ESG News from Leading Brands

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.

Diversity & Inclusion

Rethinking Roles: the President of One of Colombia’s Largest Financial Institutions Discusses Gender Inclusion

Jan 23, 2017 4:45 PM ET

Achieving true equality is a challenge, particularly for countries that value traditional gender roles in both the workplace and household. We spoke with Santiago Perdomo, President of Banco Colpatria, to discover how one of Colombia’s largest financial institutions is advocating for change and leading by example.

Events, Media & Communications

Terra Incognita for Climate Change Policy - "Dead Ahead" as #44 Leaves / #45 Assumes Responsibility for Public Policy

Jan 23, 2017 4:05 PM ET

We are about to enter "uncertain terrain" or as the ancient Romans called it, terra incognita - when it comes to what [national] public policies the United States of America will / or will not pursue in the days ahead regarding the complex issues surrounding "climate change" (or dare we say..."global warming").

Education

The JetBlue Foundation Hosts a Special Screening Of “Hidden Figures,” Exposing Young Girls To STEM Careers

Jan 23, 2017 4:00 PM ET

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Aramark, American Heart Association Partnership Featured in Boston College Film Festival

Jan 23, 2017 3:35 PM ET

Vote for Aramark's Healthy for Life® 20 By 20 video with the American Heart Association in the Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship 9th annual International Corporate Citizenship Film Festival.

Environment

Green Mountain Employees Dig in to Do Good

Jan 23, 2017 3:30 PM ET

Green Mountain Energy partners with Trees For Houston to give back 500 trees to the Houston area.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Whirlpool Corporation Receives WorldatWork 2017 Seal of Distinction

Jan 23, 2017 3:30 PM ET

Whirlpool Corporation has earned WorldatWork's Seal of Distinction for 2017. The seal is a unique mark of excellence designed to identify organizational success in Total Rewards effectiveness and is given by WorldatWork, a nonprofit HR association and compensation authority.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Eastern NC's Rebuilding Efforts Receive $200,000 from Duke Energy

Jan 23, 2017 2:20 PM ET

Duke Energy is giving $200,000 to seven nonprofit organizations in eastern North Carolina to help with rebuilding efforts in the wake of Hurricane Matthew last fall.

Health & Healthcare

Note to Sick Co-Worker – Help Us Stay Healthy

Jan 23, 2017 2:15 PM ET

Environment

SCE Files Plan for Reducing Emissions from Goods Movement Industry, Passenger Vehicles

Jan 23, 2017 12:50 PM ET

Southern California Edison, a leader in the transformation of the energy sector, has filed with the California Public Utilities Commission a wide-ranging plan for expanding electric transportation in its service area.

Events, Media & Communications

Keep America Beautiful Hosts 2017 National Conference in Washington, D.C.

Jan 23, 2017 12:15 PM ET

Judith Glaser, founder and CEO of Benchmark Communications, will serve as the keynote speaker at Keep America Beautiful’s National Conference, which takes place Jan. 24-26 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

US Sustainable, Responsible and Impact Investing Trends

Jan 23, 2017 10:55 AM ET

US sustainable, responsible and impact (SRI) investing continues to expand. The total US-domiciled assets under management using SRI strategies grew from $6.57 trillion at the start of 2014 to $8.72 trillion at the start of 2016, an increase of 33 percent.

Environment

42BELOW Vodka Brand Says: “When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Eco Soap”

Jan 23, 2017 10:25 AM ET

As waste continues to be a major trending topic within the sustainability world, companies are coming up with increasingly creative ways to address the issue within their own business operations – from "inglorious vegetables" to shoes that can biodegrade in your sink after their useful life. Now, the phrase "one man's trash is another man's treasure" has never rang truer, with one liquor brand taking an item destined for the trash can and giving it new life, all while educating consumers along the way.

Education

Capital Area Head Start Receives Federal Grant to Extend Classroom Hours

Jan 23, 2017 10:25 AM ET

Federal grant provides for extension of classroom hours for 192 preschool children in Cumberland, Dauphin, and Perry Counties in Pennsylvania.

Diversity & Inclusion

Simplifying the Activities of Barclays

Jan 23, 2017 9:05 AM ET