ESG News from Leading Brands

Environment

Travel and Adventure Photographer Jody MacDonald Sees a Changing World Through Her Lens

Jun 5, 2019 2:35 PM ET

With more than 100 countries’ stamps on her passport, she spends more than half her time on the road. Her constant companion is her camera, which captures striking portraits and landscapes teeming with flora and fauna. But whether she’s documenting one of the last ocean-swimming elephants, a kiteboarder shredding in blue-green waves above a dense coral reef or otherworldly glacial peaks — she knows that all of them are in peril.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Subaru Earns Top Marks in 2019 Corporate Equality Index

Jun 5, 2019 2:00 PM ET

Subaru of America, Inc. today announced that for the third year running, the company has received a perfect score of 100 percent on the 2019 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), the nation’s premier benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ workplace equality, administered by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation. Subaru joins the ranks of major U.S. businesses that also earned top scores this year.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Duke Energy & Piedmont Natural Gas Volunteers Build Outdoor Learning Lab

Jun 5, 2019 1:45 PM ET

More than 100 Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas volunteers spent the day at Governors’ Village STEM Academy in north Charlotte on May 10 to build an outdoor learning lab.

Green Infrastructure

UPS is Driving Progress in Renewable Fuels

Jun 5, 2019 1:05 PM ET

Crystal Lassiter, Sr. Director of Global Sustainability at UPS shares how the company is advancing its goal to reduce GHG emissions through game-changing investments in renewable fuels.

Environment

The Walt Disney Company and Wildlife Conservation Network’s Lion Recovery Fund Announce The Lion King “Protect the Pride” Campaign

Jun 5, 2019 1:00 PM ET

To celebrate the release of Disney’s The Lion King, the upcoming groundbreaking feature film helmed by Jon Favreau, The Walt Disney Company has launched a global conservation campaign to raise awareness of the crisis facing lions and other wildlife across Africa. The Lion King “Protect the Pride” campaign focuses on protecting and revitalizing lion populations and the habitats they need to thrive.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Keep America Beautiful® Partners With Pernod Ricard to Host One of the World’s Largest Social Impact Programs

Jun 5, 2019 1:00 PM ET

Keep America Beautiful®, the nation’s leading community improvement nonprofit organization, is partnering with Pernod Ricard USA, the largest subsidiary of the world’s leading premium wine and spirits company Pernod Ricard SA, as it hosts the company’s ninth annual Responsib’All Day.

Innovation & Technology

Video | Warming Mittens and Hearts

Jun 5, 2019 12:45 PM ET

Beyond her monthly bill, Karen Smoots never gave much thought to Consumers Energy. That changed when she started a small business. Today, Smoots is working with us to grow her company — Green Glove Dryer — help the environment and improve life in Michigan communities.

Research, Reports & Publications

Second TCFD Status Report Shows Steady Increase in TCFD Adoption

Jun 5, 2019 12:35 PM ET

he Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) published its 2019 Status Report to the Financial Stability Board (FSB) today. The TCFD’s second status report provides an overview of disclosure practices aligned with the Task Force’s recommendations between 2016 and 2018.

Environment

Water, Air and Pentair: Supporting World Environment Day

Jun 5, 2019 12:30 PM ET

At Pentair, even as our focus remains on clean, safe and sustainable water, we’re taking time on World Environment Day 2019 to reflect on how water and air pollution can be interconnected.

Research, Reports & Publications

eBay Empowering U.S. Small Business Trade and Inclusive Growth

Jun 5, 2019 12:15 PM ET

The new U.S. Small Online Business Trade and Inclusive Growth report reveals that at the national level, 96% of eBay-enabled small businesses export and reach an average of 17 different foreign countries with their products. By comparison, only 1% of traditional businesses in the Unites States are exporters and reach an average of only 4 foreign markets. Additionally, 60% of eBay-enabled small businesses sold to customers on four or more continents, further solidifying that the export reach through eBay is truly global.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

My Special Aflac Duck® Wins at 2019 Halo Awards

Jun 5, 2019 11:55 AM ET

Aflac and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals were recognized at the 17th annual Engage for Good conference with a Silver Halo Award for their partnership around My Special Aflac Duck®. The award highlighted Aflac for its leadership in corporate social responsibility and innovative approach to making an impact on pediatric cancer patients. Together, Aflac and CMN Hospitals have worked together to distribute over 4,200 My Special Aflac Ducks to pediatric cancer patients at more than 200 facilities across the country.

Environment

On World Environment Day, The Olympic Movement Celebrates One Year of Action Against Plastic Waste

Jun 5, 2019 11:35 AM ET

World Environment Day 2019 marks one year since the International Olympic Committee (IOC) joined UN Environment’s #CleanSeas
initiative to beat plastic waste and called on the Olympic Movement to come on board. Since then, 11 International Sports Federations (IFs), four National Olympic Committees (NOCs), three of the IOC’s commercial partners and the Japanese town of Ichinomiya – host of the Tokyo 2020 surfing competitions – have joined the initiative. Here are some examples of how they are turning their commitments into action.

Environment

Corporate Sustainability & Consumers: 3 Trends Every Company Needs to Know

Jun 5, 2019 11:35 AM ET

Antea Group shares three important sustainability trends related to consumers, as well as key takeaways, that every company needs to pay attention to.

Education

Following Tragedy and Disability, CMT Empowers Dad to Return to School to Help Others

Jun 5, 2019 11:35 AM ET

Randy Smith is exactly the type of student that CMT hopes to connect with via its Empowering Education campaign. This spring, CMT partnered with the Tennessee Board of Regents – which supervises all community colleges and colleges of applied technology in the state – to bring the Empowering Education initiative across the state. The partnership taps into CMT’s production expertise, distribution partnerships and access to talent to help prospective students overcome perceived obstacles to furthering education.

Responsible Production & Consumption

VIDEO | Clean Labels

Jun 5, 2019 11:00 AM ET

People are paying closer attention than ever to what goes into their food. That’s why Smithfield Foods provides clean label options that have easy-to-understand ingredients.

Research, Reports & Publications

Edison International Sustainability Report Highlights Clean Energy Progress, Leadership in the Transformation of the Electric Power Industry

Jun 5, 2019 10:55 AM ET

Edison International has released its 2018 Sustainability Report reflecting its sustainability strategy and 2018 sustainability performance. The report shows how the company is leading the transformation of the electric power industry and operating its business with excellence by focusing on customers, communities and employees, with safety as its top value.

Social Impact & Volunteering

CIT Launches Annual Volunteer Month and Invites Consumers to Give Back Across the Country

Jun 5, 2019 10:45 AM ET

CIT Group Inc. (NYSE: CIT) today launched its third annual CIT Cares Month, a company-wide initiative mobilizing CIT employees to volunteer across their local communities. Starting Monday, consumers nationwide are also invited to participate in a social media campaign to support three nonprofits that center on CIT’s corporate responsibility framework: Empowerment, Environment and Wellness.

Health & Healthcare

Fortifying Futures for Children in India

Jun 5, 2019 10:45 AM ET

In India, a country with more than 1.2 billion people, one in every three children is malnourished. If you do the math, that’s 46 million kids exhibiting symptoms of malnourishment, such as anemia and stunted growth. We’re working to reduce these numbers and help kids in India through our philanthropy at General Mills. And we know school meals are one of the most effective ways to ensure children have a healthy start to life.

Media & Communications

Sustainable Brands® Convenes Global Brand Leaders to Launch “Brands for Good” Movement

Jun 5, 2019 10:30 AM ET

Today a coalition of leading global brands gathered at SB’19 Detroit to launch Brands for Good, a movement to make sustainable living easier and more rewarding for people around the world. Founding partners on the cutting edge of sustainability, innovation and marketing in the food & beverage, consumer goods & lifestyle, retail and technology industries have agreed to harness their brand reach, resources and influence to make the Good Life more attractive, attainable and sustainable.

Environment

LifeGate PlasticLess Reaches the UK, the First Rubbish Bin of the Sea Installed Thanks to Whirlpool

Jun 5, 2019 10:15 AM ET

The UK welcomes LifeGate PlasticLess, the innovative project against plastic pollution that has already swept over Italy. Portishead, near Bristol, receives its first rubbish bin of the sea thanks to Whirlpool Corporation.

Research, Reports & Publications

From Internet of Things to Internet of Water: How Integrated Data Can Help Stop "Day Zero"

Jun 5, 2019 10:00 AM ET

In 2018, Cape Town residents stared down "Day Zero," the moment when the water system – jeopardized by the combination of population growth, drought cycles, aging infrastructure and deferred system improvements – was predicted to literally run dry. Fortunately, citizens rallied by heeding the conservation calls, and the skies opened. A historic crisis was averted for its more than 3 million residents. But the lessons lingers on: Government and water industry leaders the world over are reconsidering how climate impacts and deferred maintenance threaten the resilience of our supply.

Diversity & Inclusion

Northern Trust Partners in India Participated in the Pune Pride Walk

Jun 5, 2019 9:05 AM ET

Sustainable Development Goals

Tetra Tech Supports the UN Global Compact

Jun 5, 2019 9:00 AM ET

As part of its corporate commitment to sustainability, Tetra Tech joined the United Nations (UN) Global Compact, which supports UN efforts to end extreme poverty, fight inequality, and address climate change.

Research, Reports & Publications

MetLife 2018 Global Impact Report: Investing in Our Employees

Jun 5, 2019 9:00 AM ET

MetLife is committed to supporting employee needs and interests — first and foremost, staying healthy in mind and body. We also organize free activities that encourage good health and well-being. In April 2018, we launched our first annual “Wellness for Life Week” initiative with employees in more than 20 countries taking part. Group activities included fitness programs, community service projects, healthy eating events and mindfulness training. Throughout the year, employees joined more than 500 wellness activities and events through our Wellness for Life program.

Events, Media & Communications

Announcing This Year’s 3BL Forum: Brands Taking Stands ™ – What’s Next Emcees

Jun 5, 2019 9:00 AM ET

We are extremely pleased to introduce you to our emcees for 3BL Forum: Brands Taking Stands™ What’s Next. Join them as they share their insights and ideas and guide us through a two-day high-octane conversation. We will collectively explore this rapidly changing business environment and what’s next for companies as they face changing expectations of investors, employees, consumers, customers and partners.