ESG News from Leading Brands

Health & Healthcare

Las Vegas Sands Team Members in Las Vegas Participate in Spring Walking Challenge

Apr 13, 2017 9:05 AM ET

During the month of April, Team Members at The Venetian, The Palazzo and Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas have the opportunity to participate in the Sands ECO360 “Spring Step Up Challenge” to promote more daily walking, as well as to raise awareness about energy conservation and carbon footprint reduction.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Giving Back is a Core Value at Aflac

Apr 13, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Giving back is a core value for us here at Aflac. In 2015, 275 employee participants built 10 houses for Habitat for Humanity, volunteering a total of 2,062 hours!

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Whole Kids Foundation® School Food Support Initiative

Apr 13, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Rebuilding Together, Lowe’s to 'Rebuild-A-Block' in Communities Throughout the Country

Apr 13, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Rebuilding Together, a leading national non-profit rebuilding communities in need across the country, will partner with Lowe's to launch its Rebuild-a-Block program and restore homes and neighborhood service centers.

Innovation & Technology

Texas Water Development Board Recognizes Innovative Water Solutions in San Antonio

Apr 13, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Providing an innovative solution to develop and conserve water supplies in the state of Texas

Research, Reports & Publications

G4S Publishes 2016 CSR Report

Apr 13, 2017 5:00 AM ET

G4S, the world’s leading global integrated security company, has published its corporate social responsibility report for 2016.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Sophie Bernstein, Military Child of the Year, Honored for Commitment to Sustainable Food

Apr 12, 2017 6:15 PM ET

17-year old Sophie Bernstein, recipient of the 2017 Military Child of the Year Award for Innovation, is passionate about sustainable food and social justice. Sophie’s commitment to improving the health of her community one garden at a time also led to her teaching lower-income children how to fish – metaphorically, that is – through gardening and STEM practices.

Health & Healthcare

Fostering Worldwide Collaboration to Fight Alzheimer’s Disease

Apr 12, 2017 5:35 PM ET

More than five million Americans suffer from this progressive brain disorder. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. It is almost certain that all Americans will know someone who is affected by the disease, or is diagnosed themselves.

Health & Healthcare

Aramark Launches Feed Your Potential 365 Campaign to Improve Consumer Health

Apr 12, 2017 5:00 PM ET

As part of its five-year commitment with the American Heart Association to improve the health of Americans 20 percent by 2020, Aramark (NYSE: ARMK), a global leader in food, facilities management and uniforms, is launching Feed Your Potential 365, a public health and well-being campaign, to promote healthy lifestyles among all consumers, as well as families in underserved communities and Aramark’s customers, clients and employees.

Environment

Only 2 Weeks Left for Early Bird Pricing to Attend 2017 Circular Economy Summit!

Apr 12, 2017 5:00 PM ET

Registration to attend the 2017 Circular Economy Summit: From Aspiration to Implementation will increase in two weeks! Don't miss your chance to receive an early bird discount, ending April 28.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Encouraging STEM Talent, Consumers Energy Sponsors FIRST Robotics State Competition

Apr 12, 2017 4:45 PM ET

Helping inspire students to become interested in and pursue future high-demand science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers, Consumers Energy is again sponsoring the FIRST in Michigan robotics state championship being held at Saginaw State University’s Ryder Center today through Saturday, April 15.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Home is the Key to a Safe Place to Play for Jimmella

Apr 12, 2017 4:00 PM ET

Living in a home safe enough for her children to play in the yard is something that Lanay and her family are still getting used to. It’s a good feeling.

Research, Reports & Publications

Five Practical Steps for Conflict Minerals Due Diligence and SEC Disclosure Published by CFSI

Apr 12, 2017 3:45 PM ET

Five Practical Steps for Conflict Minerals Due Diligence and SEC Disclosure Published by CFSI

Social Impact & Volunteering

National Rebuilding Month: Aging in Place

Apr 12, 2017 2:30 PM ET

Did you know most homeowners desire to age in place? The combination of rising costs, fixed income and inadequate housing prevents them from doing so.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Childcare Critical to Military Families

Apr 12, 2017 2:30 PM ET

At the Armed Services YMCA we have heard these and many other examples of why childcare is so important. It can especially make a huge difference in the lives of our young military families. We offer many programs designed to help meet the challenges of military life, but few are as needed as childcare.

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.