ESG News from Leading Brands

Innovation & Technology

Expanding Access to Energy Through Innovation

Jun 9, 2016 12:20 PM ET

Boond, a social enterprise that strives to bring “energy to all” through renewable solutions, joined the Business Call to Action (BCtA) with a commitment to install 4,000 solar micro-grids across rural India by 2022, reaching 1 million underserved people in rural areas with its inclusive clean-energy initiative.

Social Impact & Volunteering

KitchenAid Volunteers Clean Up Benton Harbor

Jun 9, 2016 12:00 PM ET

BENTON HARBOR — Union Park was flooded with people Tuesday.

There wasn’t a pickup game or a picnic. Instead more than 30 volunteers from KitchenAid and Kinexus’ YouthBuild program were out cleaning and maintaining the Benton Harbor park.

Research, Reports & Publications

2016 Global Food Security Index Released

Jun 9, 2016 12:00 PM ET

On June 9th, 2016 the Economist Intelligence Unit released its 2016 Global Food Security Index (GFSI). The GFSI, sponsored by DuPont, is an annual benchmarking index that provides a common framework for understanding the root causes of food insecurity by examining the dynamics of food systems around the world. Through this framework, the GFSI has created a unique country-level food-security measurement tool that addresses the issues of affordability, availability and utilization in 113 countries.

Environment

Zero-Waste Part of Sustainability Journey at Trane Facility in Waco, Texas

Jun 9, 2016 11:30 AM ET

In 2008, the team at Ingersoll Rand’s Trane facility in Waco, Texas, committed to the goals of zero waste by 2016 and grid neutrality by 2020, as well as a significant reduction in water usage. The facility, which manufactures the Ingersoll Rand water source heat pump product portfolio, is well on its way toward achieving these targets.

Education

CITGO Awards Scholarships to Corpus Christi Students Poised to Become First-Generation College Graduates

Jun 9, 2016 11:20 AM ET

Fifteen college-bound students attending high schools in the Corpus Christi Independent School District (CCISD) were awarded the CITGO First in Family Scholarship, thanks to support from CITGO Petroleum Corporation and the Corpus Christi Education Fund (CCEF).

Social Impact & Volunteering

Day in the Life of a Comcast Cares Day Volunteer

Jun 9, 2016 11:10 AM ET

He is one of tens of thousands of Comcast NBCUniversal employees who roll up their sleeves each year to give back during one of our company’s greatest traditions, Comcast Cares Day. Watch as Julian shares his experience volunteering at Camp Hope, a Houston facility operated by the PTSD Foundation of America that provides veterans and their families a place to find healing, help and hope.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Facts About Global Poverty and Empowerment

Jun 9, 2016 11:05 AM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Holland America Line Celebrates Grand Opening of Denali Square Complex in Alaska with $20,000 Donation to Local School District

Jun 9, 2016 11:00 AM ET

Guests on Holland America Line’s award-winning Alaska Land+Sea Journeys can now experience new dining, entertainment and amenities at the Denali Square complex located in the heart of the company’s McKinley Chalet Resort at the gates of Denali National Park.

Research, Reports & Publications

Hershey Shares Progress on Social Responsibility Commitments

Jun 9, 2016 10:45 AM ET

The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) today issued its latest Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) report – titled “Shared Goodness” – showcasing progress made in 2015 against a variety of priority issues.

Diversity & Inclusion

Olive Garden Helps Lift Team Members from Homelessness

Jun 9, 2016 10:40 AM ET

Two formerly homeless Orlando men now have good jobs at Olive Garden and roofs over their heads, and they could not be more grateful.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Frostys (and Your Phone!) for a Cause

Jun 9, 2016 10:30 AM ET

Free Wendy’s® Frostys® are adding up to a half a million dollar donation to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and we couldn’t be more grateful. From June through December, T-Mobile customers who download the company’s app will receive T-Mobile alerts each week, which includes a coupon for a free Wendy’s Frosty.

Events, Media & Communications

The U.S. Government Celebrates Partnerships that Advance Diplomacy and Development

Jun 9, 2016 10:25 AM ET

In my office’s public-private partnerships trainings, we often open with an ice-breaker in which we challenge groups of participants to complete a puzzle as a team, without the box top as a guide. As the groups attempt to finish the puzzle, they eventually realize that they are missing one crucial puzzle piece—and have an extra piece that doesn’t fit. Entrepreneurial team members are able to figure out that one puzzle piece has been switched with another group’s puzzle, and it’s only by trading those pieces that each puzzle can be completed.

Events, Media & Communications

Global Pro Bono Takes Center Stage at the 22nd Annual Leadership Development Conference

Jun 9, 2016 10:00 AM ET

Redefine “learning by doing” with proven methodologies to accelerate leadership development and do real work in the field. Learning and Leading By Doing Real Work in the Field, at The Conference Board’s 22nd Annual Leadership Development Conference, will bring together companies that are pioneering new talent development models to retain talent longer and increase employee engagement.

Research, Reports & Publications

Video – What Will We Build Today?

Jun 9, 2016 10:00 AM ET

Environment

National Geographic Recognizes Young Scientists, Engineers and Educators as 2016 Emerging Explorers

Jun 9, 2016 10:00 AM ET

The National Geographic Society has announced this year's class of Emerging Explorers, a group of scientists, conservationists and educators still early in their careers whose work is already pushing the boundaries of their chosen fields.

Events, Media & Communications

Sustainable Brands Community and Flagship Conference Heading to Detroit in 2017

Jun 9, 2016 10:00 AM ET

The largest global peer community of brand leaders and sustainability practitioners focused on advancing brand value creation through sustainability-led innovation is heading to Detroit, Michigan in 2017. Sustainable Brands® announces the next gathering point for its flagship event in the U.S. will be at the Cobo Center, May 22-25, 2017.

Research, Reports & Publications

Walmart | Priorities, Programs and Initiatives

Jun 9, 2016 9:00 AM ET

As a large global retailer, Walmart is working with others to use our strengths – our jobs, our purchase orders, our company voice, the convening power of our brand and our philanthropic investments – to create a more inclusive economic system that increases workforce mobility and economic growth in countries around the world.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Chicago Gets Jazzed Up New Orleans-Style With Oscar and Grammy Winning Artist Common for @NatlParkService Centennial Celebration

Jun 9, 2016 9:00 AM ET

On June 11, 2016, the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation will partner with Common to host the second event in the organizations’ Park Exchange Series, bringing the musical experience of New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park to Chicago. The public is invited to join the celebration of the National Park Service’s 100th anniversary in this innovative exchange that will highlight the diversity of park experiences and the breadth of our National Park System. This exchange is part of the #FindYourPark/#EncuentraTuParque centennial celebration for the National Park Service.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Tork Making Working Life Surprisingly Simple

Jun 9, 2016 8:55 AM ET

Social Impact & Volunteering

SuiteWorld Attendees Pack 86,000+ Meals for Children in the Developing World

Jun 9, 2016 8:00 AM ET

Over the course of SuiteWorld, NetSuite's annual customer conference, more than 600 attendees packed 86,832 meals which will be delivered to organizations serving youth in the developing world.

Research, Reports & Publications

Encouraging Tomorrow – Allianz’ Sustainability Report 2015

Jun 9, 2016 5:00 AM ET

“How can we ensure safety and progress in the midst of a transformation characterized by geopolitical tensions, our ageing societies, climate change, and digitalization? We can only do it together. We want to encourage and support you to actively help shape this transformation. To this end, we offer you our expertise in risk management, our resilience, and our integrity”, says Oliver Bäte, our Chairman of the Board.

Education

One Week After the Conflict Minerals Filings, Here's What We Know

Jun 8, 2016 8:50 PM ET

Transparency is the key to complete traceability in supply chain. When transparency increases, companies have better insights into where their products are coming from and how they’ve been made. Data is the key in supplier networks that provides greater data accuracy, clarity, and insights, leading to more contextual intelligence shared across supply chains.

Health & Healthcare

Sodexo Expanding Offers and Options for Students at Chapman University

Jun 8, 2016 5:25 PM ET

Sodexo, world leader in Quality of Life Services, is revitalizing resident dining at Chapman University this summer by redesigning space and expanding the menu at Randall Dining Commons. The renovations feature two new wellness stations and an outdoor patio that will create a welcoming environment and enhance the overall student experience.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Families in Houston, Chicago Join Aramark, American Heart Association Pilot for Healthy Eating

Jun 8, 2016 5:15 PM ET

Aramark and the American Heart Association (AHA) recognize that educating parents and heads of households about making healthy choices for their families is key to reversing an alarming trend toward obesity in both children and adults.

Environment

Duck, Duck, GOOSE! | Toyota Tagged to Receive Keystone Leadership in Environment Award

Jun 8, 2016 5:00 PM ET