ESG News from Leading Brands

Events, Media & Communications

Arrow Electronics Establishes Innovation Prize At Collegiate Inventors Competition

Jun 9, 2017 9:45 AM ET

This summer, a panel of judges from Arrow will select a student team participating in the competition to be awarded the Arrow Innovation Prize. This exclusive prize advances the selected team to the final round of judging at the November competition held at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) headquarters in Alexandria, Va. The Arrow Innovation Prize includes an all-expenses-paid trip and private networking opportunity for the student team with a group of innovators from Arrow.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Coming Together as a Community at GLIDE

Jun 9, 2017 9:30 AM ET

I went with a group of about 40 of my colleagues, led by our CEO Devin Wenig, to volunteer at GLIDE, an organization that has been serving San Francisco’s most vulnerable residents in the Tenderloin since the 1960s. GLIDE is known as one of the biggest social services providers in San Francisco, helping Tenderloin residents break the barriers of poverty and marginalization by simply giving them access to basic human needs — think food, shelter, clothing — and believing that everyone deserves a second chance.

Education

Minneapolis Public Schools, AchieveMpls and Cargill Partner to Boost Local Career and College Readiness By 2020

Jun 9, 2017 9:25 AM ET

As the school year wraps up, local partners are looking ahead with a focus on practical solutions to help close the achievement gap and prepare the future workforce. Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) and AchieveMpls, in partnership with the Cargill Foundation, today announced a major three-year investment of $4 million for MPS Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID); Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programs; and AchieveMpls Career & College Centers in MPS high schools. The grant will provide critical support for student academic success and career and college readiness through 2020.

Environment

From Urban Centers to Suburban Developments, Community Gardens Are on the Rise

Jun 9, 2017 9:05 AM ET

Be it a yard, a nearby park or a terrace, outdoor space is a much desired amenity for house hunters everywhere. Combine that with an increased awareness and interest in where our food is coming from, and you’ve got a fertile environment for community gardens.

And while such spots are unquestionably great for growing vegetables, builders and developers are finding that they might also be good for growing sales.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Whole Planet Foundation | Dispatch from the Field

Jun 9, 2017 9:05 AM ET

In February, we visited our microfinance partner Fonkoze in Haiti. The team visited the southwestern peninsula – the area hardest hit by Hurricane Matthew. Having visited the area three months after the hurricane, we were able to see operations beginning to normalize at the community level and branch level. Most of the clients we met were not able to resume activities until after they were able to recapitalize their existing loan. We see this as yet another good example of where Whole Planet Foundation’s funding can have an invaluable impact and support long term reconstruction after natural disasters.

Media & Communications

Heads of Michigan’s Major Utilities React to Paris Climate Withdrawal, Discuss Energy Landscape

Jun 9, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Diversity & Inclusion

Business Action on Global Inclusion and Diversity

Jun 8, 2017 7:35 PM ET

Newmont is a member of Business for Social Responsibility (BSR), a global non-profit organization that works with a network of more than 250 member companies and other partners to build a just and sustainable world.

Environment

Partnership Aims to Help Butterfly Population Take Off

Jun 8, 2017 5:30 PM ET

In an effort to help restore dwindling monarch butterfly populations, the Save Our Monarchs Foundation (SOM) has partnered with TransCanada to utilize approximately 4,000 acres of land surrounding TransCanada’s Woolfolk Gas Plant as pollinator habitat.

Environment

National Geographic Society Commits $50 Million of Endowment to Impact Investments

Jun 8, 2017 5:30 PM ET

The National Geographic Society today announced it is dedicating $50 million from its $1.1 billion endowment to impact investments, furthering its commitment to understanding our planet and generating solutions for a healthy, more sustainable future.

Environment

Empire BlueCross BlueShield Rolls Out New Fleet of Vans That Will Decrease Carbon Footprint Within New York City

Jun 8, 2017 5:10 PM ET

To celebrate World Environment Day 2017, Empire BlueCross BlueShield is proud to announce it is rolling out six new eco-friendly vans that will assist Medicaid members by providing support services such as finding in-network providers, booking doctor’s appointments and enrollment. The new vans have been specifically modified and designed to lower CO2 emissions, reduce the amount of gas utilized, take up less side-walk and commercial front space and diminish noise pollution through decreased generator usage.

Environment

Bucking Trump, These Cities, States and Companies Commit to Paris Accord

Jun 8, 2017 4:25 PM ET

Social Impact & Volunteering

Amgen Tampa Team Volunteers

Jun 8, 2017 3:40 PM ET

The Tampa INBU sales team volunteered in the Metropolitan Ministries thrift shop. They unpacked and organized donations to help the homeless and those at risk of being homeless.

Green Infrastructure

Building a Sustainable 'Highway of the Future'

Jun 8, 2017 3:30 PM ET

The long-term goal of The Ray is to build the world’s first sustainable road, a highway that could create its own clean, renewable energy and generate income by selling power to utility companies, while producing no stormwater runoff or other pollution and eliminating traffic deaths.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Timberland Recognized for Innovative Partnership with Thread, Combining Sustainability and Social Impact

Jun 8, 2017 3:00 PM ET

In spring 2017, global outdoor lifestyle brand Timberland released a new collection in partnership with Thread, a Certified B Corporation that crafts fabric from plastic bottles littering the streets and landfills of Haiti. The Timberland X Thread collection of boots, bags and t-shirts goes beyond environmental sustainability, creating cleaner neighborhoods and meaningful new job opportunities.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Focus on Culture, Collaboration and Creativity to Drive Corporate Sustainability

Jun 8, 2017 2:30 PM ET

For Bridget Burnell, GM’s manager of environmental sustainability initiatives, sustainability is more than just her job – it’s personal.

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.