ESG News from Leading Brands

Diversity & Inclusion

5 Questions with Rohini Anand, Ph.D., SVP, Corporate Responsibility & Global Chief Diversity Office, Sodexo

May 24, 2016 12:30 PM ET

Dr. Rohini Anand, Sodexo’s Global Chief Diversity Officer, has spent her career promoting diversity and inclusion. She’s been leading the charge at Sodexo for the past thirteen years. In honor of the United Nation’s World Day for Cultural Diversity, we spoke with Dr. Anand about the challenges of promoting diversity at a company that works in 80 countries around the world.

Environment

Kids Learn About STEM from the Environment

May 24, 2016 12:15 PM ET

More than 4,000 kids are participating in a new environmental education initiative that’s helping them learn about STEM subjects through a green lens.

Health & Healthcare

The Challenges of Aging-In-Place

May 24, 2016 12:00 PM ET

As we continue the conversation around the housing crisis facing our aging population, it is vital that we also consider the aging-in-place needs of individuals with limited income.

Environment

Ecocentricity Blog: A Request

May 24, 2016 11:30 AM ET

I want to ask you for something, and I promise that I won’t ask for this but once per year.

Environment

News Brief: Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Renews TXR050000

May 24, 2016 11:20 AM ET

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is in the process of renewing the TPDES Multi-Sector General Permit for storm water discharges from industrial facilities, TXR050000. The current permits are schedule to expire on August 14, 2016. Renewal will require the submission of a new Notice of Intent (NOI) and permit fee. Based upon the draft permit issued by the TCEQ, significant changes to the current storm water discharge regulations/requirements are not anticipated.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Passengers Thanked as Life Changing P&O Pacific Partnership Surpasses First Million Dollars in Funding

May 24, 2016 11:00 AM ET

As strong evidence of life changing commitment to island communities, the P&O Pacific Partnership has surpassed its first one million dollars in total funding.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Astellas Teams Up with The Chris Klug Foundation on the Bounce Back Award to Recognize Extraordinary Transplant Recipients

May 24, 2016 11:00 AM ET

Astellas, in collaboration with the Chris Klug Foundation (CKF), today announced its sponsorship of the third annual Bounce Back Award. Nominations are now being accepted for the award, which will recognize two transplant recipients who exhibit a great post-transplant quality of life, whether it is a career accomplishment, participation in a sport or hobby, or simply leading a fulfilling life with family and loved ones.

Energy

Energy Savings Checklist for Your Compressed Air System

May 24, 2016 10:35 AM ET

The most expensive component in the total cost of compressed air—including capital costs and service and maintenance costs—is energy consumption. In fact, over the lifespan of a compressor, energy typically costs several times more than the purchase price of the compressor. Thus, maximizing energy efficiency saves money, while also contributing positively to the environment.

Green Infrastructure

RPI and ESG on the Up-and-Up

May 24, 2016 10:25 AM ET

Responsible Property Investment (RPI) is an approach to property investing that incorporates environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors alongside conventional financial goals. RPI strategies generally seek long term sustainable returns whilst also addressing environmental and social performance.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

America’s Charities and the Center for Disaster Philanthropy Launch Innovative Disaster Recovery Fund

May 24, 2016 10:25 AM ET

America’s Charities, the leader in workplace giving and philanthropy, and the Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP), a trailblazer in the transformation of disaster giving, have partnered to enable strategic, long-term disaster recovery and increase social impact. Marked by the launch of their new fund, the America’s Charities Disaster Recovery Fund presented by Center for Disaster Philanthropy, they are working to help donors more effectively respond to the life cycle of disasters by driving dollars to the nonprofits who are meeting long-term needs.

Environment

Robin McDowell: Exposing Modern Slavery

May 24, 2016 10:15 AM ET

Human slavery. Many of us think of it as a terrible chapter of US history that ended in the 19th century. But, according to the United Nations, slavery is a modern reality for roughly 27 to 30 million human beings living, right now. Our guest today on Sea Change Radio is Associated Press reporter, Robin McDowell, who, along with three colleagues, recently won a Pulitzer Prize, for her team’s exposé of slavery practices in the Southeast Asian seafood industry.

Events, Media & Communications

Business Leaders Convene to Discuss Corporate Societal Engagement as The New Competitive Advantage

May 24, 2016 10:15 AM ET

The CEO Force for Good will convene the 2016 CECP Summit: The New Competitive Advantage, bringing together leading practitioners in the field of corporate societal engagement to share powerful insights on trends and the business case to advance companies’ role in solving global challenges. CECP is a coalition of more than 200 companies and CEOs united in the belief that societal improvement is an essential measure of business performance.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Asahi Kasei: Investing in Inclusive Growth

May 24, 2016 9:35 AM ET

Asahi Kasei, one of Japan’s leading manufactures of fiber products and chemicals, has joined the Business Call to Action (BCtA), committing to enhance the skills and productivity of 5,240 employees in the cupro fiber industry, and develop the capacity of 700 young people – especially women – to lead the industry in the future. With its focus on sustainable livelihoods for women and youth, Asahi Kasei is dedicated to building an inclusive cupro-fiber value chain in India by 2020.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Human Rights Campaign Recognizes Ingersoll Rand on Equality Index

May 24, 2016 9:30 AM ET

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index (CEI) is the nationally recognized benchmarking report for businesses to gauge their performance in adopting inclusive policies, practices and benefits for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees. Ingersoll Rand is one of the record 321 Fortune 500-sized businesses listed in 2015.

Education

Meet Nathalie Mattys from Belgium

May 24, 2016 9:20 AM ET

Health & Healthcare

Freeport-McMoRan Provides $130,000 Grant for Healthcare Services in the Santa Cruz Valley Area in Arizona

May 24, 2016 9:15 AM ET

Going Home with Care is a program developed by Valley Assistance Services for patients discharged from the Green Valley Hospital. The program provides follow-up care including driving services and in-home nursing care. The program serves residents who live in Sahuarita, Green Valley, Amado, Arivaca, Tubac and Tumacacori.

Research, Reports & Publications

AEP Releases 2016 Corporate Accountability Report

May 24, 2016 9:00 AM ET

American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP) has released its 2016 Corporate Accountability Report, an overview of the company’s strategy, governance and financial performance.

Research, Reports & Publications

1st Global Sustainability Report Details Progress of Ambitious Corporate Initiative

May 24, 2016 5:00 AM ET

C&A announces the publication of its first Global Sustainability Report. The launch of the Report details C&A’s 2015 progress toward the 2020 goals, launched last year. The 2020 goals marked an ambitious new global sustainability commitment and strategic framework for C&A.

Innovation & Technology

Bringing Careers into Classrooms Through Technology

May 23, 2016 8:35 PM ET

A recent Gallup poll of 1 million students in the U.S. found that only half report feeling engaged in school and one-fifth are actively disengaged. The poll showed engagement levels decline significantly as students get older, bottoming out in 11th grade.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Action Team Provides Ideal Outlet for This Youth Volunteer

May 23, 2016 6:10 PM ET

During my sophomore year of high school I spent a week at a work camp in the rural mountains of western Virginia where we repaired houses for low-income families who had fallen into hard times.

Energy

Black & Veatch Partners with FirstElement Fuel as EPC Contractor for the First Hydrogen Fueling Station Network in U.S. History

May 23, 2016 5:00 PM ET

Black & Veatch and FirstElement Fuel Inc. are working to rapidly bring hydrogen fueling stations to consumers in California who want a zero emission option for their cars. FirstElement Fuel selected Black & Veatch to engineer, permit and construct 19 hydrogen refueling stations across California.

Responsible Production & Consumption

EU Conflict Minerals - What Have We Learned?

May 23, 2016 4:00 PM ET

While the three parties continued to negotiate over mandatory vs. voluntary reporting, the Dutch presidency highlighted their proposed system for a dynamic reporting scheme as a resolution to this disagreement.

Innovation & Technology

Cindy Ortega: The Ranch's Influence in Her Journey to Sustainability

May 23, 2016 3:30 PM ET

Research, Reports & Publications

Snapshot of the Emerging Trends in Corporate Sustainability Management

May 23, 2016 3:00 PM ET

NAEM’s 2016 Planning for a Sustainable Future benchmarks progress on the new initiatives that are on the minds of, if not yet in the budgets of those directing sustainability at leadership companies.

Environment

A Step-By-Step Guide to Making Your Company Landfill-Free

May 23, 2016 2:15 PM ET

Follow these nine suggestions to transform your business into a zero waste facility. They’ll help the environment – and make your employees happier.