ESG News from Leading Brands

Environment

Fenner Nature Center in Lansing Enhanced by Consumers Energy Volunteer’s Involvement

Jun 8, 2017 2:30 PM ET

Consumers Energy employees are taking part in volunteer efforts this spring to support environmental stewardship and sustainability throughout Michigan. Lansing’s Fenner Nature Center is one of the beneficiaries, thanks to employee Scott McPhail. McPhail, an engineer with Consumers Energy in Jackson, has been an active volunteer at the Fenner Nature Center for more than two years and also serves on the organization’s board of directors.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Cargill and Solidaridad Establish Palm Oil Sustainability Program in Colombia

Jun 8, 2017 1:05 PM ET

Cargill, in collaboration with the international nonprofit Solidaridad and the Colombian-based international trading company, C.I. Biocosta S.A., announced today a new palm oil smallholder sustainability program in Colombia aimed at improving agricultural practices and farmer livelihoods. The two-year effort will strengthen operations in cooperation with more than 480 palm farmers through training and technical assistance.

Social Impact & Volunteering

How Making a Difference Really Opened my Eyes

Jun 8, 2017 1:00 PM ET

When was the last time you went to work and had an eye-opening experience? Last year, I was selected for a 13-week assignment in Tanzania, one of the poorest countries in Africa, as part of the MSD Fellowship for Global Health. The Fellowship is an example of MSD’s mission and vi

Innovation & Technology

Trane Announces Significant Advancements in Chiller Technology to Help European Building Owners Achieve Sustainability Goals

Jun 8, 2017 12:55 PM ET

With this announcement, Trane will be the first in the industry to offer a combined portfolio of screw compressor chillers and high- and low-speed centrifugal chillers with a near-zero GWP refrigerant option. The new solutions will be part of the Ingersoll Rand EcoWise™ portfolio of products designed to lower their environmental impact with next-generation, low-GWP refrigerants and high-efficiency operation. Building owners can use these products to help reach sustainability goals without sacrificing safety, efficiency or reliability as the new portfolio has industry-leading efficiencies and temperature reach for both cooling and heating operations.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Professional Builders Help Build or Improve 200 Homes in One Week with Habitat for Humanity

Jun 8, 2017 12:25 PM ET

Habitat for Humanity is bringing together professional builders this summer for its Home Builders Blitz. Presented by Ply Gem, the event is a weeklong effort to build and improve homes across the U.S.

Diversity & Inclusion

A Better Chance to Honor MLBPA Executive Director Tony Clark and Other Community Leaders Committed to Education and Diversity

Jun 8, 2017 12:00 PM ET

Event features presentation of 2017 Chairman's Award to JCPenney Chairman and CEO Marvin Ellison; the 2017 Benjamin E. Mays Award to The College Board President and CEO David Coleman and the DreamBuilder Award to Tony Clark, Executive Director, Major League Baseball Players Association.

Research, Reports & Publications

Bloomberg is Investing in Market Infrastructure

Jun 8, 2017 11:25 AM ET

Bloomberg has always believed that bringing transparency to financial markets through access to information can increase capital flows, produce economic growth and create efficiencies for businesses. This idea revolutionized the bond markets in 1981, and, since then, we have expanded our efforts across asset classes to equities, derivatives, commodities and the broader financial markets.

Environment

The Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable to Hold Inaugural Latin America Water Forum

Jun 8, 2017 11:00 AM ET

The Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER), a technical coalition of global beverage sector leaders, announced today that it will sponsor its first 2-day regional forum event for members, select supply chain stakeholders and industry partners in Latin America, June 14-15, 2017 in Mexico City, Mexico.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Morgan Stanley Foundation Announces Additional $750,000 in Grants to Local Food Banks Across the United States

Jun 8, 2017 11:00 AM ET

Morgan Stanley Foundation today announced $750,000 in grants to local food banks in 15 cities across 11 states to support hunger-relief programs that deliver nutritious meals to children and families. Over the past four years, this specific grant program has awarded more than $5 million from the Morgan Stanley Foundation to help launch, expand and sustain critical childhood feeding programs.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Who is Your Best Friend?

Jun 8, 2017 11:00 AM ET

Today is national best friend day and for children who grew up in the foster care system, friendship can be a tough thing to form. When you are always moving from house to house, it’s hard to create lasting friendships. The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is committed to dramatically increasing the number of adoptions from foster care so that every child can have the family and friendships they deserve.

Environment

CITGO Continues Restoration Work in the Lemont Quarries

Jun 8, 2017 10:55 AM ET

CITGO volunteers and community leaders came together in Lemont to continue the project of removing invasive species and the replanting of native seeds in the Heritage Quarries Recreation Area (HQRA).

Environment

General Mills Continues Clean Energy Leadership; Signs Wind Power Agreement

Jun 8, 2017 10:50 AM ET

General Mills has taken another step toward its climate goal with the signing of a virtual 15-year power purchase agreement with Renewable Energy Systems (RES) for 100-megawatts (MW) of its Cactus Flats wind project. The wind project will produce renewable energy credits for General Mills that can be applied toward the company’s greenhouse gas emission reduction goals. During the peak of construction, the project will create about 250 jobs in the clean energy workforce.

Education

Extreme Classroom Makeover: The Big Bad Wolf Won’t Blow These Houses Down

Jun 8, 2017 10:35 AM ET

Perhaps one day, a preschooler in Sara Podvasnik’s class will look back at a classroom exercise featuring the Three Little Pigs as the day that sparked their engineering career.

Diversity & Inclusion

75% of Companies List Productivity and Skills as the Primary Driver for Hiring Women in Saudi Arabia, Indicated by Recent AccountAbility and Glowork Study

Jun 8, 2017 10:00 AM ET

Recent joint research study published by AccountAbility and Glowork, sponsored by "Our Youth our Future" program and the Royal Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Riyadh, investigates women employment and development practices in Saudi Arabia. The report findings indicate several positive developments with regards to women employment and development in management and leadership positions, however, the numbers still show room for improvement. The study is considered as a strong foundation and a reference tool on which future research can build on; the recommendations will provide employers and policymakers with strategies to improve their inclusion and workforce development practices.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

MetLife Foundation | Lean for the Social Sector

Jun 8, 2017 10:00 AM ET

Sustainable Development Goals

Cox Enterprises to Join Ocean Conservancy’s Trash Free Seas Alliance

Jun 8, 2017 10:00 AM ET

In celebration of World Oceans Day, Cox Enterprises announced it will become a member of Ocean Conservancy’s Trash Free Seas Alliance, pledging to work toward solutions that will eliminate ocean trash.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

LG Honored for Supply Chain Sustainability by Green Electronics Council at 2017 CES Asia

Jun 8, 2017 10:00 AM ET

SHANGHAI, China, June 8, 2017 — LG Electronics (LG) has been honored for innovation in supply chain sustainability by the Green Electronics Council. Presented today at CES Asia™ 2017, the GEC Catalyst Awards seek to inspire innovation in the design, manufacture and use of electronics to advance global sustainability.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Business Steps Up Leadership on Climate Action as U.S. Administration Withdraws

Jun 8, 2017 10:00 AM ET

While consensus on climate action has long been elusive, companies from diverse sectors of the economy have stepped up and pledged to protect the standards of the Paris Agreement as the U.S. administration withdraws.

Environment

Saskatchewan Brothers' Clothing Company Rooted in Passion for Forestry

Jun 8, 2017 10:00 AM ET

Brothers Kalen and Derrick Emsley are not even 30 years old and already their lives have taken them across the country and around the world. As the founders of tentree, their journey took them from their hometown of Regina, Sask. to the corporate oil and gas city of Calgary and most recently, to the creative design and apparel hub of Vancouver. The pair have had their share of bumps along the way – but their passion to make a positive impact on the environment has been the defining theme of their journey. TransCanada is proud to have played a role in their success.

Education

Sanofi Pasteur's Jim Tartaglia Encourages Undergrads at Student Research Poster Conference

Jun 8, 2017 9:50 AM ET

Education

Debswana Funds Flagship School Project

Jun 8, 2017 9:30 AM ET

New classrooms are being built for Seaseole Primary School in Letlhakane, close to Debswana’s Letlhakane Mine, where a new tailings plant project is nearing completion, extending the life of the mine by 25 years.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Los Angeles Kings and LA Galaxy Named Environmental Innovators of the Year by Green Sports Alliance

Jun 8, 2017 9:30 AM ET

AEG’s Los Angeles Kings and LA Galaxy will be honored as Environmental Innovators of the Year at Green Sports Alliance’s (GSA) Sixth Annual Game Changer Awards in Sacramento, Calif. on June 28, 2017. Both first-time recipients, the Kings and Galaxy were selected for their efforts in sustainable stadium and arena operations and community and fan engagement.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Meet Larry Lawrence: Helping to Keep Spring Water Sources Sustainable

Jun 8, 2017 9:05 AM ET

At an early age, I knew I wanted to work with water resources. My interest in water conservation began in earnest while in college, and I am proud to have become a Natural Resource Manager for Nestlé Waters in California.

Diversity & Inclusion

“Gateway Select” Pilot Program Will Diversify the Skies

Jun 8, 2017 9:05 AM ET

With Gateway Select, JetBlue hopes to train and hire high-quality pilots while also making the profession more accessible to a broader range of candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences. JetBlue expects that the program will open up the profession by helping make the dream of becoming a pilot a reality to people who would not otherwise have had the opportunity.

Research, Reports & Publications

M&S Publishes Its Ten Years of Plan A Report 2017, and Connected Annual and Human Rights Reports

Jun 8, 2017 9:00 AM ET

The 2017 M&S Plan A Report is an annual update against Plan A sustainability targets first launched in 2007. The most materially important sections are independently assured by DNV-GL and the report also provides GRI Sustainability Standards, Sustainable Develop Goal and Global Compact reference pages. Carbon emissions are reported in compliance with the WRI/ WBCSD Scope 2 guidance on dual reporting.