ESG News from Leading Brands

Innovation & Technology

How Technology Helps Small Coffee Growers Build Their Own Brands

Sep 6, 2016 10:15 AM ET

Creating a brand to promote awareness of the conditions of impoverished small farmers is not a new idea. But the work of Mexico’s Ercus Foundation goes beyond fair payment for crops. It includes financial aid, economic education, the development of technologies and partnerships. Recently, the use of personalized digitally printed packaging for innovative, attention grabbing marketing has come into play as well.

Energy

When Wind Powers a Local Economy

Sep 6, 2016 10:10 AM ET

Local blades, made and deployed in the UK, will secure skilled British jobs for the long term. They'll ensure that future generations benefit from more secure and sustainable, low-carbon energy, cementing Britain’s position as the world leader in offshore wind. That’s Ingenuity for life.

Innovation & Technology

Techstars Atlanta: Get to Know Fitspot

Sep 6, 2016 10:00 AM ET

Techstars Atlanta, in partnership with Cox Enterprises, selected 10 companies to participate in the program's 2016 class. Applications for the 10 coveted spots came from around the globe, including 69 countries and six continents.

Fitspot is one of the 10 participants. Trying to cram a workout into your busy schedule? Fitspot lets you book one-on-one sessions with certified fitness trainers when and where you want. Plan ahead – or start in as little as 30 minutes.

Research, Reports & Publications

British American Tobacco Publishes Corporate Behaviour Focus Report

Sep 6, 2016 10:00 AM ET

British American Tobacco’s commitment to operating to the highest standards of corporate conduct is the focus of its latest report.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Find the Metrics for Success: How to Evaluate Your Employee Volunteer Program

Sep 6, 2016 9:45 AM ET

In honor of VM Summit 16, which is all about corporate/ nonprofit collaboration, this series of volunteerism-related blog posts will take one topic and explain how it’s relevant to both groups. Today’s topic? Metrics for success. Check out our other blog, Engaging Volunteers, for the same topic from the perspective of corporate volunteer program managers.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

GRI Podcasts: Beyond Reports - Episode 5, Elaine Cohen

Sep 6, 2016 9:30 AM ET

In this month's episode of Beyond Reports, listen to Elaine Cohen, founder of the social and environmental business consulting firm Beyond Business Ltd and member of GRI's GOLD Community. Elaine talks about the challenges facing businesses as they try to improve the quality of their sustainability reporting.

Innovation & Technology

Operation of Photovoltaic Facility Commences

Sep 6, 2016 9:00 AM ET

Innovation & Technology

Risky Business: Unfettered IT Purchasing and Lack of Accountability Put Brands in Jeopardy

Sep 6, 2016 9:00 AM ET

Environment

Plan Bee: Combating the Declining Bee Population

Sep 5, 2016 11:10 AM ET

For many years, a troubling trend has been preoccupying botanists and scientists. Honey bees are disappearing or dying — a phenomenon known as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). Last year alone, 44% of the bee colonies in the U.S. disappeared. While CCD is indeed bad for honey bees, a larger problem looms for humans. Approximately one in every three mouthfuls of food in our diet is either directly or indirectly impacted by honey bees.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

GRI and Switzerland Partner to Foster Job Opportunities in the Developing World

Sep 5, 2016 10:00 AM ET

Today, GRI and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) announced the start of the second phase of the Corporate Sustainability and Reporting for Competitive Business (CSRCB) program, which helps small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the developing world, use sustainability reporting to gain better access to global value chains. Entering global value chains will contribute to creating more job and income opportunities in the target countries.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

GRI Podcasts: Beyond Reports - Episode 7, Dr. Suman Majumdar

Sep 5, 2016 9:45 AM ET

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Insurance, Social Impact, and Profit

Sep 5, 2016 9:00 AM ET

When you think about insurance companies, do you think about social impact? It’s likely not the first thing that comes to mind, but FSG client Skandia has realized the significant impact they can create by helping prevent risks rather than just insuring against them.

Education

University of Cambridge and the Amgen Foundation Inspire Future Science Leaders at Unique Europe Symposium

Sep 5, 2016 1:00 AM ET

Top scientific minds from across Europe will descend on the University of Cambridge September 5-6, as the Amgen Scholars Europe Symposium brings together leading scientists and 101 star pupils from 59 colleges and universities across 25 countries to exchange ideas and experiences gleaned from a unique summer research placement initiative.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Whirlpool Corp. and Lake Forest Middle School Join BEST Program

Sep 2, 2016 6:25 PM ET

For more than 24 years, the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce has united businesses with local schools to benefit both “best.” BEST, an acronym for Business & Education Serving Together, is a workforce development initiative of the Chamber of Commerce that seeks through these partnerships to enhance the quality of life for the community and provide business support for educational programs.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Over 1,000 Local Teachers Receive Classroom Supplies Donated by MGM Resorts International’s Las Vegas employees

Sep 2, 2016 4:00 PM ET

MGM Resorts International is committed to supporting public education and the teachers in our community. For the 8th year, employees from the company’s Las Vegas resorts came together during the company’s annual Back to School Drive to donate classroom supplies to teachers from the Clark County School District (CCSD).

Environment

General Motors Corporate Responsibility Newsletter - September 2016

Sep 2, 2016 3:25 PM ET

General Motors has recently teamed up with the White House in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Air Force and the Army, and the Environmental Protection Agency to engage key stakeholders that can lead the expansion of EV charging infrastructure.

Environment

Agriculture, Food, Environmental Leaders Launch Effort to Support Farmers, Strengthen Conservation in Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska

Sep 2, 2016 3:00 PM ET

For the first time ever, leading food and agriculture supply chain companies and conservation organizations have formed an “end-to-end” partnership to support farmers in the improvement of soil health and water quality. The collective announced today the launch of the Midwest Row Crop Collaborative — a broad-based effort to support, enhance, and accelerate the use of environmentally preferable agricultural practices already underway in Illinois, Iowa, and Nebraska.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Major Leaguers Around the League Unite to Strike Out Cancer

Sep 2, 2016 2:30 PM ET

Jason Motte, Billy Hamilton and Anthony Rizzo might be rivals on the field, but today they are on the same team – the K Cancer Team – uniting to help Strike Out Cancer.

Environment

Collaborative Solutions to Bring Real Change to Drought-Stricken California

Sep 2, 2016 2:30 PM ET

The theme at this year’s World Water Week is Sustainable Growth, and I’m here, along with thousands of global water experts, to talk policy action for addressing the world’s most critical water problems that threaten the livelihood of communities and threaten business and investment risks.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Disneyland Resort Helps Local Community Shine During Diamond Anniversary

Sep 2, 2016 2:25 PM ET

The Disneyland Resort has been proud to call the city of Anaheim home for more than 60 years. To celebrate our 60th Diamond Anniversary, and thank residents in Anaheim and across Southern California, Disneyland Resort created several new programs designed to positively impact children and families today and for many years to come. As part of this celebration, Disneyland Resort contributed more than $4.4 million to local nonprofits in Anaheim and throughout the region, which is in addition to our annual giving of $19 million in 2015.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Ecolab Is Working to Solve the World’s Water Challenges

Sep 2, 2016 2:00 PM ET

Fresh water is the world’s most precious natural resource. Water is critical for survival and to the production of the food we consume and products we use every day, but increasing demand is putting unprecedented pressure on the world’s limited supplies.

Innovation & Technology

Weight. Weight. Don’t Tell Me. - The Dicey Nature of Ewaste Reduction Targets

Sep 2, 2016 1:00 PM ET

E-waste is the fastest-growing waste stream in the world and it’s only natural to want to set goals to reduce it.

Health & Healthcare

Spotting Trends in Population Health Management

Sep 2, 2016 12:25 PM ET

Did you know that 40 percent of an individual’s well-being is determined by healthy behaviors, while medical care determines just 10 percent? It’s true, and it makes the point that you are what you eat. Eighty-six percent of U.S. healthcare dollars are spent on the treatment of chronic, often preventable health issues linked to an unhealthy diet such as heart disease, diabetes and stroke.

Education

Meet Christelle Rigal from France

Sep 2, 2016 11:50 AM ET

"New ideas on how to teach science and practical skills" are how Christelle describes two of the great benefits Amgen Teach brings to her classes. An earth and life sciences teacher with nine years' experience.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Reducing Our Impact with Water Recovery

Sep 2, 2016 11:30 AM ET

Tetra Pak shares water conservation practices to help companies better manage water resources and meet water recovery goals.