ESG News from Leading Brands

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Whole Planet Foundation’s Madagascar Partner Jiro-Ve, Innovating Affordable Lighting Solutions to Low-Income Households

Apr 28, 2017 11:00 AM ET

Many social enterprises focus on innovation of high-quality products designed to reach low-income customers. By the numbers, this bottom of the pyramid strategy to reach impact and market at scale seems to make sense – analysis of World Bank data from 2011 shows that 71% of the world’s population can be considered poor or low-income.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Congratulations to The Exceptions (Northern Trust Bank) for Winning Best Band at Band Together

Apr 28, 2017 10:30 AM ET

Tribeca Flashpoint College students supported fund raising efforts of four charitable organizations in Band Together: Spring 2017’s Production-In-Action on April 26th 2017. Sarah's Circle, supported by "The Exceptions" (Northern Trust Bank)

Social Impact & Volunteering

FedEx Road Safety Training Leads to National Seat Belt Law in Tunisia

Apr 28, 2017 10:00 AM ET

In August 2016, FedEx hosted road safety advocates from 15 countries across the globe to participate in a two-week advocacy training course with the Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety. One of the advocates, Afef Ghenia, took what she learned in Memphis and managed to enact a national seat belt law six months later in Tunisia.

Research, Reports & Publications

Designing Inspiring and Healthy Workplaces

Apr 28, 2017 10:00 AM ET

“Our workplace design for the Philadelphia Navy Yard site has helped transform the level of energy and engagement of our employees. We want everyone at GSK to feel energized and inspired. We are in the process of taking our industry-leading design approach to the labs and creating modern, collaborative, flexible research and development workspaces for our scientists.” (Ray, Head, Workplace Design)

Environment

BNY Mellon Celebrates Sixth-Annual Eco Days

Apr 28, 2017 9:30 AM ET

From tree planting and biking to work to an all-out print reduction competition, BNY Mellon employees are taking eco-friendly action this spring. Eco Days began with Earth Day on April 22 and continue through World Environment Day on June 5.

Environment

JetBlue: Celebrating Earth Day Every Day

Apr 28, 2017 9:20 AM ET

To us, Earth Day is every day (even if it was technically on April 22). That’s why we’re implementing smarter approaches to move us forward and giving back to our communities whenever we can. Here are some of the ways we celebrate our planet around the clock:

Education

529 New School Gardens Funded by Whole Kids Foundation®

Apr 28, 2017 9:15 AM ET

Today, Whole Kids Foundation announced 529 new school garden grant recipients and 93 extended learning garden grant recipients. The recipients cover 50 U.S. states, nine Canadian provinces and the U.S. Virgin Islands, providing educational opportunities around agriculture, ecology, nutrition and business for 437,850 students.

Environment

This Arbor Day, Consumers Energy Encourages Michigan Residents to Plant the Right Tree in the Right Place

Apr 28, 2017 9:05 AM ET

With Arbor Day being celebrated on Friday, Consumers Energy is reminding Michigan residents to choose the right tree for the right place as they plant and to always call MISS DIG 811 before putting a shovel in the ground.

Research, Reports & Publications

Walmart Today | What is a GRR?

Apr 28, 2017 9:05 AM ET

Energy

A Culture of Safety: Weatherford Celebrates World Day for Safety and Health at Work

Apr 28, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Today we celebrate World Day for Safety and Health at Work, dedicated to the prevention of occupational incidents globally. The United Nations and International Labour Organization's annual awareness-raising campaign promotes safe, healthy, and decent work – stressing how a strong safety and health culture can help reduce the number of work-related injuries.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Together for Safer Roads, Republic Services and other TSR Member Companies Celebrate World Day for Safety and Health at Work

Apr 28, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Between 25 and 33 percent of global crashes are work-related and 36 percent of occupational deaths worldwide are due to road crashes. As of 2010, there were more than 307 million commercial vehicles on the world’s roads. Companies have the responsibility to consider the welfare of their employees, as well as the dangers business fleets pose to other road users.

Social Impact & Volunteering

National Rebuilding Month: Get Involved

Apr 28, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Last year for National Rebuilding Month, 148 of the 1,942 rebuilding projects were completed for community facilities and spaces, which collectively impacted 100,000 people across the country.

Research, Reports & Publications

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany Publishes Corporate Responsibility Report 2016

Apr 28, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany has published its eighth Corporate Responsibility Report, covering the years 2015 and 2016. It is available online at www.emdgroup.com/cr-report.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Indonesia: LESTARI | Reducing GHG Emissions and Conserving Biodiversity

Apr 28, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Indonesia is considered a mega-diverse country, with 17,493 tropical islands containing some of the highest levels of biological diversity across the globe.

Education

Sodexo Participates in 2017 Global STEM Talent Summit for Collective Short-Term Solutions to STEM Talent Development Strategies

Apr 27, 2017 8:10 PM ET

Sodexo, world leader in Quality of Life services, today joined the nation’s top employers and thought leaders at the Global STEM Talent Summit (GSTS), held April 27-28, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. The summit is led by STEMconnector,® the leading organization working with industry, higher education, NGOs and the public sector to provide resources and leadership that supports smart STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) investments.

Media & Communications

‘Hidden Figures,’ ‘He Named Me Malala’ and More from 21CF Win Shorty Awards for Outstanding Social Media Campaigns

Apr 27, 2017 8:00 PM ET

The Ninth Annual Shorty Awards on April 23 recognized recent social impact campaigns from 21st Century Fox for their innovative and effective use of social media to engage audiences. 21CF’s Search for Hidden Figures contest, which distributed more than $200,000 in scholarships to women in STEM, and the Stand with Malala campaign, which drove support and awareness of the Malala Fund and its fight for girls’ education, won their respective categories.

Diversity & Inclusion

The Future of Work is Flexible, and Female

Apr 27, 2017 7:45 PM ET

At SXSW 2017, one of the nation’s premier venues for new ideas, Booz Allen Executive Dee Dee Helfenstein discussed the changing workplace, the on-demand economy, and how organizations can attract and retain top talent.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Roma Boots: Taking Steps to Grow Their Business & Help Children

Apr 27, 2017 6:40 PM ET

Next week is National Small Business Week, and PayPal is excited to celebrate the millions of inspiring small businesses we work with globally. We’re interviewing small businesses to find out what inspired them to start their business, the challenges they have faced, and the advice they have for other aspiring business owners. We sat down with Samuel Bistrian, the founder and CEO, and Beatrice Pitocco, the Vice President of Sales and Marketing, of Roma Boots.

Health & Healthcare

National Rebuilding Month: Impact of Home Hazards on Early Childhood Development

Apr 27, 2017 5:35 PM ET

Early childhood development can be significantly impeded by an unsafe or unhealthy environment. Rebuilding Together affiliates nationwide gather volunteers to tackle such issues for families with young children.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

LIVESTRONG Celebrates 20th Anniversary with Launch of Honor 5K/10K

Apr 27, 2017 5:05 PM ET

In celebration of its 20th Anniversary, the LIVESTRONG Foundation – a global leader and pioneer in cancer patient survivorship – announced today the launch of The LIVESTRONG Honor 5k/10k, which will take place on September 17 in downtown Austin.

Media & Communications

IFF Appoints Andrew S. Winston to Scientific Advisory Board

Apr 27, 2017 4:30 PM ET

Innovation & Technology

Delos™ Invests in Finnish Smart Green Wall Company Naava and Introduces Cutting Edge Technology to U.S. Market

Apr 27, 2017 4:25 PM ET

Delos™, a wellness real estate and technology firm, today announces a strategic investment and collaboration with Naava, a Finnish health technology firm that specializes in the development of smart active green walls, further exemplifying Delos’ mission to transform indoor environments into spaces that promote human health and well-being.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Pro Bono Calculator: Quantifying the Value of Pro Bono

Apr 27, 2017 4:15 PM ET

Has the National Volunteer Week buzz sparked some ideas for skills-based projects, but you aren't sure where to start? Check out our Pro Bono Calculator, a step-by-step tool that quantifies the value and investment of utilizing pro bono support for your organization and your project.

Events, Media & Communications

Sustainable Brands Set to Debut Innovative Model for Conference Collaboration

Apr 27, 2017 4:00 PM ET

Sustainable Brands® is evolving the concept of the traditional conference expo into a collaborative environment packed with tools, solutions and breakthrough ideas to be generated on the spot by the attending crowd.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Northern Trust Bangalore Audit Services Visits Refuge Homes

Apr 27, 2017 3:50 PM ET