ESG News from Leading Brands

Research, Reports & Publications

The Faculty Member Who Fights Fake News – Erb Institute Faculty Andy Hoffman in La Nación

Feb 26, 2019 11:00 AM ET

Energy

The Intersection of Politics & Energy Policy

Feb 26, 2019 11:00 AM ET

The intersection of Politics and Energy Policy is a busy one. Unfortunately, not everyone agrees on the traffic signals and, as a result, there’s a lot of gridlock. Even as scientists warn that world leaders are running out of time to take comprehensive action on climate change, some politicians are still debating the existence of the problem. Across the globe, the carbon-free-future campaigners are in a tug of war with the fossil-fuel advocates. Bold plans set in motion by one administration are postponed or cancelled by the next. In 2019, energy buyers must remain alert in tracking political developments, as well as traditional concerns about energy security, and trade policies and sanctions, for example, to understand the impact on energy markets.

Environment

7 Basic Steps for Conducting a Successful Materiality Assessment

Feb 26, 2019 10:45 AM ET

If you’re considering conducting a materiality assessment, read Antea Group’s blog for 7 basic steps that should be a part of your initiative.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Unique Paper Program Benefits Charity, One Ream at a Time

Feb 26, 2019 10:15 AM ET

Since 2014, Millcraft’s Buy & Give paper program has given its business customers a way to support local charities through their purchase of Buy & Give paper. Each Buy & Give box is custom made by Domtar with private label wrapping and packaging, and then is filled with Domtar private label office paper. For each carton purchased through the paper program, Millcraft donates $1 to charity.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Technology Advancements Boost Traceability in the Food Sector

Feb 26, 2019 10:00 AM ET

In cases of widespread foodborne illness, like last year’s E. coli outbreak linked to romaine lettuce, the next step is to determine where along the food supply chain the contamination occurred. That’s where food traceability—the ability to trace a product through every step in the supply chain, from point of origin to final retail location—comes into play.

Energy

General Motors Partners With DTE on Wind Energy in Michigan

Feb 26, 2019 9:05 AM ET

As part of its commitment to increasing its renewable energy footprint globally and finding clean energy solutions near its operations, General Motors has partnered with DTE Energy for 300,000 megawatt hours (MWh) of wind energy in the state of Michigan. Once complete, the energy sourced will be enough to power 100 percent of the electricity needs of GM’s global technical center in Warren and its Detroit-based operations at the Renaissance Center. The 300,000 MWh are equivalent to the amount of power consumed by nearly 30,000 U.S. households per year.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Verizon Joins with First Responder Foundation to Expand Services to Public Safety

Feb 26, 2019 9:00 AM ET

First responders put their lives at risk daily, and Verizon supports these heroes. That’s why we recently made a $10,000 investment to the First Responders Foundation that will help expand and grow the Foundation, serving more first responders.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Xylem Watermark Partners with the Water Well Trust to Bring Clean Water to 24 Households in Holly Ridge, NC

Feb 26, 2019 9:00 AM ET

This past summer, the Water Well Trust partnered with Xylem Watermark to launch its largest project to date outside of Ashville in Holly Ridge, NC. The small town of 24 households relied on 3 deteriorating wells as its water source and did not have access to clean water. Xylem Watermark worked with local distributors, and together they assessed the site and installed 3 new well houses, which provided all 24 households access to clean, safe water. The project involved rehabilitating the wells, which cost $45,336—$3 million less than it would have cost for the households to connect to the local municipal system. Xylem Watermark is thrilled to have taken part in this project.

Education

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Announces SEEDS Hands-on Curriculum to Get More Children Learning, Growing in the Garden

Feb 26, 2019 8:45 AM ET

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation recently announced the launch of Gro More Good, a national initiative that will bring the life-enhancing benefits of gardens and greenspaces to 10 million children over the next five years. As part of Gro More Good, the Foundation is now offering a curriculum designed to help parents, caregivers, and educators engage more children in hands-on learning opportunities in the garden.

Innovation & Technology

Meet the Johnson & Johnson Engineer Who's Giving Back to His Home Country—One Computer at a Time

Feb 26, 2019 8:40 AM ET

Environment

An Ocean of Tweets Can Do the Ocean Some Good

Feb 26, 2019 8:40 AM ET

As it champions the critical need to end ocean bound plastic waste, consumer products leader SC Johnson is offering a new challenge. Having already sponsored eight plastic recycling centers in Indonesia, the company will build an additional one if social media dialogue raises the profile of recycling and Social Plastic®.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

How Impact Investing Can Change Our Relationship With Money

Feb 26, 2019 8:35 AM ET

Millennials see investment decisions as a way to express their social, political and environmental values. With CNote, we make investing simple and impactful. Our members’ money works towards revitalizing communities; building affordable housing; and getting women and minorities business loans.

Events, Media & Communications

Sixty Global CEOs Convene on Corporate Purpose, Connection to Society

Feb 26, 2019 8:30 AM ET

Sixty CEOs who are a part of Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose (CECP) –a coalition of 250 of the world’s largest companies that represent more than $6.6 trillion in revenues, $21.2 billion in social investment, 14 million employees, and $15 trillion in assets under management–met at CECP’s Board of Boards to examine critical success factors in building the business for the long-term.

Responsible Production & Consumption

New Holland Agriculture and Case IH Facilities Achieve Incident-free Milestone of Three Million Work Hours

Feb 26, 2019 8:25 AM ET

New Holland Agriculture and Case IH facilities achieve three million incident-free work hours. The safety milestone is an example of the Company’s overall commitment to sustainability, as the safety and welfare of employees are key components of a sustainable operation.

Events, Media & Communications

The TriplePundit Flash: The 3 Stories You Need to Know, 2/26

Feb 26, 2019 8:00 AM ET

Welcome to the TriplePundit flash, for which every Monday we will give you a quick rundown of the stories the editors at 3p think you need to know.

Environment

SCS Global Services Partners With Climate Collaborative as Solutions Provider

Feb 26, 2019 8:00 AM ET

The Climate Collaborative, a joint project of the Sustainable Food Trade Association (SFTA) and OSC2, announced today that SCS Global Services is now recognized as an official Solutions Provider partner. SCS is a leading international third-party certifier and standards developer, and a pioneer in the climate and sustainability arena. In its role as Solutions Provider, SCS will share its insights and support the efforts of the Climate Collaborative and its network of committed companies, an influential roster of climate-focused natural and organic food industry companies who are committed to undertaking bold action on behalf of climate and the environment. Read more here...

Innovation & Technology

HP Labs Explores a New Approach to Immersive Content Creation and Consumption

Feb 26, 2019 8:00 AM ET

After discussions with teammates Mary Baker and Eric Faggin, Jun developed a personalized, and now more comfortable, virtual space that featured copies and scans of real world items. It's blending of real and virtual worlds prompted Jun to think about other situations in which that kind of intermixing might have value. She quickly identified education as a promising area of exploration.

Environment

Smithfield Foods Achieves Industry-Leading Environmental Commitment by Engaging Grain Supply Chain in Sustainable Farming Practices

Feb 25, 2019 5:40 PM ET

Smithfield Foods, Inc. is pleased to announce that it has successfully engaged 80 percent of its grain supply chain, which is used to feed the company’s hogs, in farming practices that are both sustainable and reduce the cost of production for grain farmers. This exceeded the company’s original goal of 75 percent. In 2018, Smithfield purchased grain from producers who use efficient fertilizer and soil health methods across approximately 560,000 acres of land.

Health & Healthcare

Want to Keep Your Heart Healthy? Listen to What This Cardiothoracic Surgeon Has to Say

Feb 25, 2019 3:40 PM ET

Diversity & Inclusion

Celebrating Black History Month

Feb 25, 2019 2:15 PM ET

Today and every day, I salute all the quiet voices like Henrietta Lacks, who will never be formally recognized for her contribution to modern day medicine, but will always play a role with impacting our future. I also salute those like Angela Rye, who have the voice and courage to narrate and raise the volume on injustice in the world. There are countless others who are paving the way or have paved by leaving an indelible mark, not just for Black History, but American History.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

LG Recognized Among World's Top 100 Most Sustainable Corporations

Feb 25, 2019 2:00 PM ET

LG Electronics (LG) has been named one of the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations by Corporate Knights for a fifth year. LG also just earned the Gold Class distinction in RobecoSAM’s 2019 Sustainability Yearbook.

Health & Healthcare

UGA Miracle raises $1.1M for Children’s Healthcare

Feb 25, 2019 1:50 PM ET

Aflac is proud to support The Aflac Cancer Center and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Dance Marathons. Kudos to the students at the University of Georgia for their commitment to helping children with challenging health issues.

Diversity & Inclusion

UN Women and Procter & Gamble Announce Newest Commitment to Gender Equality Across the Indian Subcontinent, Middle East and Africa Region at the #WeSeeEqual Summit

Feb 25, 2019 1:50 PM ET

Health & Healthcare

Walmart Committed in Fight Against Opioids

Feb 25, 2019 1:20 PM ET

The abuse of and addiction to prescription opioids is a serious public health issue. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, more than 2 million people in the United States suffer from substance use disorders related to prescription opioid pain relievers. The health and safety of our patients is a critical priority; that’s why we’re taking an active role in the fight against our nation’s opioid issue – one that has affected so many families and communities across America.

Events, Media & Communications

JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes Presents the Airline’s Long-Term Environmental Social Governance Strategy to Investors at the Sixth Annual CECP: The CEO Force for Good Investor Forum

Feb 25, 2019 1:00 PM ET

Today, JetBlue’s CEO Robin Hayes will present the highlights of the airline’s environmental, social, governance (ESG) strategy and plan to leading institutional investors at the Strategic Investor Initiative’s sixth annual CEO Force For Good Investor Forum. As part of Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose (CECP), a coalition of more than 200 corporations collectively representing $7 trillion in annual revenue, Hayes will share JetBlue’s plan to drive higher margins and returns through initiatives such as fuel savings and more efficient technology.