ESG News from Leading Brands

Diversity & Inclusion

National Diversity Council’s DiversityFIRST™ Certification Program Expands in 2017

Jan 24, 2017 3:00 PM ET

The National Diversity Council is proud to announce its 2017 DiversityFIRST™ Certification Program to be held in five locations across the Unites States. The success of past years has prompted the National Diversity Council to expand the program to Ohio and New Jersey in addition to California, Florida, and Texas.

Education

Inventor’s Challenge: Playing the Way to a Better Tomorrow

Jan 24, 2017 2:55 PM ET

For the second year in a row, AT&T Aspire is teaming up with the Imagination Foundation to invite students of all ages, from pre-k-to high school, to make something amazing — using whatever tools are available — that addresses a specific problem or need in their community.

Environment

The Global Goals: Our Commitment and Actions

Jan 24, 2017 12:55 PM ET

A turbulent economy and global forces, such as climate change and poverty, have created pressing social challenges that demand urgent action. In response, 193 world leaders signed-on to the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—also called the Global Goals—to implement a 2030 vision for improving the health of our planet, and the livelihood of its inhabitants.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Hungry on Campus: College Students Facing Food Insecurity

Jan 24, 2017 12:45 PM ET

Hunger insecurity on campus is often an unmentionable topic. Many assume that, while enrolled in college, students’ needs are entirely met through financial assistance programs such as financial aid. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Limited Time Only! Get a Free Diagnosis of Your Employee Giving Program. Offer Ends Jan. 31st.

Jan 24, 2017 12:45 PM ET

When it comes to annual check-ups we make it a priority to visit the doctor, dentist or even a vehicle inspection. Although many of us put it off as long as we can, or even avoid it all together.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Republic Services Receives Pioneer Award for Southern Nevada Recycling Center

Jan 24, 2017 12:45 PM ET

Republic Services recently accepted the Pioneer Award for the Southern Nevada Recycling Center at BOMA’s TOBY (The Outstanding Building of the Year) Awards. The Pioneer Award is given to the building that demonstrates a significant contribution to the improvement and enhancement of a community.

Events, Media & Communications

Leading Institutional Investors Gather to Hear Long-Term Plan Presentations from Leaders of the World’s Largest Companies

Jan 24, 2017 12:30 PM ET

Institutional investors and leading CEOs who are a part of CECP: The CEO Force for Good--a coalition of more than 200 corporations collectively representing $7 trillion in annual revenue--will assemble for the first-ever CEO Investor Forum, held the afternoon of CECP’s 12th annual Board of Boards, February 27, 2017. This new afternoon CEO and investor session will focus on mutual business and investor needs to drive long-term value creation. This event will include long-term-oriented institutional investors and pension funds collectively representing more than $15 trillion in assets under management and corporate leaders of Fortune 500 companies. While only a few slots remain, interested investors are invited to apply for registration.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Can E-Commerce and Sustainability Co-Exist?

Jan 24, 2017 12:00 PM ET

As more shoppers click to buy, the demand for a seamless shopping experience lands on retailers, and oftentimes the effort to provide this comes at an increased cost to the environment.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Major Drivers and Trends in SRI Investing Growth

Jan 24, 2017 9:55 AM ET

Read about the numerous trends have shaped the evolution and growth of SRI within US financial markets - that has Sustainable Responsible Impact Investing assets up 33% in 2 years.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Bracing for Impact: How Nonprofits Can Weather Any Political Storm

Jan 24, 2017 9:45 AM ET

I was in the airport on my way home from a day-long meeting facilitation, and the guy next to me said, “Are you a consultant?” We consultants are a dime a dozen in the airport, and we’re easy to spot (You know the look: suit, computer on lap, phone to ear, plugged into the wall). I nodded, and he said, “What are you telling your clients about the change in administration? How are you helping them prepare?” He had no idea what kind of consultant I was, but it didn’t matter. The question is pertinent to anyone who works for or with organizations in for-profit, government, and nonprofit sectors. Every time the administration changes, organizations of all types face the same question: What do I need to do in order to be prepared?

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Ecocentricity Blog: Alex, I’ll Take Economic Systems for $800

Jan 24, 2017 9:30 AM ET

Capitalism is fundamentally a more efficient system than communism. By empowering private citizens to seek their own self-interest, the system becomes decentralized, making it more locally attuned to market demands and shifting conditions.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Plastics Mapping Facilitates Hospital Recycling

Jan 24, 2017 9:30 AM ET

The purpose of plastics mapping is to understand the overall flow of plastic materials through the hospital from entry, through usage, and exit as waste streams.
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By mapping the flow of plastic materials through your hospital, you can identify non-patient contact healthcare plastic materials that can be easily recycled and the optimum points to collect these materials for recycling.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Are You Prepared for an EHS Audit?

Jan 24, 2017 9:25 AM ET

Environment, health and safety (EHS) audits are often used voluntarily by EHS managers to assess regulatory compliance, identify risk and find opportunities for process improvement.

But depending on industry-specific regulations, stakeholder pressure, or enforcement actions that have been imposed, this helpful tool can become a daunting—and sometimes mandatory—task.

If your organization is facing the latter scenario, taking steps to prepare for an upcoming audit can reduce stress, identify issues that can be remedied quickly, and show auditors you’re committed to EHS.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Exploring the New Frontier of Pro Bono Service

Jan 24, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

James M. Cox Foundation Contributes $2 Million to Centennial Olympic Park’s Renovation and Expansion

Jan 24, 2017 9:00 AM ET

The James M. Cox Foundation announced a $2 million contribution to help fund Centennial Olympic Park’s renovation and expansion. The park served as a focal point during the 1996 Summer Olympics.

Innovation & Technology

Business Leaders World-Wide Agree that Disruptive Technologies Can Drive Corporate Sustainability Efforts

Jan 24, 2017 8:45 AM ET

Disruptive technologies and digital infrastructure have the potential to solve some of the world’s most pressing risks and to transform industries.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Barclays Named Stonewall Star Performer

Jan 24, 2017 8:15 AM ET

Barclays has been named a Star Performer in the Stonewall UK Workplace Equality Index 2017.

Environment

RSPO Recognizes SCS as First Accredited Certification Body based in North America

Jan 24, 2017 8:00 AM ET

Environment

Green is for Organics: Voluntary Container Color Standard Recommended by Consortium of Organics Collection Organizations and Agencies

Jan 24, 2017 8:00 AM ET

National nonprofit Keep America Beautiful and the United States Composting Council (USCC) today announced that they, along with five other participating nonprofits and government agencies, recommend designating green as the voluntary container color standard for organics collection containers. This initiative was simultaneously announced at the USCC’s 25th Annual Conference in Los Angeles and at the Keep America Beautiful National Conference in Washington, D.C., both taking place through Jan. 26.

Responsible Production & Consumption

VIDEO | The Making of 42BELOW® Recycled Cocktail Lemons Eco Soap

Jan 24, 2017 7:40 AM ET

Watch how easy it is to make eco soap from last night's cocktail lemons.

Events, Media & Communications

Rebuilding Together, Lowe’s to Restore Houston, Texas Neighborhood During Super Bowl-Sanctioned Event

Jan 24, 2017 6:00 AM ET

This marks the 22nd year Rebuilding Together has hosted this Super Bowl-sanctioned event – rebuilding homes and transforming communities in Super Bowl cities across the country. To date the event has impacted nearly 140 homes, engaged 5,000 volunteers and invested more than $5 million to communities in need.

Innovation & Technology

Black & Veatch: Rise of Data Propels Growing Adoption of Smart City Solutions

Jan 24, 2017 3:00 AM ET

Cities and utilities are increasingly relying on data analytics tools to advance their smart systems, even as municipal leaders grapple with how to pay for these upgrades. Fulfilling the smart city promise will require integrating communication technology and increasing stakeholder engagement. This combination will help transform cities and infrastructure, according to Black & Veatch’s just-released 2017 Strategic Directions: Smart City/Smart Utility Report.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Suppliers Report 434 Million Metric Tons of Emissions Reductions as Big Buyers Flex Purchasing Muscle

Jan 24, 2017 12:05 AM ET

As the global economy moves toward implementation of its new climate goals, the world’s largest purchasing organizations are using their buying clout to drive down emissions across their supply chains.

Social Impact & Volunteering

7 Secrets to A Successful Workplace Giving Program | Part One

Jan 23, 2017 8:00 PM ET

Having had the privilege to work with hundreds of enterprise companies — many of which are part of the Fortune 1000 — we're often asked about what works best when it comes to workplace giving programs. Companies want to know how to get the greatest social and business outcomes out of their programs and we want to help. The first and last thing to remember? The goal of your giving programs must be employee engagement. This may seem obvious, but it’s worth mentioning because many programs aren’t designed with this goal in mind.

Innovation & Technology

Lili Tomovich, CXO of MGM Resorts, on Why People Matter

Jan 23, 2017 5:15 PM ET

People matter. This is a lesson my dad taught me very early on in life. Although he never actually said those words to me, I was lucky enough to watch him engage in life and embrace the human race. As a little girl, and even as a grown woman, I was always amazed by how he connected with people from all walks of life¸ and inspired by his genuine curiosity in people and their life stories. I suppose his background as a sociology professor sparked that flame.