ESG News from Leading Brands

Environment

Smithfield Addresses the Hog Industry’s Vulnerability to Climate Change

Oct 30, 2018 11:45 AM ET

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

New Study on Financial Inclusion, the 2018 Global Microscope, Shows Countries in Latin America and Asia Provide the Best Environments for Financial Progress

Oct 30, 2018 11:30 AM ET

The Global Microscope on Financial Inclusion, now in its 11th year, is a benchmarking index that assesses the enabling environment for financial access in 55 countries. The 2018 Global Microscope underscores the evolving landscape of financial inclusion itself. This year’s index was completely revised to take a forward-looking focus on digital financial services, and to address the critical role of financial inclusion envisioned in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Kohler Co.’s Innovation For Good Program Recognized as Changemaker with 2018 Mahatma Award

Oct 30, 2018 11:15 AM ET

Kohler Co. has been presented with a 2018 Mahatma Award for Social Good for its “Innovation for Good” (IfG) efforts. Laura Kohler, Senior Vice President-Human Resources, Stewardship & Sustainability for Kohler Co., accepted the award on behalf of IfG and Kohler Co. in New York City during the recently held UN General Assembly.

The Mahatma Awards for Social Good spotlight changemakers and are awarded annually to individuals or organizations committed to addressing complex social issues like safe water, sanitation, disease, poverty and hunger.

Kohler’s Innovation for Good program is an innovation incubator focused on developing and implementing sustainable business solutions to address some of the most pressing problems related to safe water, safe sanitation and reliable power.

Health & Healthcare

Helping Nonprofits Within the Food System Tap Into Pro Bono

Oct 30, 2018 11:10 AM ET

Environment

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Helps Orca to Expand ‘Living Lagoon’ Program to St. Lucie County to Promote Water Improvement in the Indian River Lagoon

Oct 30, 2018 10:50 AM ET

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation and Ocean Research & Conservation Association (ORCA) today announced a new Living Lagoon School Program partnership. The partnership will expand access to hands-on programs for middle-school students living near the Indian River Lagoon in Florida’s Treasure Coast region.

Media & Communications

FSB Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosure Considers the Dramatic Contents of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

Oct 30, 2018 10:35 AM ET

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was organized by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in 1988 (30 years ago!) to provide a “clear scientific view of the current state of knowledge in climate change and its potential environmental and socio-economic impacts”.

Events, Media & Communications

Alexander “Sandy” Taft Joins Sappi North America as Director of Sustainability

Oct 30, 2018 10:05 AM ET

Sappi North America, Inc., a leading producer and supplier of diversified paper, packaging products and dissolving wood pulp, today announced the appointment of Alexander “Sandy” Taft as director of sustainability.

Events, Media & Communications

Pro Bono Perspectives Podcast: Episode 7 - Tim Smith, The Boston Foundation and Pledge 1% Boston

Oct 30, 2018 10:05 AM ET

We are so excited to welcome Tim Smith, Senior Director of The Boston Foundation and Head of Pledge 1% Boston chapter, powered by The Boston Foundation to Pro Bono Perspectives this week. In his day-to-day work with The Boston Foundation, Tim advises individuals and companies in the region on a variety of philanthropic offerings including Donor Advised Funds.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Refining Honey Production Through Investing in Bee Houses

Oct 30, 2018 9:35 AM ET

“When we decided to build a bee house, fellow community members thought it was impractical and unwise. But since we saw a snippet of its advantages during a tour in Western Uganda, nothing would deter us from pursuing this new venture. Why shouldn’t we benefit from the same?” said William Sabila, a Honey Innovation Platform facilitator, during a field visit to Kapchorwa District, Uganda, with representatives from Landcare Australia and the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF).

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Responsible Business Alliance Announces Compass Awards Winners

Oct 30, 2018 9:30 AM ET

The Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) today announced the winners of its inaugural Compass Awards program recognizing corporate social responsibility (CSR) excellence across three categories: Leadership, Innovation and Implementation.

Environment

WWF Report Reveals Staggering Extent of Human Impact on Planet

Oct 30, 2018 9:05 AM ET

Populations of mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians have, on average, declined in size by 60 percent in just over 40 years. The biggest drivers of current biodiversity loss are overexploitation and agriculture, both linked to continually increasing human consumption. Given the interconnectivity between the health of nature, the well-being of people and the future of our planet, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) urges the global community to unite for a global deal for nature and people to reverse the trend of biodiversity loss.

Sustainable Development Goals

NASCAR Continues Sustainability Efforts With the Arbor Day Foundation

Oct 30, 2018 9:00 AM ET

The NASCAR Green Race for Trees Campaign – a sustainability partnership between the Arbor Day Foundation, NASCAR, Texas A&M Forest Service, Texas A&M AgriLife and Harris County Master Gardener Association - will distribute 500 new trees this year to homeowners in Houston.

Health & Healthcare

About 50 Percent of Cancer Deaths Are Preventable. Here’s How We Can Stop Cancer Before It Starts!®

Oct 29, 2018 6:30 PM ET

The number of new cancer diagnoses is increasing. In 2018, more than 1.7 million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer – that’s 46,570 more cases than in 2017. This increase in diagnoses is proof that prevention and early detection are more critical now than ever. And research shows that up to 50 percent of cancer cases and about 50 percent of cancer deaths are preventablewith the knowledge we have today. Addressing this issue is the Prevent Cancer Foundation®, which is working to reduce the cancer mortality rate by focusing on research, education, outreach and advocacy for cancer prevention, and for early detection when cancers are most treatable.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Carnival Corporation's AIDA Cruises Awarded the German Fairness Award for the Fifth Time in a Row

Oct 29, 2018 5:30 PM ET

The cruise company AIDA Cruises has once more received the German Fairness Award 2018. In cooperation with the n-tv news station, the German Institute for Service Quality conducted a comprehensive survey among more than 50,000 consumers on the topic of fairness with regard to over 500 companies. AIDA again achieved first place, and is therefore the best-rated company in the cruise sector.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Who Says Materiality Can't Be Fun?

Oct 29, 2018 4:00 PM ET

Each year at FCA, we put on our creative hats to explore what matters most to the Company, to our stakeholders and to the world in general. Earlier this year, we turned to our student interns for a fresh look on two critical topics: the future of mobility and human rights in the supply chain. To make things more interesting for all involved, the two events were structured around role-playing.

Environment

An Important Day for the Future of Agriculture

Oct 29, 2018 2:00 PM ET

About two years ago, Bayer and Monsanto reached an agreement under which Bayer would acquire Monsanto. In that time, I’ve had the opportunity to meet farmers from around the world, including the United States, Brazil, Kenya, Nigeria, Germany, the Netherlands, China and India to name only a few.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Nestlé Steps Up Efforts in Addressing Plastics Waste and Pollution

Oct 29, 2018 2:00 PM ET

Nestlé today joined forces with other businesses and governments in signing The New Plastics Economy Global Commitment ('Global Commitment') at the Our Ocean Conference in Bali, Indonesia.

The Global Commitment is an initiative of The Ellen MacArthur Foundation and UN Environment. It aims to rethink the future of plastics by applying the principles of circular economy, in which plastics never become waste. The Global Commitment represents a powerful framework to work collectively on solutions that address the root causes of plastics waste and pollution.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Advancing the Long-Termism Movement: The Strategic Investor Initiative's CEO Investor Forum

Oct 29, 2018 1:00 PM ET

In an effort to update corporate leaders and investors on the latest trends and research, the National Investor Relations Institute (NIRI) and the Strategic Investor Initiative (SII) will hold a joint webinar called “Changing the Conversation: Sharing Your Company’s Long-Term Plans.”

Environment

Bolsonaro, Brazil and Why Your Company Should Care

Oct 29, 2018 12:50 PM ET

On the evening of Sunday, October 28th, Brazilian citizens solidified the decision that Jair Bolsonaro will be the country’s next president. Often called “tropical Trump,” Bolsonaro’s stated agenda has massive implications: during his campaign, he promised to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, shut down the Ministry of Environment and open up the protected indigenous lands to mining and industrial agriculture. In the week before the election, he walked back on some of these statements, but the overall sentiment doesn’t bode well for our climate—or for your company.

Responsible Production & Consumption

SC Johnson Accelerates Progress Boosting Plastic Recycling and Reuse

Oct 29, 2018 12:45 PM ET

Today, SC Johnson is announcing a series of commitments to further reduce its own plastic footprint, by boosting recycled plastic content in its packaging, supporting reuse of plastic bottles through concentrated refills, and launching an effort to make Ziploc® bags recyclable at curbside.

Green Infrastructure

SC Johnson and Plastic Bank Team up to Address the Global Ocean Plastic Crisis

Oct 29, 2018 12:45 PM ET

Today, SC Johnson is announcing a new partnership with Plastic Bank, one of the leading organizations working to reduce the global crisis of ocean plastic, to help increase recycling rates in impoverished communities across Indonesia while addressing the challenges of poverty.

Environment

SC Johnson Signs Groundbreaking International Commitment to Tackle the Plastic Pollution Crisis

Oct 29, 2018 12:45 PM ET

SC Johnson announces today it is joining a worldwide coalition of leading businesses and governments to tackle the growing global crisis of plastic pollution. Together with Dame Ellen MacArthur, Fisk Johnson, Chairman and CEO of SC Johnson, signed the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment at the 2018 Our Ocean Conference in Bali, Indonesia. Continuing SC Johnson’s bold legacy of protecting people and the planet, this commitment, led by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation in collaboration with UN Environment, will address the root causes of plastic pollution and will help keep plastic out of our oceans.

Green Infrastructure

Why Climate Resilience and Supply Chains Go Hand in Hand

Oct 29, 2018 12:45 PM ET

It is critical for business to understand the impact that climate risk has on their workers and assets - how prepared is your company?

Sustainable Development Goals

What Does It Really Mean When We Call Something “Sustainable”?

Oct 29, 2018 12:40 PM ET

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Working Together for Water and a Cleaner Lake Taihu

Oct 29, 2018 12:30 PM ET

A 2016 McKinsey study suggested that 90 percent of air, soil, and land impacts associated with consumer goods are supply chain-related. Meanwhile, organizations such as Business for Social Responsibility (BSR) are highlighting dynamics such as the competition among supply chains for limited water supplies, alongside other key sustainability challenges such as climate change and population growth.

We have an opportunity for real impact here, and focus on addressing both our direct water use, as well as driving positive change among our supply base.