ESG News from Leading Brands

Responsible Production & Consumption

LEED v4 Adopts Living Future's Declare Label

Apr 12, 2016 1:00 PM ET

On April 4, 2016, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced that the Living Future Institute’s Declare label is now an approved pathway for Option 1 of the Building Product Optimization and Disclosure, Material Ingredients credit for LEED v4. Declare labels with ingredient disclosure greater than 1,000ppm now comply with the LEED v4 credit requirements.

Education

Exploring, and Learning, Across Borders

Apr 12, 2016 12:50 PM ET

At AT&T we are passionate about supporting education beyond the classroom.

To me, world travel is one of the most impactful learning experiences you can have during your formative years. When I was 16, I was lucky enough to travel with a group of fellow students to a remote island off the coast of Panama to help build a new school. The four weeks I spent on Arritupo completely changed my perspective on the world and inspired me to pursue a career that would enable me to give back.

Environment

Water Conservation: A Way to Make Waves in Your Industry

Apr 12, 2016 12:35 PM ET

It’s no surprise that water is at the core of the United Nations’ new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), given its connection to health, climate change and resiliency. The SDGs seek to improve water quality and to substantially increase recycling and safe reuse globally by 2030.

Increasing the efficiency of water consumption at the industry level will help address these goals and also reduce scarcity issues. From using stormwater to flush toilets to installing low-flow nozzles where appropriate, conserving water will drive efficiency and also help companies save money. Here are some ways businesses can get started.

Research, Reports & Publications

Shape Culture, Drive Strategy: From Deloitte's Global Human Capital Trends 2016 Report

Apr 12, 2016 12:10 PM ET

Culture has become one of the most important business topics of 2016. CEOs and HR leaders now recognize that culture drives people’s behavior, innovation, and customer service.

Events, Media & Communications

Enel Partners with GRI at 2016 Global Conference

Apr 12, 2016 12:00 PM ET

Global power company Enel has partnered with international sustainability standard-setter GRI ahead of the 5th GRI Global Conference: Empowering Sustainable Decisions, which takes place in Amsterdam 18-20 May, 2016.

Environment

The Relationship Between Corporate Sustainability and Human Development

Apr 12, 2016 11:35 AM ET

By: Bahar Gidwani

A number of years ago, CSRHub showed that its measures of corporate sustainability correlate with the level of development of countries. For that study, we used the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI). We found a correlation of 28% for 27 developed countries, but poor correlation with human conditions in less developed countries.

Events, Media & Communications

Going At It Alone

Apr 12, 2016 11:20 AM ET

Sometimes boldly going where no brand has gone before can be a lonely voyage. Three multibillion-dollar companies, that received accolades for taking an early and socially progressive stance on controversial issues, have publicly acknowledged they expected their competitors to follow suit sooner.

Events, Media & Communications

Municipal Credit Union to Bring Technology, Financial Literacy Seminars to Brooklyn Generation School

Apr 12, 2016 11:00 AM ET

Municipal Credit Union (MCU) brings technology (including iPads) to Brooklyn Generation School. This support will help the school's 300 students and 30 teachers better prepare for STEAM focused fields, as well as enhance their classroom education experiences. After the technology is revealed, MCU executives will lead financial literacy presentations for the school's students and also participate in a job and career panel as part of the school's Visiting Professionals Day.

Social Impact & Volunteering

The Employee Volunteerism Dividend: How Volunteering Can Foster Talent Development

Apr 12, 2016 11:00 AM ET

Employee volunteer programs are often seen as a great way to promote social good, while increasing employees’ sense of connection with their company’s mission and purpose, thereby driving engagement. But there’s another dimension to company-sponsored volunteerism that may be just as powerful in energizing your workforce – it can provide employees with a meaningful and effective way to develop their talents and build their careers.

Environment

Sustainable Agriculture Standard Stakeholder Comment Period Announced

Apr 12, 2016 10:30 AM ET

SCS announces 60-day stakeholder comment period for its Sustainably Grown Standard V2.0, the updated version of its well-regarded Sustainable Agriculture Standard.

Education

Meet the Scientist: Margaret Chu-Moyer’s Unexpected Path to Biotech

Apr 12, 2016 10:20 AM ET

This profile is a part of the Amgen Foundation’s “Meet the Scientists” series, where we invite students and teachers to learn more about a scientist at Amgen and the work they do to create lifesaving medicines. Join the conversation by sharing your own experiences with @AmgenFoundation and @Amgen.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Creating Impact Through Corporate Volunteering - What's Holding You Back?

Apr 12, 2016 10:00 AM ET

LBG Canada Founder, Stephanie Robertson, explains how to remove barriers to creating impact through corporate volunteering.

Environment

The World Environment Center and Coca-Cola FEMSA Co-Host Mexico Roundtable on UN SDGs

Apr 12, 2016 10:00 AM ET

Research, Reports & Publications

Historical Introduction

Apr 12, 2016 10:00 AM ET

Innovation & Technology

Innovations with a Lifecycle Perspective

Apr 12, 2016 9:05 AM ET

Social Impact & Volunteering

AmCham ScholaRun 2016: NetSuite Employees Run for a Cause – the Second Time Around

Apr 12, 2016 8:00 AM ET

NetSuite has always been ahead in ensuring that its employees are enjoying a balance of work and leisure. Through various company-sponsored activities, such as charity races, NetSuite employees are able to enjoy a refreshing break from their hectic schedules while still maintaining a fit and healthy lifestyle.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Engage Your People in Meaningful Volunteerism

Apr 11, 2016 8:20 PM ET

Happily for society, the clarion call of volunteerism is echoing across the business world, and National Volunteer Week (April 10-16, 2016) is expected to have more of an impact this year than ever. Initiated by Points of Light in the United States (the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service), the week is about “inspiring, recognizing and encouraging people to seek out imaginative ways to engage their communities.” It’s also the ideal time for companies to spearhead workplace programs that respond to the growing interest in volunteer opportunities in ways that both business and community impact.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Bechtel Among Experts Speaking on Investing in Sustainable Infrastructure

Apr 11, 2016 5:35 PM ET

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Major Leaguers Shine a Spotlight on Action Team Captains During National Volunteer Week by Awarding $40,000 in College Scholarships to High School Student Volunteers

Apr 11, 2016 4:00 PM ET

Major League baseball players will award $2,000 college scholarships to 20 outstanding high school students in recognition of their dedication to community service and tireless efforts to encourage others to get involved with causes they believe in, it was announced today by the Major League Baseball Players Trust. Each scholarship recipient is a member of the Action Team® national youth volunteer program created and administered by the Major League Baseball Players Trust and Volunteers of America.

Health & Healthcare

Spring Awakening: Refresh Your Workplace

Apr 11, 2016 3:45 PM ET

After the doldrums of winter, spring is a time for change and renewal. That’s why it’s this time of year when many of us think about spring cleaning — getting rid of the old to make way for the new.

Energy

National Grid Launches Energy eBook

Apr 11, 2016 3:25 PM ET

How can consumers and local communities move to a clean energy supply chain while maintaining healthy local economies and solving for climate change? Today, National Grid's US President Dean Seavers launched, "The Democratization of Energy: Climate Change, Renewables, and Advancing the American Dream," an eBook that discusses the ways in which we can transition our nation to a decarbonized economy while ensuring delivery of reliable and affordable energy.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Reverse Logistics for Retail Gain Wider Regulatory Acceptance

Apr 11, 2016 3:15 PM ET

Reverse logistics is a process within the retail community that describes the return of unwanted, damaged, unsold, or dated retail products back to the distribution center, warehouse, supplier or manufacturer, for the purpose of redistribution, recycling, reuse, or disposal. However, retailers can sometimes run afoul of long-standing regulations developed for industrial and manufacturing operations, if items considered hazardous are shipped. Retail employees preparing items for reverse distribution typically lack the extensive training and experience necessary to properly handle hazardous wastes and hazardous materials.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Five Public Schools Using STEM to Make a Difference in Their Communities are Named Winners of the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest

Apr 11, 2016 3:15 PM ET

Comfortable cardboard classroom furniture for special needs students, prosthetic enhancements for veterans and a smartwatch app for pedestrian safety are among the winning projects of this year’s Solve for Tomorrow contest. Five groups of public school students from across the United States have been named Grand Prize Winners, taking home $120,000* in technology for their school.

Events, Media & Communications

4 Key Steps to Share Your Brand's Philanthropic Story [Infographic]

Apr 11, 2016 3:15 PM ET

There are a plethora of simple ways to get started via (not only) social media but dedicated web pages, links, videos, and more. Check out the infographic we created to learn how to dive into the world of digital storytelling.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Banorte, Líder en Estrategias de Sustentabilidad

Apr 11, 2016 2:30 PM ET

Debido a sus estrategias para la gestión de riesgos asociados al cambio climático y a su favorable desempeño ambiental, Grupo Financiero Banorte fue incluido en el Índice STOXX Global Climate Change Leaders, convirtiéndose en la única emisora de Latinoamérica en estar considerada en el mismo.