ESG News from Leading Brands

Sustainable Development Goals

Video: Essity's Approach to the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Jan 30, 2019 8:30 AM ET

At Essity we believe that the work aimed at fulfilling the SDGs will make the world a little better at the same time as they create good business opportunities for companies around the world. Not least in the fields of health, hygiene and sanitation, where we have outstanding expertise. We at Essity are determined to do what we can to contribute to achieving the 17 SDGs.

Health & Healthcare

SC Johnson to Support Development of 40 New Health Posts in Rural Rwanda

Jan 30, 2019 8:25 AM ET

SC Johnson today announced plans to support the development of an additional 40 health posts throughout Rwanda, expanding access to health care and malaria education for more than 200,000 people. This expands on the company’s 2018 investment, which established 10 health posts in rural Rwanda in July, bringing the total to 50.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Sodexo Named as a Top Company for Remote Jobs

Jan 30, 2019 8:00 AM ET

Sodexo, a food services and facilities management company, announced today the organization’s placement on the FlexJobs list of the Top 100 Companies to Watch for Remote Jobs in 2019. For the fourth consecutive year, Sodexo was recognized for the number of opportunities available on its job board that allowed telecommuting as an option, either full- or part-time.

Energy

See How Sappi Improved Its Emissions Last Year

Jan 29, 2019 4:40 PM ET

The following offers a view of our annual performance in important areas of environmental and social responsibility. We monitor key metrics for fiber, emissions, energy usage and the impact of our operations on air, water and solid waste. We use this data to set improvement goals for our operations and interactions with key stakeholders.

Events, Media & Communications

2019 CSR and Sustainability Conferences Guide

Jan 29, 2019 4:30 PM ET

Your go-to resource for CSR (and CSR-related) conferences in 2019 is here! Gather knowledge and come together with other passionate CSR practitioners – take your next step to change the world. ­

Diversity & Inclusion

Procter and Gamble's Marc Pritchard & The Female Quotient's Shelley Zalis Discuss the Road to 2020

Jan 29, 2019 3:55 PM ET

Innovation & Technology

Happy New Year: A Reflection on 2018 Wins and 2019 Opportunities

Jan 29, 2019 3:45 PM ET

2018 was another excellent year for PayPal. From how we serve our customers, to our position in the market, to our products, to the development and progress of our people, we have grown and are stronger in every single area of our business.

Energy

Edison International: Saving Solar and Wind

Jan 29, 2019 2:30 PM ET

New battery projects store renewable energy for later use while improving power quality and reliability.

Research, Reports & Publications

Corporate Clean Energy Buying Surged to New Record in 2018

Jan 29, 2019 2:30 PM ET

Corporations bought a record amount of clean energy through power purchase agreements, or PPAs, in 2018, shattering the previous record set in 2017. Highlights included a wave of smaller corporate energy buyers aggregating their purchases, and the first corporate clean energy power purchase agreements in markets such as Poland.

Events, Media & Communications

Global Brands Converge in Detroit for the Largest Sustainability-Led Innovation Event

Jan 29, 2019 2:15 PM ET

The parade of new technologies and scientific breakthroughs have the potential to redefine global brands and improve quality of life. From June 3-6, 2019, Sustainable Brands® will host their flagship event, SB’19 Detroit, with BASF as the presenting sponsor, at Cobo Center to Deliver the Good Life of the Future

Energy

ExxonMobil and Shell Lead an Industry Divide on Trump Climate Rollback

Jan 29, 2019 2:00 PM ET

As EPA considers issuing an even more extreme, second proposal to eliminate methane regulation, some industry responses include promising signs of leadership that underscore just how out of step this administration’s attacks have been.

Energy

How Bloomberg, Cox, Gap Inc., Salesforce and Workday Combined Clout to Buy Clean Power

Jan 29, 2019 12:35 PM ET

Sometimes, five heads are better than one.

One common concern among corporate energy teams at midmarket businesses is that they don’t procure enough electricity or have enough lawyers to take on the risks of a power purchase agreement. That’s why five companies with varying levels of experience in renewable energy procurement are getting together to contract for about half the generating capacity of a 100-megawatt North Carolina solar farm.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

General Mills: The Power of Food for Good

Jan 29, 2019 12:30 PM ET

General Mills Serves the World by Making Food People Love. But that’s not the only way we serve. We serve by harnessing the power of food for good. Learn more in this video.

Environment

Hallmark's DaySpring Greeting Cards Business Achieves Zero-Waste to Landfill Status

Jan 29, 2019 11:50 AM ET

2017 marked the fifth straight year that DaySpring, a Hallmark Greetings business, has achieved “zero waste to landfill” status at their facility in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. They have found alternate ways to process waste generated by DaySpring operations, either by recycling or burning at a waste-to-energy facility.

Innovation & Technology

DNA Testing Is Popular, But Many Are Unaware of Privacy Concerns

Jan 29, 2019 11:30 AM ET

Genetic testing is a booming business. The global DNA testing market is set to reach over $10 billion by 2022, according to a study by Grand View Research. More than 12 million Americans have already sent their DNA to be analyzed by companies like 23andMe and AncestryDNA. And that number is rising: AncestryDNA sold about 1.5 million testing kits between Black Friday and Cyber Monday last year. With the top testing companies advertising holiday specials on their websites, there’s no doubt these kits will be found in many a stocking again this season. But as DNA testing continues to grow in popularity, a key concern is often ignored: privacy.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Subaru of Indiana Automotive Foundation Awards More Than $90,000 in Grants to 12 Indiana Nonprofit Organizations

Jan 29, 2019 11:30 AM ET

During a ceremony at Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA), 12 Indiana nonprofit organizations were awarded capital grants totaling more than $90,000 by the SIA Foundation. Since its establishment in 1997, the SIA Foundation has awarded more than $1.5 million to fund nonprofit projects across Indiana. Recipients at today’s event represented Dearborn, Lake, Marion, Porter, Putnam and Tippecanoe counties.

Innovation & Technology

Delos and KB Home Partner to Deliver Cutting-Edge Healthy Home Technology to the U.S. Home Market

Jan 29, 2019 11:10 AM ET

Delos™, a wellness real estate and technology firm based in New York, and KB Home (NYSE: KBH), one of the largest homebuilders in the United States, today announced a collaboration to introduce Wellness Homes to new homebuyers. KB Home plans to offer Delos’ DARWIN Home Wellness Intelligence Network in select KB Home communities in the California market, ahead of an envisioned national rollout.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Ethical Apparel Africa Selected for London Stock Exchange Group’s 'Companies to Inspire Africa 2019' Report

Jan 29, 2019 11:05 AM ET

Ethical Apparel Africa is a sourcing company working to catalyze a sustainable growth path for the emerging apparel sector in West Africa. As brands look to grow their manufacturing base in Africa, EAA provides end to end production management support: expert technical guidance, independent quality control, sourcing, logistics, and compliance assurance.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Wells Fargo Contributes $350,000 for Boston-Area Housing, Revitalization Efforts

Jan 29, 2019 11:00 AM ET

Wells Fargo is donating $350,000 to help Boston-area aspiring homeowners with homeownership counseling and financial education through the #NeighborhoodLIFT program. Grants are being awarded to Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance and Roxbury Center for Financial Empowerment.

Environment

EHS Global Moments: Philippines Safety Officer Requirements

Jan 29, 2019 10:20 AM ET

Antea Group’s new blog series, EHS Global Moments, discusses the Philippines’ regulations requiring trained Safety Officers in lower-risk workplaces.

Environment

4 Ways Collaboration Can Get Companies on CDP’s "A List"

Jan 29, 2019 10:20 AM ET

Last week, CDP recognized companies for leading on climate change. Around 127 brands received an “A” grade – 2% of reporting companies – while the others were stamped with B’s, C’s and D’s.

Responsible Production & Consumption

J.Crew Group Inc. Puts Factory Employees First With New Fair Trade Certified Denim

Jan 29, 2019 10:10 AM ET

Today, Fair Trade USA announces the beginning of a long-term partnership with the J.Crew Group and the introduction of J.Crew and Madewell’s first-ever Fair Trade Certified™ collection. The Fair Trade partnership represents the J.Crew Group’s deepening commitment to sustainability through establishing a supply chain that prioritizes both people and the planet.

Environment

Environmentally Preferred Sourcing Powers Up Sustainability in Healthcare

Jan 29, 2019 10:10 AM ET

HPRC blogs about environmentally preferred sourcing which reduces the impact of the healthcare industry on the environment.

Education

How We Use a Shipping Container to Spark Scientific Curiosity

Jan 29, 2019 10:05 AM ET

"How can students get excited about science if they don't have access to the resources?" asks science education promoter Daniel Sherling. Answer? Bring the fun science to schools — with a mobile science lab meant to encourage engaged, dynamic learning!

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

KeyCorp Named One of World’s 100 Most Sustainable Companies

Jan 29, 2019 10:00 AM ET

KeyCorp (NYSE: KEY) has been named one of the world’s most sustainable companies by Corporate Knights, a research firm that produces rankings and financial product ratings based on corporate sustainability performance. Key’s is ranked #51 on the Global 100 list, driven by its sustainable practices, renewable energy portfolio, and gender diversity on its Board and in its executive leadership ranks. Key is one of only four U.S. based banks to make the list this year.