ESG News from Leading Brands

Sustainable Development Goals

UN Global Compact Bulletin (May 2019)

May 29, 2019 9:15 AM ET

Nearly 40 Heads of State reaffirmed their commitment to the 2030 Agenda through a joint communiqué from the Leaders' Roundtable of the 2nd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation — calling on all market players to fulfill their corporate social responsibility and follow the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact. “We are delighted and encouraged by this endorsement of our Principles from world leaders,” said Lise Kingo. Read more »

Research, Reports & Publications

Pearson Releases 2018 Sustainability Report

May 29, 2019 9:00 AM ET

Pearson, the world’s learning company, today publishes its 2018 Sustainability Report, demonstrating ongoing progress in integrating social and environmental issues across the business and advancing equity in education.

A key element of Pearson’s business strategy is to help improve employability prospects through providing products and services that drive better learning outcomes. As sustainability is increasingly integrated into Pearson’s core business, employability for underserved groups and supporting sustainability skills are becoming areas of focus.

Energy

Freight Hauling Just Got Greener in the Golden State

May 29, 2019 9:00 AM ET

Hauling freight with big rigs in the Golden State just got greener, thanks to Penske Truck Leasing. The Pennsylvania-based company recently announced the installation of 14 fast charging stations for heavy-duty electric vehicle trucks at four Southern California facilities. Mike Marelli, vice president of Southern California Edison’s Business Customer Division, was on hand at a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the installation of the fast chargers at Penske’s La Mirada site.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Partnering for Our Communities: Biogen Foundation and Food for Free

May 29, 2019 9:00 AM ET

The Biogen Foundation teams up with Food For Free, a local non-profit based in Cambridge, Mass, to build and provide kitchen space, as well as Biogen employee volunteers to help with the program and make meals.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Aflac Awarded Gold at REGGIE Awards in Brand Purpose category

May 29, 2019 9:00 AM ET

On May 15 in Orlando, Florida, Aflac took home a Gold REGGIE Award from the Association of National Advertisers in the ANA Center for Brand Purpose category. The award entry focused on their childhood cancer campaign initiatives in 2018, largely supported by My Special Aflac Duck®. Nearly 70 awards were presented to top agencies and brands for the best brand activation marketing campaigns of 2018 across more than 20 categories.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Tetra Tech Recognized for the Albion Riverside Park Project

May 29, 2019 9:00 AM ET

The City of Los Angeles recognized Tetra Tech for its work on the civil engineering design of the Albion Riverside Park in Los Angeles, California. The City presented Tetra Tech’s project team with a certificate of recognition as part of the ribbon cutting ceremony for the park in March 2019. Tetra Tech’s work included pre-design, civil engineering design, and construction support services for the project.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Pro Bono Perspectives Podcast: Episode 22 - Susan Portugal, Bank of America

May 29, 2019 7:00 AM ET

Pro Bono Perspectives host and Common Impact CEO Danielle Holly speaks with Susan Portugal, SVP and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Director at Bank of America, who reflects on the challenges and excitement of integrating social purpose into existing business structures.

Research, Reports & Publications

Human Rights Reporting – New Management Briefing

May 29, 2019 6:00 AM ET

There’s increasing focus and attention, from several key stakeholder groups, on the need for greater transparency on human rights. In Ethical Corporation’s newly published management briefing they look at the rising reputational, legal and brand risks, and some of the companies that are leading the way in Human Rights reporting.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

CBRE Global Investors & BRE Partner on BREEAM to Drive Sustainability and Performance

May 28, 2019 5:45 PM ET

In a landmark new partnership, CBRE Global Investors (CBRE GI) and BRE will collaborate to implement BREEAM In-Use International 2015 (BIU) across the CBRE GI EMEA portfolio over a five year period. This signature project will be the first of its kind, where BRE and CBRE GI as the client will tender together to the BREEAM Assessor network, issuing a joint Request for Proposals (RFP). This new approach allows the huge volume of assessments to be managed more quickly and efficiently via a panel of assessors, all operating with high levels of experience and at scale.

Research, Reports & Publications

VIDEO | Meet Dr. Mary Battrell, Staff Veterinarian for Smithfield Foods

May 28, 2019 5:15 PM ET

Meet Dr. Mary Battrell, staff veterinarian for Smithfield Foods. Dr. Battrell has spent over 20 years ensuring that Smithfield’s animals are safe, comfortable, and healthy. Her motto is: "Every pig. Every pen. Every day. Food, water, comfort, care."

Innovation & Technology

Can VR Make Climate Change “Real”?

May 28, 2019 4:50 PM ET

From Greenland’s melting glaciers to endangered African elephants to the up-close effects of ocean acidification and dying coral reefs, immersive VR is bringing viewers inside the effects of climate change and closer to the beauty and the beasts of our planet that need saving.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Most Grass-Fed Beef Labeled ‘Product of U.S.A.’ Is Imported

May 28, 2019 4:30 PM ET

Even the impact of well-managed grazing systems is up for debate. On one hand, you have operations such as White Oak Pastures in Bluffton, Georgia, which focus on regenerative agriculture and a range of crops and animals, including grass-fed beef. White Oak is actually removing 3.5 kilograms of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere for every kilogram of beef it produces, according to a life-cycle analysis by Quantis commissioned by General Mills.

Sustainable Development Goals

NRG's Commitment to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

May 28, 2019 3:40 PM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Period Poverty Taskforce - Minister Announces Next Steps on Menstrual Hygiene Day

May 28, 2019 3:25 PM ET

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Partners in Purpose: Symantec Employees Build a Sustainable Business

May 28, 2019 3:15 PM ET

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change advises that failing to take urgent action to keep temperature rise below 2°C will result in untold negative impacts. In response, Symantec has set science-based targets, and have engaged their employees to help reduce the company's GHG emissions by at least 2.8% each year through 2033.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Michael Bloomberg Announces New Funding for “America’s Pledge” U.S. Climate Report to Counter Trump Administration’s Failure on Addressing Climate Crisis

May 28, 2019 3:15 PM ET

Today, Michael R. Bloomberg, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Climate Action, is doubling down on his commitment to support ongoing efforts at the state and local levels to combat the climate crisis as the current U.S. administration fails to act. Bloomberg will grant $2.3 million to the University of Maryland’s Center for Global Sustainability and the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) to evaluate and analyze current U.S. greenhouse gas emissions reductions.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Entrepreneurship Education Inspiring Second Chances

May 28, 2019 3:00 PM ET

At the maximum-security El Dorado Correctional Facility (EDCF) in rural El Dorado, Kansas, the prison is experimenting with a unique educational curriculum aimed at doing just that. It’s called Youth Entrepreneurs (YE), a program supported in part by Koch Industries that helps high school students discover their strengths and pursue their dreams. And now it’s poised to do the same for incarcerated adults.

Diversity & Inclusion

Booz Allen’s Dee Dee Helfenstein Shares Career Advice for the Next Generation of Women in Consulting

May 28, 2019 1:25 PM ET

What advice guides a successful trajectory for women in consulting? For Booz Allen Executive Vice President Dee Dee Helfenstein, it’s a quote by Maya Angelou: “People will forget what you said and forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” “I have always loved this quote as it is about the heart and making people feel valued, motivated, and supported,” Helfenstein said. “My advice for new leaders is to always remember to be fully present, to listen, to empower, and to inspire.”Helfenstein shared insights from two decades in consulting, plus stories from other “trailblazing, authentic female leaders,”.

Environment

Opinion: Let's Work Together for Michigan's Future

May 28, 2019 1:05 PM ET

The Detroit Regional Chamber’s 39th annual Mackinac Policy Conference is shining a spotlight on the major opportunities that our state is embracing. New political leadership at the state level and rapid evolution in our state’s automotive and high-tech industries make this a perfect time to focus in on Michigan’s priorities and future.The Mackinac Policy Conference brings people together from all walks of life. Currently, we are operating under a split government following a contentious election. The umbrella of "One Michigan" creates paths to prosperity for families and businesses to grow and thrive. When we bring Michigan together, there is nothing we can’t solve.

The three pillars of this year’s conference speak to those shared values and celebrate all that Michigan has to offer.

Research, Reports & Publications

Chevron Releases 2018 Corporate Responsibility Report Highlights

May 28, 2019 12:30 PM ET

Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX) today published its 2018 Corporate Responsibility Report Highlights focusing on the company’s achievements in environmental, social and governance performance. This year, Chevron’s corporate responsibility reporting emphasizes environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues of interest to its stakeholders — investors, customers, host governments, local communities and employees. It details Chevron’s actions to engage its diverse workforce; manage risks, including climate change; keep people healthy and safe; protect the environment; and respect human rights.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Scotiabank Continues Its Support of the SickKids-Caribbean Initiative with a New $1 Million Donation

May 28, 2019 12:25 PM ET

in support of the SickKids Herbie Fund, Scotiabank announced a new $1 million donation to support Phase Two of the SickKids-Caribbean Initiative, a project with a goal of helping to build a sustainable program to diagnose and treat paediatric cancer and serious blood disorders in the Caribbean. The initiative – in which Scotiabank is recognized as the Telemedicine Partner – connects doctors at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto with doctors in six countries in the Caribbean to help improve – and in many cases, save the lives of young people.

Diversity & Inclusion

Room for Inclusion

May 28, 2019 12:00 PM ET

Perhaps the most challenging aspect of life in this fast-paced, always connected world is maintaining a proper work/life balance. Fortunately, Whirlpool Corporation believes in the importance of this balance, and looks for ways to help employees achieve it.

Responsible Production & Consumption

LG Encourages American Consumers to 'Flip Your Fridge'

May 28, 2019 11:50 AM ET

ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year LG Electronics USA is encouraging consumers to “Flip Your Fridge” in a nationwide retail promotion that offers attractive discounts on ENERGY STAR certified LG refrigerators. On average, an old refrigerator uses nearly twice as much energy as a new ENERGY STAR refrigerator. An LG ENERGY STAR certified refrigerator generally uses less energy than a 60-watt light bulb, and replacing your old refrigerator with a new LG model that has earned the ENERGY STAR label could save you more than $300 over the next five years.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Comerica Bank Ranked Among Top Corporate Supporters of American Heart Association Detroit Heart Walk by Raising over $38,000

May 28, 2019 11:00 AM ET

Comerica Bank finished among the Top 4 companies supporting the American Heart Association’s 2019 Metro Detroit Heart and Stroke Walk/Run by contributing over $38,000 to help raise funding for break-through research. Additionally, Team Comerica captured the best overall honors in the Top Team category with a donation of $15,000.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Points of Light and The Starbucks Foundation Expand Innovative Service Model in 20 Cities Across the United States

May 28, 2019 10:00 AM ET

Points of Light, the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service, and The Starbucks Foundation announce the expansion of The Starbucks Foundation Service Fellows Program, an innovative service model inspired by national service.