ESG News from Leading Brands

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Tweets are the New Tea Leaves for Investors on Black Friday

Nov 29, 2016 4:55 AM ET

As the U.S. heads into the holiday weekend, investors with an interest in the retail sector have their eyes fixed on sales performance metrics for retailers and consumer brands offering the season’s best deals on Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Events, Media & Communications

Novartis Access Shares One-year Learnings and Announces Memorandum of Understanding with Rwanda

Nov 29, 2016 1:15 AM ET

Novartis announced today that Rwanda is the third country to sign a memorandum of understanding with Novartis Access after Kenya and Ethiopia. This agreement contributes to the strategy of the Rwandan government to increase investment in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). First Novartis Access product deliveries are expected in early 2017.

Environment

Michael Bloomberg: Washington Won't Have Last Word on Climate Change

Nov 28, 2016 7:15 PM ET

China is America’s largest trading partner, and the U.S. is the largest partner for China. And while it’s true that our two countries have differences, we know that when we work together, we can accomplish extraordinary things. Cooperation between the U.S. and China, after all, is what made the Paris climate agreement possible.

Innovation & Technology

Bloomberg: Data Can Fuel Africa's Economic Growth

Nov 28, 2016 3:10 PM ET

Social Impact & Volunteering

3-Year-Old Loves Garbage Men

Nov 28, 2016 2:05 PM ET

Growing up, we all have our heroes. For most little kids it might be a policeman or a fireman, but for one little boy in St. John's county, it's the men that do a thankless job everyday, and what they do for him will warm your heart.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

What Would You Do with 1 More Hour for #GivingTuesday?

Nov 28, 2016 1:00 PM ET

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Sustainability Has Never Been More Affordable

Nov 28, 2016 12:40 PM ET

Successful sustainability practices are more important than ever. Not only will 90% of investors scrutinize a company’s sustainability performance before making investment decisions (according to this study), but nearly 50% of investors indicated that they would not make any investments if the company had less than optimal sustainability performance. Additionally, due to increased public awareness concerning the use of conflict materials, businesses both large and small are facing a great deal of pressure to institute sustainable business models.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

No Time Left? Your Company Can Still Rock #GivingTuesday

Nov 28, 2016 12:20 PM ET

Get excited (if you aren’t already): #GivingTuesday 2016 is finally here. Even if your team hasn’t done much to prepare ahead of time, taking a few small actions now could help make a bigger difference during this global day of giving.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Financial Services for All

Nov 28, 2016 11:25 AM ET

Nigeria-based Paga has joined the Business Call to Action (BCtA) with a pledge to expand its network of local entrepreneur agents to 40,000 across the country in order to serve 22 million customers by 2018. By that same year, the company aims to extend its savings and credit products to 5 million people across Nigeria.

Diversity & Inclusion

Don’t Hire a Veteran with Disabilities Because it Feels Good – Do it Because it’s Smart Business

Nov 28, 2016 11:20 AM ET

Hiring military veterans with disabilities isn’t just feel-good altruism, it leads to strategic advantages. They’re determined, self-aware, goal-oriented, determined, and inclusive. Today’s veterans have led effective teams in ambiguous environments. They have managed large budgets, improvised around uncertainty and accomplished team objectives in lieu of personal ambitions.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Old Mutual's Tomorrow 2016: COMPELLING RETURNS

Nov 28, 2016 11:20 AM ET

There is often a misperception from investors (as well as asset managers and advisers) that responsible investment practices detract from investment performance.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Program Spotlight: John Hancock’s Signature Skills Program

Nov 28, 2016 11:00 AM ET

For this month’s Impact Inspirations spotlight, we’re highlighting John Hancock’s skills-based volunteer program, Signature Skills. Signature Skills aligns the talents and development goals of John Hancock employees with nonprofit capacity building needs. Signature Skills provides employees an opportunity to enrich leadership competencies, develop new skills, and engage more deeply with John Hancock, their community and each other.

Diversity & Inclusion

How Technology Empowers Women Around The World

Nov 28, 2016 11:00 AM ET

Global Risk Insights sat down with Allison Kahn, Director of the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women’s Mentoring Women in Business Programme, to discuss the interplay between female empowerment, mentoring and technology.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Ideas that Matter 2016 | The 826 Anthology of Student Writing

Nov 28, 2016 11:00 AM ET

Ideas that Matter winner McSweeney’s created an anthology of student work from each of 826 National’s seven chapters. 826 is a network of nonprofit organizations dedicated to inspiring students to cultivate their writing skills—encouraging them to share their voices, explore creativity and imagine a brighter future.

Innovation & Technology

NBCUniversal Announces 2016 21st Century Solutions Winners

Nov 28, 2016 10:35 AM ET

Encouraging creativity and the drive to invent the future are ingrained in our culture. We are proud to support organizations that are pursuing new ideas to help build stronger communities. For a fifth consecutive year, the NBCUniversal Foundation will spotlight and invest in non-profit organizations that are challenging conventional thinking by implementing innovative programs to address some of our nation’s greatest challenges within the areas of media, technology for good, civic engagement, jobs and economic empowerment, education and environment.

Health & Healthcare

Learning to Dance the Key Concepts of WRAP

Nov 28, 2016 10:30 AM ET

Kathyann Corl, Director of Community Relations for Keystone Human Services Mental Health Services, shares how she has used WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) throughout her life for recovery from mental illness.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Hanes Expands National Sock Drive for Homeless, Makes Giving Easy During Holiday Season

Nov 28, 2016 10:30 AM ET

It has been said that we rise by lifting others, and Hanes, America’s No. 1 apparel label and flagship brand of HanesBrands (NYSE: HBI), is encouraging all Americans to support the homeless by participating in its national sock drive during the holiday season. Hanes today announced that it will donate 200,000 pairs of socks to The Salvation Army and is expanding this year’s effort by coordinating the collection of new socks at 160 HanesBrands Outlet stores across the country.

Responsible Production & Consumption

When OSHA Visits, Part 1

Nov 28, 2016 10:15 AM ET

Just when you think you are starting to get a grasp on your new role and you are feeling pretty relaxed, you receive a phone call from the receptionist….OSHA has just arrived! Following the procedure you wrote, you are well prepared for OSHA’s visit, so don’t panic. This post will highlight what to do and what to expect when OSHA arrives.

Events, Media & Communications

Mapping Community Impact Measurement Activities to the SDGs at the LBG Canada Vancouver Regional Meeting

Nov 28, 2016 9:55 AM ET

Want to learn how to align your community investment and employee volunteering programs to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to create maximum impact? Struggling to measure and communicate your impact? Join LBG Canada at our regional meeting in Vancouver December 9, 2016.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Consumers Petroleum Tees Off to Benefit Connecticut Chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association

Nov 28, 2016 9:45 AM ET

CITGO Petroleum Marketer Consumers Petroleum recently hosted its 23rd annual Golf Tournament at the Great River Golf Course in Milford, Conn., raising more than $100,000 for the State of Connecticut Chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). Over the course of 23 years, Consumers Petroleum has raised more than $1.3 million for the MDA.

Environment

Ingersoll Rand Celebrates Two-Year Anniversary of its Global Climate Commitment, Makes Sizeable Advances to Meet Targets

Nov 28, 2016 8:30 AM ET

In the second year of its global Climate Commitment, Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR), a world leader in creating comfortable, sustainable and efficient environments, continues to significantly reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of its products and operations, while also convening industry leaders to develop long-term solutions aimed at solving global climate challenges.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Every Cent Helps

Nov 28, 2016 8:15 AM ET

Most of the guests from abroad who visit the city of Arusha in northeastern Tanzania are coming in order to observe animals in the wild. For them, the city is a starting point for safaris in the national park of the same name. But when people from time2help come to Arusha, they stay in order to help local people, especially children.

Research, Reports & Publications

American Express Publishes The Service Effect: 2015 Corporate Social Responsibility Report

Nov 28, 2016 8:00 AM ET

Today, American Express published its first comprehensive Corporate Social Responsibility Report since 2008. The report highlights the company’s efforts to create social, environmental and economic value for its stakeholders as well as operate ethically and responsibly.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Making the Holidays Special for Our Troops

Nov 28, 2016 8:00 AM ET

The Christmas SPIRIT Foundation started Trees for Troops in 2005, joined forces with FedEx, and has since delivered more than 150,000 Christmas trees to military families. For the 2016 holiday season, we’re taking you to Minter’s Farm, one of over 100 farms participating in the program, to see where the trees come from and what goes into getting them ready for our service men and women.

Green Infrastructure

Can District Heating Help Create a Sense of Place for Communities?

Nov 28, 2016 7:45 AM ET