ESG News from Leading Brands

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

KeyBank Arranges $6.9 Million in FHA Financing for Ohio Affordable Seniors Housing Property

Aug 21, 2017 5:00 PM ET

KeyBank Real Estate Capital has arranged a $6.9 million FHA loan to Millennia Housing Development Ltd., for the substantial renovation of Sherman Thompson Towers Apartments, a 151-unit affordable seniors housing community, located in Ironton, OH. Each of the units are designated for residents earning 30-60% area median income (AMI). The project was awarded tax credits by the Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA).

Innovation & Technology

Airplane Technology & Emissions

Aug 21, 2017 2:35 PM ET

Boeing's products connect people, protect nations, explore space and sea and inspire the world. We are committed to making the world’s best airplanes with the smallest environmental footprint and working with industry stakeholders on climate protection.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Voya Financial Chief Communications Officer Paul Gennaro Joins Board of US Business Leadership Network (USBLN)

Aug 21, 2017 1:45 PM ET

Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA), announced today that Paul Gennaro, senior vice president of Brand and Corporate Communications, and chief communications officer (CCO), has been appointed to the board of directors of the US Business Leadership Network (USBLN). USBLN is a national nonprofit that helps the business community drive performance by leveraging disability inclusion in the workplace, supply chain and marketplace.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

The Great Question: Where Do Human Rights Begin for Business?

Aug 21, 2017 1:35 PM ET

The recent display of racism, bigotry and violence in the city of Charlottesville, Virginia has raised alarms and drawn condemnation from large swaths of society, from human rights groups and academics to business leaders and concerned citizens. Business leaders know that diversity and inclusion are the way forward. From driving growth and innovation to promoting better decision-making and enhancing employee engagement, diversity and inclusion improve overall corporate performance. Further, leaders know their employees, customers and shareholders expect it of them.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Bacardi and Tulsi Chanrai Foundation Team-Up in Nigeria to Provide Safe Drinking Water in Kebbi

Aug 21, 2017 12:25 PM ET

Environment

3 Data-Driven Insights to Propel Water Stewardship in the Food & Beverage Sector

Aug 21, 2017 11:55 AM ET

26,000 facility water risk screenings and 400 watershed assessments later, Antea Group brings 3 data-driven insights to propel water stewardship in the food & beverage sector.

Environment

Recycler Roundtable: Unlocking the Potential of Healthcare Plastics

Aug 21, 2017 11:35 AM ET

The Healthcare Plastics Recycling Council (HPRC), in conjunction with the Plastics Industry Association(PLASTICS), is excited to host a Paper & Plastics Recycling Conference workshop aimed at helping recyclers plug into and learn more about the significant opportunity presented by health care plastics. The pre-conference event will be Wednesday, Oct. 11, from 8 a.m. to noon, and registration is FREE.

Events, Media & Communications

JetBlue’s Head of CSR Icema Gibbs to Emcee COMMIT!Forum

Aug 21, 2017 10:45 AM ET

The head of corporate social responsibility (CSR) for JetBlue, Icema Gibbs, will act as master of ceremonies for day two of COMMIT!Forum, the annual gathering of CSR and sustainability professionals, Oct. 11-12 at MGM National Harbor.

Health & Healthcare

Novartis and Medicines for Malaria Venture Launch Patient Trial in Africa for KAF156, a Novel Compound Against Multidrug-resistant Malaria

Aug 21, 2017 10:20 AM ET

Novartis and Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) have launched a patient trial for KAF156, a next-generation antimalarial compound with the potential to treat drug-resistant strains of the malaria parasite.

Diversity & Inclusion

JetBlue Joins OBAP to Discuss Legacy and Being First to Accept the Challenge

Aug 21, 2017 10:15 AM ET

Last week, JetBlue sponsored the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP) Annual Conference and Career Expo held in Orlando. JetBlue has worked with OBAP for several years to help diversify the aviation industry and provide access to those from traditionally under-represented communities to the variety of careers within the industry.

Energy

Sundance Square and Green Mountain Energy Announce Extended Clean Energy Partnership

Aug 21, 2017 10:00 AM ET

Sundance Square, a 35-block mixed-use development in downtown Fort Worth, announced today it has extended its nine-year relationship with Green Mountain Energy for another seven years to provide renewable energy for all of its 42 buildings.

Health & Healthcare

Latin Telemedicine Expands Impacting More Patients

Aug 21, 2017 10:00 AM ET

Telemedicine in Latin America is expanding — proving just how important partnerships and technological advancements can be to health care management in remote areas. Medtronic, along with the Lumen Foundation and Internal Telemedicine Systems, formed the Latin American Telemedicine Infarct Network (LATIN) to address one of the region’s most pressing challenges — cardiovascular disease, specifically STEMI. Today, LATIN is offered in more clinics — serving more patients – than ever before. The model continues to grow in Colombia and Brazil with more than 120 participating clinics and 19 hospitals. In remote parts of Mexico, 35 primary care centers and three hospitals have adopted the model for the first time.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Nestlé’s Parent Support Spotlight on Randy: Finding Support While Supporting Your Family

Aug 21, 2017 10:00 AM ET

One of the reasons I came to work for Nestlé is because when I was researching companies, I always saw that they take care of their employees. That was the company I wanted to work for. It’s great to feel like it’s not just you and a keyboard, Nestlé is there to support you as you support your family.

Diversity & Inclusion

MGM CEO Blasts ‘Hate Mongers,‘ Will Match Civil Rights Donations

Aug 21, 2017 10:00 AM ET

MGM Resorts International denounced “hate mongers and white supremacists” in a letter to employees Friday, offering to match their donations to civil rights groups including the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Student-Powered Hunger Relief

Aug 21, 2017 9:45 AM ET

Food waste is prevalent across the globe, but have you ever thought about how much waste might be happening on college campuses?

Americans waste 40 percent of the food that’s produced. And the average college student generates 142 pounds of food waste every year.

These statistics are staggering when nearly 15 percent in the U.S., or 47 million people, live below the poverty line.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Weatherford 2016 Digital Annual Report Wins Silver at International Business Awards

Aug 21, 2017 9:30 AM ET

Weatherford International plc (NYSE: WFT) today announced it has been named the Silver Winner of the Best Annual Report – Online/Electronic category at the 14th Annual International Business Awards (IBA). This is the third consecutive year Weatherford has received recognition in this category.

Sustainable Development Goals

Unreasonable Impact | Modern Energy Could Mean the Difference Between Peace and Unrest

Aug 21, 2017 9:25 AM ET

When we think about the things we take for granted, one of the most common is access to basic energy. Turning on a lamp so you can teach your children how to read, watching the evening news, or working into the night on your computer are all basic acts that most of us don’t even consider to be a privilege. Over 500 million people have a mobile phone without a place to charge it at home – a basic convenience needed to conduct commerce.

Diversity & Inclusion

Las Vegas Sands 2016 CSR Overview | Our People

Aug 21, 2017 9:25 AM ET

Las Vegas Sands is focused on promoting a positive working environment for our Team Members by delivering outstanding benefits and quality health and safety practices, creating a culture of excellence and providing an array of advancement opportunities through professional development and education. We maintain a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion by recruiting, training and developing individuals of all experiences, ages, cultural and racial backgrounds, and religious beliefs.

Research, Reports & Publications

Cargill Unveils Progress Towards Sustainability Targets in Latest Annual Report

Aug 21, 2017 9:20 AM ET

Building on strong earnings in the latest fiscal year, which saw the company turn over $109bn, Cargill is working to continue growing its business and corporate responsibility impact.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

How Data Has Transformed Social Good: A Conversation with Steve MacLaughlin, VP of Data and Analytics at Blackbaud

Aug 21, 2017 9:05 AM ET

Steve MacLaughlin, VP of Data & Analytics at Blackbaud, discusses how data has tranformed social good by removing guesswork.

Environment

Experts Learn How to Protect Trees AND Utility Lines

Aug 21, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Unfortunately, trees and other vegetation — if not planted in the right place — are not always compatible with our energy needs. The network that crisscrosses North America includes about 5 million miles of high-voltage distribution lines (the ones that run down our neighborhood streets), 450,000 miles of very high-voltage transmission lines largely running across the natural landscape, and 300,000 miles of underground liquid and gas pipelines. Trees growing near this enormous system can pose several problems. Kids climb trees and can be exposed to dangerous electrical lines. Tree care workers and homeowners might not know the danger that these lines pose to them as they do their daily work.

Environment

Xylem Watermark and Disaster Relief Impact

Aug 21, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Since 2008, Xylem Watermark has been committed to Disaster Relief and Risk Reduction and has worked with global nonprofit partner, Mercy Corps, to complete 28 water projects in 19 countries to deliver clean water and rebuild water infrastructure in the aftermath of water-related emergencies, as well as to secure water in vulnerable regions around the world through community engagement, disaster preparedness training, and water infrastructure monitoring and analysis.

Innovation & Technology

Minivan Monday: Natural Product Helps Quiet the All-New Chrysler Pacifica

Aug 21, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Designers of the all-new minivan used a soy-based foam to keep noise from entering the passenger cabin of the Pacifica.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

FOX’s “Pitch” Caps a Year of Social Impact With $25,000 Equipment Donation to Local Youth Sports Program

Aug 21, 2017 8:15 AM ET

20th Century Fox Television has donated $25,000 worth of sports equipment to Sylmar Independent Baseball League, Inc. (SIBL), a nonprofit youth baseball and softball league serving communities in Los Angeles. The donation consists of gear used during the production of FOX’s drama series Pitch, which chronicled the fictional story of the first female player in the major leagues. 21st Century Fox worked with the series for nearly a year to create campaigns and forge partnerships that promote the achievements of female athletes and expand access to sports for women and girls across the country.

Research, Reports & Publications

Freeport-McMoRan Releases 2016 Working Toward Sustainable Development Report “Driven by Value”

Aug 21, 2017 5:00 AM ET

Freeport-McMoRan is a leading international mining company with headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona. The company’s mineral resources are the building blocks of infrastructure and critical elements of progress for the modern world. Freeport-McMoRan believes responsible management and strong partnerships create value and contribute to sustainable development.