ESG News from Leading Brands

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Desert Rain House in Oregon Earns First-ever Residential Living Building Certification

Jan 26, 2017 1:00 PM ET

The Desert Rain House located in Bend, Oregon, has become the first residential compound to earn Living Building certification, the most ambitious and optimistic international standard of sustainability in the world. Developed by the International Living Future Institute, the Living Building Challenge certification requires actual, rather than modeled or anticipated, performance across environmental, social and community impact.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Cox Enterprises Donates $50,000 to American Red Cross for South Georgia Tornado Victims

Jan 26, 2017 1:00 PM ET

Cox Enterprises, in partnership with The James M. Cox Foundation, announced today a combined cash donation of $50,000 to the American Red Cross to assist the relief and recovery efforts of the communities affected by the recent tornadoes in South Georgia.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

MGM Resorts International Honored for its Support of Women-owned Businesses

Jan 26, 2017 12:05 PM ET

Our commitment to providing women-owned businesses with opportunities for economic participation and growth is among the reasons MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) was named one of America’s Top Corporations for Women’s Business Enterprises in 2016.

Events, Media & Communications

More Than Ever, Social Value Matters

Jan 26, 2017 11:50 AM ET

Want to drive change? How about maximize the value of your impact? Join Social Value International for Social Value Matters 2017, April 10th and 11th in Istanbul, Turkey.

Responsible Production & Consumption

BIER Releases New Framework to Support Water Stewardship in the Beverage Industry

Jan 26, 2017 11:40 AM ET

Ensuring the sustainability and quality of the world’s water supply is of paramount importance—and the beverage industry has a vital role to play in water stewardship efforts.

Health & Healthcare

Anthem and its Foundation Tackle Some of Missouri’s Most Complex Health Needs in 2016

Jan 26, 2017 11:15 AM ET

Everyday countless nonprofits across the country are working hard to improve the health of our communities. The Anthem Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Anthem, Inc. recognizes the impact these organizations are making and shares a common goal for a healthier generation of Americans.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Navigating Change with Skills-Based Volunteering

Jan 26, 2017 10:45 AM ET

January always lends itself to predictions about hot trends in the year to come. Indeed, if you look up “2017 CSR and sustainability trends” in your search engine right now, you’ll see a collection of insightful articles sharing expert (and of course widely divergent) opinions on what’s in store for us over the next twelve months. This January, though, in the face of a starkly different administration in Washington D.C., the social sector is looking at an even more uncertain, unpredictable climate. This has the Common Impact team thinking less about trends, and more about how to practically navigate the twists and turns ahead.

Education

Who Are Today's "Hidden Figures"?

Jan 26, 2017 9:40 AM ET

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Cone Communications Announced as Key Speaker at Jewelry Industry Summit

Jan 26, 2017 9:30 AM ET

Cone Communications will be heading to Tucson, AZ to participate in the second Jewelry Industry Summit January 29-30. The two-day conference will facilitate an open forum between stakeholders of the jewelry industry on sustainable and responsible sourcing.

Responsible Production & Consumption

The Complete Guide to Finding a Recycling Partner for Your Hospital

Jan 26, 2017 9:00 AM ET

This complete guide to finding a hospital recycling partner will help you get your program up and running. We'll walk you through resources for finding the right partner, whether you can start with your current waste hauler, recycling partners, or other services providers, or are beginning the search from scratch.

Environment

Dr Pepper Snapple Group and Keep America Beautiful Kick Off Fifth Year of Recycling Partnership

Jan 26, 2017 9:00 AM ET

The Dr Pepper Snapple Group/Keep America Beautiful Park Recycling Bin Grant program opened its 2017 application process today, offering new opportunities to make recycling convenient for communities across the country.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Public Consultation Period on the Latest AA1000 AccountAbility Principles Opened

Jan 26, 2017 9:00 AM ET

The latest revision of the AccountAbility Principles, the AA1000AP (2017) has been opened for public consultation via a globally accessible web platform today. The AA1000 series are widely applied for integrating and embedding sustainability and accountability into the governance and performance of organisations.

Environment

New Product Category Rule Developed for Roundwood and Pulp/Paper

Jan 26, 2017 8:30 AM ET

SCS Global Services and Environmental Paper Network have developed an innovative Product Category Rule specifying rules for Life Cycle Assessment focused on wood and paper.

Diversity & Inclusion

Engaging Employees by Advancing the Value of Human Capital with Steph Sharma, Human Value Institute

Jan 26, 2017 8:00 AM ET

Events, Media & Communications

National Geographic Documentary Films Launches Further Filmmaker Fellowship with Sundance Institute to Spotlight Young Filmmakers Who Enlighten and Inspire

Jan 26, 2017 7:00 AM ET

National Geographic Global Networks CEO Courteney Monroe announced the creation of the Further Filmmaker Fellowship, a grant program supporting young documentarians who embody the company’s spirit of exploration. The fellowship, a partnership with the Sundance Institute, was named for National Geographic’s global brand tagline “Further,” which symbolizes the desire to take risks, never settle, be radical about facts and always be hungry for more.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Detroit Workforce System Leadership Development Academy Inaugural Class Announced

Jan 26, 2017 6:00 AM ET

JPMorgan Chase & Co., in partnership with Corporation for a Skilled Workforce (CSW) and The Aspen Institute, today announced the selection of twenty-two participants for the first ever Detroit Workforce System Leadership Development Academy (Academy).

The Academy will leverage and build on the expertise of leaders across the workforce ecosystem through an intensive twelve month learning program, led by local Detroit leaders and guest faculty from across the nation, providing the group with an opportunity to collaborate on developing practical solutions to solve some of the city’s most challenging workforce issues.

Innovation & Technology

3 Questions Marketers Should Ask Before Investing in AI

Jan 25, 2017 4:35 PM ET

The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) might have many marketing execs rolling their eyes and saying “Not again!”

Innovation & Technology

Avnet Supports ‘Hacking for Good’ Weekend

Jan 25, 2017 4:30 PM ET

During Avnet’s second annual Global Month of Service in October, Avnet partnered with PayPal to host the fourth annual Arizona Opportunity Hack event, in which nonprofit organizations received free solutions to their most pressing business and technology needs.

Diversity & Inclusion

3 QOLhacks for Creating a Fun Work Environment

Jan 25, 2017 3:35 PM ET

Most of us spend at least half of our waking hours at work, so why not make it fun? In fact, research has shown that creating a feeling of optimism and happiness at work can improve employee performance. A survey of HR managers showed that the majority encourages fun at work because they believe it benefits both the individual and the organization.

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.