ESG News from Leading Brands

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Walmart, Sam’s Club and Walmart.org Double Commitment for Spring Storm and Flood Disaster Relief in the Midwest and South, Bringing Total Support to $1 Million

Jun 3, 2019 12:05 PM ET

With rain and flooding continuing and expected to worsen across much of the Midwest and South, and communities in Ohio, Kansas, Missouri, Indiana, and Texas still experiencing ongoing relief needs due to the recent outbreak of tornados, Walmart, Sam’s Club and Walmart.org have committed to double the support provided so far this spring, bringing the total commitment to $1 million.

Energy

National Grid Launches First-of-Its-Kind Battery Storage System

Jun 3, 2019 12:05 PM ET

National Grid unveiled a new battery storage system in Pulaski, New York, that will reinforce electricity reliability for regional customers during periods of peak demand, and alleviate the need for traditional infrastructure upgrades and investments. State and local officials joined company representatives and project partner Aggreko for a ribbon-cutting event at National Grid’s East Pulaski substation. The installation is the first-of-its kind battery storage system in the company’s U.S. service area.

Diversity & Inclusion

Culture Spotlight with Cass Averill: Sometimes Being Excluded Has Lifelong Effects

Jun 3, 2019 11:45 AM ET

In today's Culture Spotlight, Cass A. shares stories of being excluded because he was obese as a kid, starting a transgender support group, what it really takes to be an ally, and how Symantec has supported his professional and personal journey over the last twelve years.

Environment

Practitioner Spotlight--Peter Masson

Jun 3, 2019 11:35 AM ET

Antea Group showcases Peter Masson, a consultant who is well-versed in environmental impact assessments and more.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Viacom Awards Employees Who Exemplify Volunteerism with the Viacommunity Awards

Jun 3, 2019 11:35 AM ET

Viacom’s Corporate Social Responsibility force has a simple mission – to better the communities which Viacom serves, and to make a positive social impact on the people and areas where we work and live. Each year Viacom employees nominate fellow employees who have done great work in the sphere of social good for the Viacommunity Awards. Through this award, employees are empowered to go out and promote change for a chance to win a $10,000 donation for a non-profit organization of their choice.

This year, the Viacommunity Awards honor Elena Nebiolo and Amy Eicher. Both embody the Viacommunity spirit and values of creative excellence, teamwork, opportunity and inclusion. Read on to learn more about their award-winning volunteerism and the causes they elevate year-round.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

India’s Largest Wine Producer Is Helping Its Customers Sip More Sustainably

Jun 3, 2019 11:20 AM ET

Last year, global wine production rose to near-record highs, reaching a harvest of 292.3 million hectoliters – that’s more than 7.7 billion gallons. In the U.S. alone, domestic and imported wine sales reached $70.5 billion. The world clearly loves wine.

But, few industries feel the perils of climate change more directly than the wine industry. And with temperatures expected to only become more extreme, wineries are being forced to consider the long-term risk a changing climate will have on their business.

Energy

Ecocentricity Blog: Pennies on the Dollar

Jun 3, 2019 11:15 AM ET

Fuel costs for electric vehicles kick the pants off of internal combustion engine vehicles (same goes for maintenance costs, by the way).

Research, Reports & Publications

Southern California Edison: How to Build EV-Ready Communities

Jun 3, 2019 10:45 AM ET

With more than 500,000 plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) on California’s roads,1 and millions more to come, many local officials understand that getting their communities EV-ready is not only a sustainability best practice but also an economic development opportunity. California is leading the EV adoption trend within the United States, with approximately half of all EVs on the road in the U.S. registered here.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

General Mills Foundation | FareShare Food Partner

Jun 3, 2019 10:30 AM ET

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Flipping the Narrative on Automation in the Workplace

Jun 3, 2019 10:10 AM ET

For years, the dominant "future of work" narrative has been one of divisions, contrasts, and competition. But what if there’s a counter-narrative? One where technology augments (not replaces) humans. One that’s less about skills training and more about nurturing human capabilities. And one where we partner across cultures, sectors, and continents to extend our capabilities.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Last Chance to Apply: Awards Deadline Extended

Jun 3, 2019 10:00 AM ET

The deadline for submitting nominations to Ethical Corporation’s 10th Annual Responsible Business Awards is extended to Thursday 13th June 2019. There are 15 categories up for winning. Winners and highly commended companies will be announced at the inaugural Awards ceremony on October 2nd at 8 Northumberland Avenue in London.

Green Infrastructure

PacifiCorp Names Black & Veatch As EPC Contractor for Combined Solar Power With Battery Energy Storage Project

Jun 3, 2019 10:00 AM ET

A new solar project in southern Utah is bringing together one of the West’s top utilities and a global leader in renewable energy projects to implement a combination of grid-scale battery storage and renewable power to address a transmission and distribution system reliability need.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

BCtA Member GiftedMom Wins Oslo Business for Peace Award

Jun 3, 2019 10:00 AM ET

Dr. Agbor Ashumanyi Ako, one of the co-founders of  Business Call to Action member GiftedMom, a digital health platform based in Cameroon that gives pregnant women and mothers across Africa access to vital health information and care, has been awarded the Oslo Business for Peace Award 2019.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Sesame Street and PSEG Foundation Partner for “Brave, Strong, Resilient”

Jun 3, 2019 9:45 AM ET

The PSEG Foundation partnered with Sesame Workshop to build on the emergency preparedness and response programs “Let’s Get Ready” and “Here for Each Other,” with a new program – “Brave, Strong, Resilient” – that will help children and families to cope with day-to-day challenges as well as emergency situations.

Environment

A Nature-Based Approach to Climate Change

Jun 3, 2019 9:30 AM ET

The Wellness Economy is one of the biggest industries today as many are looking for solutions to manage health and well-being. Pollution, manufactured goods, and other pressures are among some of the factors driving people to consider simpler, more natural options. Those same stresses are also impacting the health of the planet – so why not invest in the same type of care for the environment?

Environment

Banking on a More Sustainable Tomorrow

Jun 3, 2019 9:30 AM ET

In 2015, 170 countries agreed to work towards limiting the global average temperature to well below 2°C, a critical threshold identified during the Paris Climate Conference.1 While progress is being made, in the three years since the agreement, the United Nations has said that to meet this target countries must triple their current efforts.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Subaru and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) Continue to Spread Hope & Warmth to Cancer Patients Nationwide

Jun 3, 2019 9:00 AM ET

Subaru of America, Inc. and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), two organizations committed to positively impacting the communities where they live and work, have partnered once again to send hope, love and warmth to patients fighting cancer. With the goal of donating more simple comforts to more patients year after year, Subaru and LLS aim to achieve a new record in participation and donations during 2019 Subaru Loves to Care month in June.

Diversity & Inclusion

Interview With Megan Hanrahan, Structural Engineer

Jun 3, 2019 9:00 AM ET

Megan Hanrahan is a design engineer at Tetra Tech, specializing in structural engineering. She has a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from University of California, Irvine, and a master’s degree in Structural Engineering from University of California, Los Angeles. She passed the national PE exam and is currently in the application process for the California survey and seismic exams. We spoke with Megan as part of our #TtInspires campaign celebrating the passion of Tetra Tech employees. Follow #TtInspires on social media for more stories.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Young Leaders Recognized for Shaping Sustainable Business

Jun 3, 2019 9:00 AM ET

GreenBiz Group has announced the 2019 “GreenBiz 30 Under 30”, the fourth annual list of emerging leaders across sectors and countries who are shaping the next generation of sustainable business.

The honorees were nominated by GreenBiz readers around the world and selected by the GreenBiz editorial team from among hundreds of submissions. This year’s roster ranges from managers and directors to founders and CEOs — despite the differences in their industries and sectors, these young leaders are driving the change our world needs.

Innovation & Technology

Blackbaud President & CEO Mike Gianoni on How Digital Transformation Drives Performance for Social Good Organizations

Jun 3, 2019 8:00 AM ET

Blackbaud CEO Mike Gianoni discussed how social good leaders can champion digital transformation across their organizations for greater performance and impact on The sgENGAGE Podcast.

Diversity & Inclusion

LA Galaxy to Host Sixth Annual Pride Night

Jun 1, 2019 12:00 PM ET

AEG’s LA Galaxy will host their sixth annual Pride Night, one of the longest-running Pride Nights in professional sports, on Sunday, June 2 at 7:30 p.m. PT when the club hosts New England Revolution at Dignity Health Sports Park in a match presented by Spectrum SportsNet. The Galaxy will partner with the Los Angeles LGBT Center, the world’s largest LGBT organization, as part of its 50th anniversary celebration.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Book Excerpt — Purpose Power: How Mission-Driven Leaders Engage for Change

May 31, 2019 5:35 PM ET

Purpose Power provides inspiration for action. Whether you’re itching to start a movement, in the midst of building a mission-driven brand, or rebranding an organization with a storied history, this book will inspire you to imagine new possibilities. The book explains the Heptagon Method, a seven-step framework that helps you take big ideas from ideology to action. It instructs how you can motivate your allies to become advocates for your cause. Often, when you’re focused on sparking change, the natural instinct is to rush to action. This bias toward action and against analysis paralysis—the antithesis of enthusiasm and momentum—can be a real asset for organizations motivated to make a difference. But leaders should also be wary of haphazard action leading to inconsistent results. This boo

Social Impact & Volunteering

How a New Generation of Activists Is Changing the World

May 31, 2019 4:30 PM ET

Young people like Sweden’s 16-year-old Greta Thunberg, whose Fridays for Future climate change strikes are mobilizing students around the planet, are motivated, passionate and committed to solving the problems they see in the world around them. From Mari Copeny, a sixth-grader in Flint, Michigan, whose appeal to then-President Barack Obama got him to devote $100 million to fixing the city’s water crisis, to other young environmentalists like U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar’s 16-year-old daughter Isra Hirsi, today’s young people aren’t waiting for change to happen.

Education

Computational Thinking Helps Students Learn Language Basics in D.C. Public Schools

May 31, 2019 4:25 PM ET

Ignite My Future in School’s online lesson Speak My Language helps students demystify language learning and encourages them to use computational thinking methods to quickly learn the basics and speak their new language confidently. They do so by collecting and analyzing data, finding patterns, and identifying basic words and phrases. Ignite My Future in School is an initiative that combines the best of digital content, lesson plans, career vignettes, and professional learning to help teachers prepare their students for careers of the future.

Diversity & Inclusion

Smithfield Foods Awarded “Best for Vets” 2019 Employer Ranking

May 31, 2019 3:40 PM ET

Smithfield Foods, Inc., a global food company and the world’s largest pork processor and hog producer, announced today its recognition by Military Times in the publication’s Best for Vets Employers 2019 rankings. The rankings, awarded during National Military Month, recognize companies for their efforts to recruit and support service members, veterans, and military families.