Ceres and the PRI announced today a new partnership to tackle widespread, global deforestation driven by escalating production of beef, soy and timber, focusing initially on South America. Through a new, joint investor group, the two organizations will support global institutional investors pressing food and timber companies to eliminate deforestation and other related concerns, including forced labor and land rights disputes from their supply chains.
The interest in sustainable investing continues to rise in the mainstream investment community. Numerous data & analytics providers, ratings & rankings organizations, and other influentials are busily shaping new approaches in and for the mainstream investment community. Corporate “ESG” factors are an important addition to the ubiquitous Bloomberg terminals, as example (i.e. the ESG Dashboard). Mainstream asset managers -- notably BlackRock, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, State Street, and others -- are putting sustainable investment approaches in place and launching new products for clients that are demanding “investable” vehicles for “doing well and doing good” with their assets.
At the core of corporate social responsibility (CSR) exists the belief that companies should practice ethical behavior. One indication of ethical behavior is a commitment to diversity. As part of their CSR, companies should ensure that underrepresented groups have not only a voice, but the opportunity to thrive — both in their companies and within their respective communities.
Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) has donated more than $70 million over four years in support of military servicemembers, veterans and their families through housing initiatives, career transition programs, financial education, foundation donations, and event sponsorships. 2016 highlights include grants to improve homeless veteran housing, strategic support for veteran-founded startup companies, hiring veterans for internships within Wells Fargo Securities, and support for nonprofit programs that improve the lives of veterans with disabilities.
Curtis Granderson, who this week was presented with the Marvin Miller Man of the Year by his peers as part of the 25th annual Players Choice Awards, had no sooner left the MLB Network studio from which the awards show was broadcast before returning to his mission of ending food insecurity in impoverished neighborhoods.
Environment, health and safety (EHS) programs can do more for your company than simply checking off compliance boxes. EHS can also be an integral part of your company’s culture, demonstrating to employees that their happiness, health and safety is a priority—leading to more productivity and a more proactive approach to minimizing risk. Even in low risk environments, like offices or retail settings, environment, health and safety considerations are important to a successful organization. After all, low risk doesn’t mean no risk.
Sodexo, world leader in Quality of Life Services, helps communities succeed by focusing on the sustainability of its supply chain from farm to fork. The global facilities management and food services provider, which operates locally within each community to purchase food and produce from thousands of local suppliers, farms, bakeries and dairy farms announced today that it spent more than $600 million on local sourcing during FY 2015 in North America, to include $36 million procuring goods from over 1,400 local farmers and co-ops.