ESG News from Leading Brands

Environment

Jeremy Miller on California’s Water Troubles

Apr 12, 2017 1:25 PM ET

California’s soggy winter and spring belie its long-term water prospects. While it’s true that the Golden State is experiencing record rainfalls, California’s water problems have far from evaporated.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Etsy Global Headquarters Achieves Living Building Challenge Petal Certification

Apr 12, 2017 1:15 PM ET

Etsy envisioned its new global headquarters as an opportunity to instigate change, to set a new standard for sustainable construction and design in a renovation project, and to create a space that reflected its values, especially those related to community, craft, and sustainability.

Environment

More Stranded Assets

Apr 12, 2017 12:45 PM ET

Much attention has been paid to the concept that global warming will cause a dramatic drop in the value of carbon
reserves. A major shift towards non-carbon-based energy and non-carbon feedstocks for chemical processes could “strand” assets tied to oil drilling, coal mining, and fracking activities. Various groups have tried to quantify the downside risk to energy companies, if the response to climate change occurs.

However, there are other assets that climate change could strand. And, there are other sustainability trends that could result in stranding other types of assets. Both corporate managers and investors should probably examine these risks, too.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Barclays’ Head of Charities Kathleen Britain on Helping Not-for-Profits Become Future-Proof

Apr 12, 2017 12:30 PM ET

A holistic approach across the three sectors of wealth, corporate and investment helps address the specific challenges of the charity sector, says Kathleen Britain, Head of Charities for Barclays Wealth and Investment Management.

Health & Healthcare

Medtronic Seeks Runners from Around the World Benefitting from Medical Technology for 2017 Global Champions Team

Apr 12, 2017 12:30 PM ET

Medtronic plc, the global leader in medical technology, today announced applications are now open for the 2017 Medtronic Global Champions team. Medtronic Global Champions is a new program that recognizes athletes who have persevered through life-changing health conditions and have returned to active life with the help of medical technology and solutions.

Innovation & Technology

Automation: How Business Can Lead a Sustainable Transition

Apr 12, 2017 12:00 PM ET

Adopting these four practices can help companies facilitate a smooth transition to automation.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Third-party Green Certifications Give DIY Projects Environmental Authenticity

Apr 12, 2017 12:00 PM ET

By Erin Vaughan, Modernize.com (Reprinted with permission by SCS Global Services)

If you buy a product that claims to include “50 percent more recycled material,” how do you know how much “50 percent more” really is? Did the manufacturer go from 20 percent post-consumer materials to 40 in its newest offerings? Or is the manufacturer simply obscuring the fact that its recycled content increased from just one percent to two? Herein lies the problem with unverified advertising claims.

The word for it is greenwashing, the corporate practice of touting vague or misleading environmental claims for a product. Greenwashing is nothing new—the idea has been floating around since the late 1980s since green marketing claims emerged as a major force in the marketplace.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

How GSH is Ending Homelessness in Fairfax through a Combination of Affordable Housing and Support Services

Apr 12, 2017 11:30 AM ET

Today’s fair market value of an average two-bedroom apartment in Fairfax County is $1,750/month. That means, a family must have $70,000 in income for housing at this level. Good Shepherd Housing & Family Services (GSH) estimates that 10,000 households in Fairfax County are cost-burdened by their housing, meaning they spend more than 35% of their income on housing.

Environment

P&G and Microsoft Demonstrate How to Move Beyond Recycling

Apr 12, 2017 11:00 AM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Sweet Siblings

Apr 12, 2017 11:00 AM ET

This sweet sibling group of three was adopted after three years in foster care. Here at the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, we treasure stories like this, when brothers and sisters find their forever family, together.

Green Infrastructure

Ecocentricity Blog: That's a Big Pothole

Apr 12, 2017 10:30 AM ET

Fortunately, Atlanta has a robust public transportation system and an intelligently-designed network of roadways to allow for a seamless modification of traffic flows without increased congestion. Unfortunately, none of that previous sentence is true.

Environment

Dr Pepper Snapple Group and Keep America Beautiful Award 41 Grants to Improve Recycling in Public Parks

Apr 12, 2017 10:15 AM ET

As Americans head to their favorite public park, beach or playground this spring, many will find new recycling bins helping keep those treasured spaces clean thanks in part to a significant grant by Dr Pepper Snapple Group (NYSE: DPS) in partnership with national nonprofit Keep America Beautiful.

Sustainable Development Goals

UN Global Compact Bulletin (April 2017)

Apr 12, 2017 10:10 AM ET

The UN Global Compact Bulletin is designed to keep participants up to date on news, actions you can take, resources and events. Participants are encouraged to look to this monthly communication for important information. Please note that actions and events are intended for Global Compact stakeholders, unless otherwise indicated. The Bulletin is published in English, French, Spanish, Chinese, Arabic and Russian.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Dear Financial Services CEO: Where are the Women?

Apr 12, 2017 10:05 AM ET

For an industry that prides itself on mastering risk management, finding value and uncovering arbitrage opportunities, I think the financial services sector is falling flat. Why? Because most firms are overlooking one of the biggest investment opportunities ever: women.
An overwhelming body of research supports the business case for gender equality. Companies with more women in leadership have higher returns on capital, greater innovation, increased productivity, and higher employee retention and satisfaction.

Innovation & Technology

Avnet Success Story Video | The Story of Ubicquia

Apr 12, 2017 9:45 AM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

$110K Donation from Reliant Supports Solar Installation for No-Kill Animal Shelter in Houston

Apr 12, 2017 9:45 AM ET

Green Infrastructure

City Evolution | Creating Smarter Cities

Apr 12, 2017 9:10 AM ET

As millions of people move into cities every week, this puts a huge strain on space, city resources, energy requirements, and infrastructure cost. Cities are being forced to evolve to meet this increased demand, or collapse under the pressure. This is leading to an increase in the number of Smart City projects — smart grids, networked LED street lights, public Wi-Fi, water management, etc. — that are being implemented around the world, with the number of initiatives nearly doubling over the past few years.

Social Impact & Volunteering

We Give Back As A Team: Cards For Hope By The Marina Bay Sands Sales Team

Apr 12, 2017 9:05 AM ET

Executive Director of Sales, Ailynn Seah, participated in a corporate social responsibility (CSR) recycling project organized by SCRAP at a Green Meeting Industry Council event two years ago in San Francisco.

Green Infrastructure

How Do You Design a Building for the Future?

Apr 12, 2017 9:00 AM ET

As the building industry changes, architects, engineers, and developers must look forward and plan for the impact of workplace trends and disruptive technology on the commercial real estate industry. So how do you design a building for the future? Our advice: integrate IT services and connectivity infrastructure in the planning process for all commercial developments and redevelopments.

Health & Healthcare

Xylem Watermark Disaster Risk Reduction

Apr 12, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

MetLife Foundation's Multipliers of Prosperity is Spurring Small Businesses in Bangladesh

Apr 12, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

De Beers’ New Diamond Mine Picks up its Third Award

Apr 12, 2017 9:00 AM ET

De Beers’ Gahcho Kué mine, which has just begun full commercial production, has won its third major award.

Events, Media & Communications

How to Unlock Your Employees’ Leadership Potential with Your Volunteer Program

Apr 12, 2017 7:00 AM ET

Giving people opportunities to pursue their interests is key to driving employee engagement. According to Gallup, engaged organizations see a 3.9x earnings per share (EPS) growth rate compared to organizations with lower engagement in the same industry.

Research, Reports & Publications

FedEx Announces the Launch of the 2017 Global Citizenship Report

Apr 12, 2017 5:00 AM ET

The 2017 Global Citizenship Report (GCR) is now available at csr.fedex.com. The report showcases how FedEx connects people, businesses and communities in ways that advance social and economic progress and environmental sustainability.

Education

STEM Students Compete to Join Philippe Cousteau Jr. On an Underwater Expedition As Part of Xploration Station’s First Ever #StudentExplorer Contest

Apr 11, 2017 8:15 PM ET

Xploration Station, Fox TV Stations’ three-hour block of STEM programming for teens and their families, has announced its first #StudentExplorer Contest, giving high school and college students across the U.S. the chance to explore the world with Philippe Cousteau Jr., grandson of legendary explorer Jacques Cousteau and host of the Xploration Station series Xploration Awesome Planet. The contest winner will accompany Cousteau on an underwater voyage to locate and study whale sharks off the coast of Mexico. Students can apply by posting video entries to the Xploration Station Facebook page, which will accept submissions until Sunday, April 23.