ESG News from Leading Brands

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Habitat for Humanity’s MicroBuild Fund Wins Classy Award for Innovation in Social Good

Jul 14, 2017 9:35 AM ET

Selected from 100 finalists to become one of 10 winners, Habitat for Humanity recently received a Classy Award, which recognizes the most innovative solutions to the world’s toughest social issues. The winning program, Habitat’s MicroBuild Fund, was recognized for creating social, scalable and sustainable impact by partnering with microfinance institutions across the globe on housing finance solutions.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Run with Whole Planet Foundation and The Seaweed Bath Co.

Jul 14, 2017 9:30 AM ET

Whole Planet Foundation is warming up for its second annual Virtual 10k Run that takes place next month during August 3-7! Nearly 100 participants have registered and because the run occurs simultaneously where you are and in the digital sphere, spaces are endless! Please register today. We are inspired by top sponsors including The Seaweed Bath Co. who even invited their employees to run with us!

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Healthy Paychecks (and Health Checkups That Pay)

Jul 14, 2017 9:15 AM ET

Our people are our greatest asset, so we look out for them. That means keeping crewmembers healthy, and including them in conversations about the best benefits packages.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

What Corporate Foundations Can Do to Enhance Their Philanthropic Agenda

Jul 14, 2017 9:05 AM ET

Though corporate giving is a small percentage of all philanthropic monies given to non-profits in the U.S., it has an outsized opportunity to drive societal improvement and influence the hearts and minds of their stakeholders and the nation.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

BLOG: Walls Come Tumbling Down

Jul 14, 2017 9:05 AM ET

Walls never used to interest me that much. But ever since we launched our partnership with the MasterPeace organization four months ago, I’ve discovered how amazing they can be.

Diversity & Inclusion

Viacom Signs Historic Legal Petition Defending LGBT Rights

Jul 14, 2017 9:05 AM ET

No one deserves to be fired for their sexual orientation. This is the logic behind Viacom and 49 other companies’ decision to sign a formal legal petition asking the U.S. 2nd Court of Appeals to extend a federal law prohibiting employers from firing workers for being gay.

Diversity & Inclusion

Meet Karen Blackwell: Leveling the Playing Field to Bring Opportunity to Diverse Businesses

Jul 14, 2017 9:00 AM ET

We are committed to developing meaningful and mutually beneficial business relationships with diverse suppliers, and we recognize the value these relationships add to our company.

Research, Reports & Publications

Done and Said: Gas Natural Fenosa Publishes Its Corporate Responsibility Report

Jul 14, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Gas Natural Fenosa is a leading multinational group in the energy sector and a pioneer in gas and electricity integration, with a balanced business mix, which supplies gas and electricity to nearly 22 million customers, in over 30 countries.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

New York High School Students Win 2017 U.S. Stockholm Junior Water Prize

Jul 14, 2017 9:00 AM ET

The competition empowers students to identify and research water issues, pursue careers in water sustainability, and raise awareness of global water challenges. The showcase contains a wide spectrum of projects that may include improvements in water quality, water resource management, water protection, drinking water and wastewater treatment.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Wadette H. Bradford Receives Cox Automotive and NAMAD Rising Star Award

Jul 14, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

LVS Senior Vice President Named 2017 Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business

Jul 14, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Las Vegas Sands’ senior vice president, global human resources, Amy Lee, was selected as a recipient of the 2017 Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business Award by the Asian American Business Development Center.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Youth Group Wins $10,000 Grant for Inspiring Confidence Among Homeless and Foster-Care Youth

Jul 14, 2017 9:00 AM ET

High school may be the most important fashion runway in a teenager’s life, but when you’re homeless or in foster care, owning a confidence-inspiring wardrobe is difficult.

Research, Reports & Publications

Experian Unlocks the Power of Data to Help Create a Better Tomorrow

Jul 14, 2017 5:00 AM ET

Using its extensive data and analytical expertise, Experian is helping people get the essentials they need to make their lives better – whether that is paying for healthcare and education, buying or renting a home, building their business or getting a loan.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Fourth Annual Chase Return the Serve Fun Day Event to Take Place on Friday, July 14 at AEG's StubHub Center

Jul 13, 2017 8:30 PM ET

First Break Academy, in partnership with JP Morgan Chase Bank and the USTA Foundation, will serve as the local L.A. host of the event, which is a celebration of Chase’s continued commitment to the USTA Foundation and to the National Junior Tennis & Learning Network. The USTA announced earlier this week that the USTA Foundation, in partnership with Chase, is contributing $100,000 total to 10 NJTL chapters nationwide.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Duke Energy Receives Top Award for Supplier Diversity

Jul 13, 2017 5:55 PM ET

The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) today awarded Duke Energy the top honor in the electric utility association’s 2017 Business Diversity Awards program. The annual awards program recognizes companies for their efforts in advancing purchasing opportunities for diverse suppliers – including minority-, female-, veteran- and LGBTQ-owned businesses within the electric power industry.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

FSR Names The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. a Winner of Corporate Social Responsibility Leadership Awards

Jul 13, 2017 5:10 PM ET

FSR member companies strengthened their local communities by supporting over a million volunteer projects, donating over $1.1 billion dollars for the second year in a row, volunteering nearly 8 million hours, and completing close to 700,000 financial literacy projects.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

How to Measure Social Impact of Community Collaborations

Jul 13, 2017 4:45 PM ET

Innovation & Technology

From Combat to Home Front, Voice-As-Password Makes Banking Simple

Jul 13, 2017 4:30 PM ET

Thousands of customers — including many in the military — are discovering the ease of banking with voiceprint technology

Diversity & Inclusion

‘Wells Fargo Is My Safe Zone’

Jul 13, 2017 4:30 PM ET

Wells Fargo senior leaders and team members look at how the company has created a more diverse and inclusive environment over the past five years.

Green Infrastructure

Black & Veatch-Designed Microgrid to Power Innovation at Shell Technology Center in Houston

Jul 13, 2017 4:20 PM ET

Black & Veatch, a leader in the design and deployment of clean energy-producing microgrids, has been selected by Shell International Exploration & Production Company, Inc. to perform engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) on a new microgrid system at Shell’s Technology Center in Houston.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Two Ecotone Publishing Books Named Winners in Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards

Jul 13, 2017 4:15 PM ET

Energy

National Grid’s US President, Dean Seavers, Talks the Future of Energy at ETS

Jul 13, 2017 4:10 PM ET

ETS (Energy Thought Summit) interviewed Dean Seavers, National Grid U.S. President, in Boston, Massachusetts where he discussed who has influenced him the most, attracting new talent, and our industry's greatest challenges in his executive profile

Environment

LG Solar Releases Two-step Solar Panel with Enphase Energy

Jul 13, 2017 4:00 PM ET

LG Electronics USA announced the NeON® 2 ACe in collaboration with Enphase Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENPH) at Intersolar 2017 this week. The partnership between LG Electronics USA and Enphase Energy, Inc. was forged last year and aimed at making the solar solution an easier one to invest in. LG NeON® 2 ACe is the first of the partnership for residential installation and reduces installation time by half, compared with conventional modules, while also offering cutting edge technology.

Media & Communications

Action Team National Youth Volunteer Program Unveils New TV PSA During MLB All-Star Game on Fox

Jul 13, 2017 3:30 PM ET

The Action Team national youth volunteer program, created and administered by the Major League Baseball Players Trust and Volunteers of America to help train and inspire the next generation of volunteers, debuted its latest TV PSA on FOX during the broadcast of the 88th annual Major League Baseball All-Star Game.

Environment

Michael Bloomberg and California Governor Jerry Brown Pledge To Fight Climate Change

Jul 13, 2017 3:20 PM ET