ESG News from Leading Brands

Environment

Trash Talk: GM Has Record Year for Landfill-Free Operations

Dec 14, 2016 1:00 PM ET

General Motors achieved a record number of landfill-free facilities in 2016, exceeding its commitment four years early. The company now operates 152 global facilities that recycle, reuse or convert to energy all waste from daily operations. These 52 non-manufacturing sites and 100 manufacturing sites contribute to GM’s top and bottom lines by driving efficiencies, generating revenue and saving money.

Diversity & Inclusion

Aflac Lands 2 Major Honors from FORTUNE and Great Place to Work

Dec 14, 2016 12:00 PM ET

Aflac, the leader in voluntary insurance sales at the worksite in the United States, today announced two major honors for the company and its workforce. Aflac was named to FORTUNE Magazine’s 2016 lists of the Best Workplaces for Diversity and the Best Workplaces for African Americans, according to global research and consulting firm Great Place to Work® and Fortune.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

A World Hungry for Social Inclusion

Dec 14, 2016 11:30 AM ET

The exclusion of the poor from participating in, and getting access to, opportunities and activities is a major dimension of poverty that needs to be recognised and addressed. As allocators of capital, we believe that social inclusion considerations must be an integral component of our investment and ownership decisions.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

GRI Appoints CSR Leader Tim Mohin as New Chief Executive

Dec 14, 2016 11:30 AM ET

GRI announced today that Timothy J. Mohin, a well-known sustainability practitioner, advocate and author, has been appointed as the organization’s new Chief Executive.

Energy

Shining a Light on Off-Grid Communities

Dec 14, 2016 11:25 AM ET

Germany-based solar energy provider Little Sun has joined the Business Call to Action (BCtA) by committing to provide clean and affordable solar lighting to 5 million people in Africa while bringing livelihood opportunities and training to at least 4,000 local micro-entrepreneur distributors until 2020.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Forbes Names Whirlpool Corporation to Just 100 List

Dec 14, 2016 11:15 AM ET

Forbes Magazine has named Whirlpool Corporation to its Just 100 list — a recognition that celebrates America’s best corporate citizens.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Duke Energy's Water Resources Fund Grants Top $5 Million over Two Years

Dec 14, 2016 11:05 AM ET

Twelve organizations in North Carolina, South Carolina andVirginia will share $777,879 in new grants from Duke Energy's Water Resources Fund to support environmental and wildlife programs.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

One Year Later, Detroit’s Entrepreneurs of Color Fund Provides $2.75 Million to Nearly 30 Minority-Owned Small Businesses

Dec 14, 2016 11:00 AM ET

Innovation & Technology

Facebook, Microsoft Philanthropies, Google and Qualcomm Wireless Reach Featured at Annual Global Digital Health Forum Closing Plenary

Dec 14, 2016 11:00 AM ET

Thought leaders from Facebook, Google, Microsoft Philanthropies and Qualcomm Wireless Reach will be featured at the closing plenary of the 3rd annual Global Digital Health Forum (formerly the Global mHealth Forum), on December 14.

Health & Healthcare

Power to the Period Donation Drive | U by Kotex

Dec 14, 2016 10:25 AM ET

More than 50,000 people started a donation drive. More than 585,000 products were donated.

Responsible Production & Consumption

A Quarter of Your Company's Revenue May Be Linked to Deforestation

Dec 14, 2016 10:20 AM ET

Nearly a quarter of company revenue on average is dependent on commodities that are directly linked to deforestation. However, only a fraction of these companies have taken significant steps to adequately assess and manage the resource risks posed.

Innovation & Technology

Scotiabank is Proud to Sponsor the Young Entrepreneurs Symposium

Dec 14, 2016 10:00 AM ET

Social Impact & Volunteering

The Power of Volunteerism: Strengthening Partnerships and Human Capital with Dr. Rebecca Hardin

Dec 14, 2016 10:00 AM ET

In this episode of the Champions for Social Good Podcast, Jamie Serino speaks with Dr. Rebecca Hardin, Performance Improvement Consultant and Federal Employee Volunteer Program Director about how volunteerism strengthens human capital.

Events, Media & Communications

Cop’s Kindness Inspires Hanes to Donate Socks to Homeless

Dec 14, 2016 9:40 AM ET

Hanes donates 500 pairs of socks to New York Transit Bureau as part of national sock drive for the homeless.

Research, Reports & Publications

Domtar Shows Status on Sustainability Goals

Dec 14, 2016 9:35 AM ET

Sustainability at Domtar is our endeavor to take a longer-term view of creating and preserving shareholder value. We accomplish this by considering how we respond to and contribute to emerging opportunities and risks in the world around us. Our 2016 Sustainability Update provides insight into our priorities on the journey towards becoming a more sustainable business. Click here to read the full update, and view updated performance metrics here.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Impact Investing in the Age of Fintech and Big Data

Dec 14, 2016 9:25 AM ET

Here is a new impact investing platform harnesses technology, social networks, and scale to help investors, institutions and their advisors invest with purpose.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Epsilon Makes $350,000 Gift to Support Children’s Health and Development in Boston

Dec 14, 2016 9:00 AM ET

Epsilon, an Alliance Data company that is a global marketing leader in creating connections between people and brands, recently announced two gifts totaling $350,000 in honor of its Boston-area associates to the Boys and Girls Club of Stoneham & Wakefield and the Boston Children’s Hospital.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Barclays Insight: Riding the Wave of Innovation

Dec 14, 2016 9:00 AM ET

Wave CEO Gadi Ruschin, shares how the company is changing the way global trade is carried out and the invaluable experiences they gained from the Barclays Accelerator powered by Techstars programme.

Education

Ten to Watch: Marta Andres Terre

Dec 14, 2016 9:00 AM ET

Originally from Spain, Marta Andres Terre’s journey in science has taken her to the U.K., Switzerland, Sweden and now the U.S. As a current Ph.D. student in Immunology at Stanford, she is working to uncover cures for bacterial diseases like typhoid fever and the flu by discovering how the body can block them.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

VIDEO | HP Board of Directors Discusses Sustainability

Dec 14, 2016 8:35 AM ET

HP has made a comprehensive commitment to sustainability that embraces every aspect of our business – driving our vision of creating technology that makes work and life better for everyone, everywhere. In this video, HP Board members discuss the importance of sustainability to the company, employees and the environment.

Energy

Industrial Robots Are Learning to Save Energy

Dec 14, 2016 8:30 AM ET

The automotive industry uses more robots than any other sector. The computer-controlled machines are taking on more and increasingly complex tasks. They work reliably, efficiently, and with high precision. Engineers are now even teaching them how to learn. But how energy-efficient are these mechanical helpers in reality?

Research, Reports & Publications

Human Rights Challenges for Business in 2017 – Complementary Briefing

Dec 14, 2016 8:00 AM ET

Claiming ignorance is not an option anymore and Human rights standards and due diligence demand is just increasing. But how is the landscape evolving, and what does it mean for corporate risk?

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

How IBM and Stop the Traffik Are Taking on the Traffickers with Technology

Dec 14, 2016 8:00 AM ET

No matter their size, sector, location or scope, no business can ignore human rights. Their scope is wide, covering everything from the right to education to access to water, but one issue in particular is now the most pressing cause of human rights abuses across the world – human trafficking.

Environment

Public Partners From Atlanta to Chicago are Enthused About Norfolk Southern’s Emissions-Reduction Technology

Dec 14, 2016 6:30 AM ET

Across Norfolk Southern’s operating territory – from Kansas City and Atlanta to Chicago and Ohio – representatives from state and federal environmental agencies support the railroad’s efforts to reduce locomotive emissions.

Research, Reports & Publications

Macsween Highlights Commitment to Sustainability and Employee Welfare with publication of 2014/2015 Sustainability Report

Dec 14, 2016 4:00 AM ET

Macsween’s approach to business is influenced by a three generation, 60 year tradition of growth, responsibility and innovation. Over the past 10 years, as Managing Directors, James & Jo Macsween have developed this further; marrying family values with new products, progressive employment practices and environmental systems.