ESG News from Leading Brands

Education

Meet Amgen Scholars Alumni Assama Ketegou

Jan 25, 2017 3:25 PM ET

One source of my passion for science and medicine is that I was born with a chronic illness called sickle cell disease. It’s a rare genetic blood disorder that predominantly affects people of African ancestry. The complications that come along with having sickle cell— like pain crises which land me in the hospital almost monthly—puts me on the frontlines of health care. Treatment options are limited for sickle cell, and research is the only way to change that.

Education

Volkswagen Partners with State of Tennessee to Establish $1 Million Science Lab Program

Jan 25, 2017 3:00 PM ET

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., January 24, 2017 /3BL Media/ — Volkswagen Group of America, Chattanooga Operations (Volkswagen Chattanooga) and the State of Tennessee announced the establishment of a $1 million program that will allow Hamilton County middle and high schools to apply for funds to create a science lab in their school.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Aramark Named a Top 50 Employer for People with Disabilities

Jan 25, 2017 2:00 PM ET

Aramark (NYSE:ARMK), a global leader in food, facilities management and uniforms, has once again been named a Top 50 employer for providing a positive working environment for people with disabilities by CAREERS & the disABLED magazine.

“We are honored to be named a Top 50 employer for people with disabilities for the third consecutive year,” said Lynn B. McKee, Executive Vice President of Human Resources for Aramark. “We are grateful for the valuable contributions of our disabled team members and will continue to provide them with a positive, encouraging environment where they can thrive and succeed.”

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Walmart and the Walmart Foundation Announce $200,000 Towards Tornado Relief and Recovery

Jan 25, 2017 1:45 PM ET

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Keep America Beautiful Announces Winners of “How Will You…End Littering?” Video Contest

Jan 25, 2017 1:30 PM ET

The Grand Prize Winners were announced today for Keep America Beautiful’s “How Will You … End Littering?” Video Contest, which was open to students from grades 9-12.

Events, Media & Communications

Second Generation of CSR/ESG Metrics & Bringing ‘Dark Data’ to Light

Jan 25, 2017 1:20 PM ET

We are seeing a rising wave of change as we transition from our current metrics systems to a second generation.
Download the Sustainable Brands New Metrics full presentation to learn more.

Education

UNIDO and Partners to Create More Than 6,000 Jobs for Young People in Tunisia

Jan 25, 2017 1:20 PM ET

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the Italian Development Cooperation and the HP Foundation today launched the second phase of UNIDO’s youth employment project. “Mashrou3i” (“My project” in Arabic) aims to create more than 6,000 jobs for young people in Tunisia over the next five years.

Environment

Republic Services Makes Disposing of Batteries and Bulbs Effortless

Jan 25, 2017 1:05 PM ET

The beginning of a new year is a smart time for businesses to replace batteries in fire alarms and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, as well as replacing fluorescent light bulbs and lighting ballasts. Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE: RSG) offers two simple solutions for businesses to discard items that contain mercury, lead or other hazardous materials that should not be thrown away with regular waste.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Volkswagen Group of America Foundation Donates $50,000 to the Dollywood Foundation to Aid Tennessee Wildfire Relief Efforts

Jan 25, 2017 1:00 PM ET

Herndon, VA (December 19, 2016) – The Volkswagen Group of America Foundation, created by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VWGoA), announced today that it has donated $50,000 to the Dollywood Foundation’s My People Fund, in support of relief and recovery assistance efforts following the devastating wildfires in Tennessee.

Education

Scotiabank Renews Support for Financial Literacy Module to Connected North Schools for 2017 School Year

Jan 25, 2017 12:20 PM ET

Last year, Scotiabank created a unique program focusing on developing financial literacy skills for youth. Thanks to their renewed support, we are able to again offer the Scotiabank Financial Literacy module to all of the Connected North schools for the 2016-2017 school year.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Supply Chain Communication: A Barrier to Food Industry Transparency

Jan 25, 2017 12:00 PM ET

The international food industry continues to experience challenges in supply chain communication, especially as food safety rules become increasingly strict and consumers demand more transparency.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Atlas Copco Employees Support Welthungerhilfe with €60,000 for Clean Drinking Water in Kenya

Jan 25, 2017 10:05 AM ET

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

PNC Recognized in the 2017 Bloomberg Financial Services Gender-Equality Index

Jan 25, 2017 9:45 AM ET

The PNC Financial Services Group (NYSE: PNC) today announced that it is one of 52 firms recognized in the 2017 Bloomberg Financial Services Gender-Equality Index (BFGEI).

Events, Media & Communications

Sustainable Brands Community Ignites Discourse Around the ‘Good Life’

Jan 25, 2017 9:15 AM ET

The Sustainable Brands® community will launch its largest global initiative to date at SB’17 Detroit, May 22-25, 2017. This marks the beginning of a 3-year journey among global business and brand leaders who are working together to create a new collective and locally relevant vision of what the ‘Good Life’ means for a healthy individual, family, community, city, country and planet.

Diversity & Inclusion

Say Hello to the Antea Group Jacksonville Office!

Jan 25, 2017 9:05 AM ET

The Jacksonville office primarily focuses on environmental liability management, including ongoing work on a number of UST sites, site assessment and remediation, chlorinated solvents, and petroleum portfolios. We also have expertise in iEHS and other technology enabled EHS solutions.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

9th Daimler Sustainability Dialog in Stuttgart

Jan 25, 2017 9:05 AM ET

The evening before the 9th Sustainability Dialog in Stuttgart kicked off with open, helpful, but also controversial discussions. "If we plan to meet the Paris climate goals, traffic must become cleaner", guest speaker Peter Bakker from the World Business Council for Sustainable Development explained to the audience.

Environment

If The Dutch Ruled The World

Jan 25, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

TD Recognized in Bloomberg Financial Services Gender-Equality Index

Jan 25, 2017 9:00 AM ET

TD is pleased to announce that it is one of 52 companies included in the 2017 Bloomberg Financial Services Gender-Equality Index (BFGEI). Aimed at investors and organizations, the index reveals information on company gender statistics, gender conscious product offerings, external community engagement and employee policies and practices.

Diversity & Inclusion

Voya Financial Named a Leader in Advancing Gender Equality in the Financial Services Industry

Jan 25, 2017 8:30 AM ET

Voya Financial, Inc., announced on Monday that it has been recognized in the 2017 Bloomberg Financial Services Gender-Equality Index (BFGEI) for its strong commitment to gender parity.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

SCS Global Services Named Clean Energy Award Recipient

Jan 25, 2017 8:30 AM ET

Global Energy News has named SCS Global Services as recipient of its 2016 Best Renewable Energy Verification Specialist award, highlighting SCS' certification and verification services in the renewable energy sector and involvement in national and international standards development.

Environment

Early Warning, Early Action: The Innovations Changing Food Crisis Management

Jan 25, 2017 8:00 AM ET

Research, Reports & Publications

Novartis Releases 2016 Corporate Responsibility Performance Report

Jan 25, 2017 8:00 AM ET

Novartis has published its Corporate Responsibility (CR) Performance Report for 2016. This year’s report provides even more context on the company’s CR performance, as well as views and comments on trends and challenges within the healthcare industry.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

A Caring Approach to Business

Jan 25, 2017 7:35 AM ET

Bangladesh-based Square Toiletries Limited (STL) has joined the Business Call to Action (BCtA) by committing to provide affordable menstrual hygiene solutions to women employees at 300 factories by 2020. With this commitment, STL aims to improve the health, well-being and social and economic participation of 240,000 women while increasing factories’ productivity and reducing absenteeism by at least 30 percent.

Social Impact & Volunteering

7 Secrets to Boost Your Workplace Giving Program | Part Two

Jan 24, 2017 6:00 PM ET

In part one, we covered 3 secrets to building employee engagement through your workplace giving program. We hope they helped you bump up your employee participation and strengthen your foundation for success.

Innovation & Technology

Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation Scholar Hosts Dinner to Alleviate Hunger & Raise Awareness about Food Insecurity

Jan 24, 2017 5:15 PM ET