivered well over one million lunches since its inception in 2001.

Innovation & Technology

Why Data Analytics Must Be Part of Your Next Infrastructure Project

Jul 5, 2016 6:00 PM ET

It used to be that the quality of infrastructure was measured by its lifespan. Water systems might last a century, and power plants at least half that. Those were measurements of solid assets, well worth the investment. But today, dependable infrastructure is just not enough. While it must be resilient and have an extended life cycle, now it must also be intelligent and communicate with other systems in ways that were unknown only a few years ago.

Health & Healthcare

Sodexo and Chef Jesse Cool Elevate Nutrition Standards, Waste Reduction Volumes, and Patient Satisfaction Score for Food at Stanford Health Care

Jul 5, 2016 4:45 PM ET

Sodexo, world leader in Quality of Life Services, today announced the release of the Stanford Health Care Food Transformation Journey. The recently published case study outlines how Sodexo and local Chef Jesse Cool set out to better align food concepts with the outstanding level of health care for which the renowned institution is known. The results exceeded expectations, achieving a Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Score for food that increased by 140 percent.

Research, Reports & Publications

Pfizer Highlights Role of Health in Achieving the UN’s Global Goals for Sustainable Development

Jul 5, 2016 4:00 PM ET

In light of the recent United Nations Global Compact Leaders Summit in New York City, Pfizer reflects on the impact of health on progress toward each of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Environment

Join FREE Webinar on How to Optimize Circular Economy Through Natural Capital

Jul 5, 2016 3:30 PM ET

Innovation & Technology

Twitter Chat Recap: How to Leverage Free Technology to Further Your Nonprofit's Mission

Jul 5, 2016 3:00 PM ET

In this Twitter Chat, moderated by NetSuite.org in partnership with NTEN and TechSoup, nonprofit leaders discussed how to prepare to truly leverage free technology -- from where to access new technology and the resources to use it successfully, to who should be involved in choosing the technology and helping implement it, and more.

Events, Media & Communications

Freeport-McMoRan releases 2015 Working Toward Sustainable Development Report “Proving our Mettle”

Jul 5, 2016 3:00 PM ET

The Freeport-McMoRan 2015 Working Toward Sustainable Development report is meant to provide stakeholders with summary information on their sustainability programs, including policies, management systems and performance data.

Innovation & Technology

Booz Allen, Galvanize, and Topcoder Bring Together Tech Industry and Government for #HACKtheSKY Swarm Drone Hackathon to Solve US Navy’s Toughest Challenges

Jul 5, 2016 3:00 PM ET

Last year, the US Navy broke the world record for flying 50 autonomous drones with a single operator. Last weekend, the US Navy hosted their first event hackathon, #HACKtheSKY. Over the course of 72 hours, 220 data scientists, developers, cyber experts, and Navy subject matter experts tackled the Naval Postgraduate School and Department of Navy Innovation’s toughest Unmanned Aerial Vehicle challenges.

Innovation & Technology

Why Using Post-consumer Recycled Plastic in IT Devices Rocks

Jul 5, 2016 2:30 PM ET

When Dell captured the Green Electronics Council Catalyst award for 2015 last fall at the Emerging Green Conference, I felt they truly deserved it. The first Catalyst Award focused on electronics and related infrastructures’ positive impact on the circular economy, where circular economy is defined as “an economic system that is safe and restorative by intention and seeks to eradicate waste through the careful design, manufacture, use and handling of products and components.”

Responsible Production & Consumption

Thailand Is Relieved Of Its Human Trafficking Blacklist Status

Jul 5, 2016 2:25 PM ET

On Thursday, the US State Department removed Thailand from the human trafficking blacklist. Though Thailand has been a spotlight country when dealing with forced labor, the State Department made their decision based on the criteria outlined in the Human Trafficking Persons Report.