ESG News from Leading Brands

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Vaseline’s “Healing Project” Brings Relief to Refugees

Jan 11, 2016 11:15 AM ET

As the refugee crisis continues across the globe, many displaced citizens are going without access to basic needs such as clean water, food, clothing and shelter. Many companies are stepping up to provide aid, from Ikea's flat-packed refugee shelters toGoogle's $5.5 million donation match to humanitarian groups. Yet sometimes a company's own product can be the very best source of relief. When dermatologists Grace Bandow and Samar Jaber arrived at a Syrian refugee camp in 2014, they were surprised to learn many of the ailments affecting patients in the dry, hot, exposed desert could be easily relieved with a very simple product: Vaseline.

Environment

Sanofi – Cop 21 - What are the Consequences for Climate Change on Population’s Health?

Jan 11, 2016 10:55 AM ET

Sylvie Joussaume, Climatologist at National Institute of Sciences of the Universe (CNRS, France), explains how climate change is already noticeable and affects people's health: extreme weather events, food shortages, restrict access to water or air pollution, are some of its consequences.

Events, Media & Communications

2016 – A “Hopeful” Year for Sustainability Innovation? Technology Experts Share Their “I Hope” List

Jan 11, 2016 10:45 AM ET

Elaine Hsieh, director of VERGE at the Greenbiz Group, gave us her “biggest hopes for sustainability technology in 2016,” which Greenbiz presented in a year end post.

Environment

The Art and Science of Corporate Sustainability Goal Setting

Jan 11, 2016 10:00 AM ET

Corporate sustainability goals can be something of a mystery. I am sometimes asked: why do companies set the sustainability goals that they do? I often answer that as a science company, DuPont focuses on developing science-based solutions to market problems. But for any company --- not just DuPont --- setting corporate sustainability goals is as much art as it is science. Developing the right goal means balancing the (not mutually exclusive) needs to grow the business, demonstrate shareholder value, incorporate oft-competing inputs of stakeholders, and contribute our fair share to protect the planet. Here’s the inside scoop on the evolution of corporate sustainability goal setting from the front lines.

Research, Reports & Publications

Toward a Living Community

Jan 11, 2016 9:00 AM ET

The time is now to make the First Hill and Central District neighborhoods of Seattle the most environmentally regenerative, socially just, and culturally thriving neighborhoods in the nation.

Environment

Luxury Fashion Industry Focuses on Environmental Protection

Jan 11, 2016 8:00 AM ET

Environmental consciousness in the luxury sector has arisen slowly. For years, leading luxury fashion brands performed little in terms of investing in actual sustainable measures.

Events, Media & Communications

Neil deGrasse Tyson's Science Talk Show 'StarTalk' to Return to Nat Geo Channel in Fall 2016

Jan 11, 2016 7:00 AM ET

21st Century Fox's National Geographic Channel announced that its Emmy®-nominated science talk show StarTalk, hosted by renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, will return for a third season in fall 2016. The series, derived from Tyson's popular podcast of the same name, features Tyson in conversation with comedians, academics, and celebrity guests about how science affects their lives and careers. The third season premiere will also coincide with the release of the first StarTalk book, published by National Geographic Books and featuring vivid photography, the latest scientific facts, and quotes from previous and upcoming StarTalk guests.

Events, Media & Communications

CBS EcoMedia Helps Advertisers Put the ‘Aid’ in Paid Media

Jan 8, 2016 8:30 PM ET

Diversity & Inclusion

A Different Language

Jan 8, 2016 4:10 PM ET

Energy

Algae Fuel Producers Look Beyond Fuel to Stay Afloat

Jan 8, 2016 4:00 PM ET

Just about every start up has to face the dreaded “Valley of Death,” the time that comes after they have demonstrated their idea and before they are producing it at significant scale and generating revenue.

Education

Building for People: Human-centered Design with Local Materials

Jan 8, 2016 3:00 PM ET

A mobile laboratory is traveling across Europe. Designed and built by university students, the lab serves as a hub for innovative façade design.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Using Text to Fulfill Your New Year's Resolution

Jan 8, 2016 2:30 PM ET

Most resolutions are about self improvement -- get fit, eat well, explore more.

Diversity & Inclusion

Timberland Hosts Presidential Town Halls for Employees

Jan 8, 2016 2:15 PM ET

As part of its commitment to community engagement, Timberland has a tradition of inviting current presidential candidates to speak to its employees during the lead-up to presidential elections. On Friday, January 8, in the first such visits of the 2016 cycle, John Kasich, Governor of Ohio and Republican Candidate for President of the United States, held an open invitation town hall meeting at Timberland’s headquarters in Stratham, NH for employees and their immediate family members.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Start the New Year Your Way with Fresh Start Fridays!

Jan 8, 2016 1:30 PM ET

It’s a brand new year and you know what that means – it’s time to commit to a new resolution. While some of us are guilty of going all in for a few weeks before pretending like we never made a resolution in the first place, we want to help YOU start fresh this year. That’s where Fresh Start Fridays enters the picture. Every Friday throughout the month of January, look for a “fresh,” yet delicious recipe idea from nutrition expert Annessa Chumbley or recipes using O Organics products. Visit our Facebook and Twitter channels for updated recipe ideas every week.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Ecolab Earns LEED Gold Recertification for Its Nalco Water and Process Services Headquarters in Naperville, Ill.

Jan 8, 2016 11:40 AM ET

Ecolab Inc., the global leader in water, hygiene and energy technologies and services, has received Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Gold recertification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for the buildings at its 76-acre campus in Naperville, Ill., the headquarters of its Nalco Water and Process Services business.

Environment

Sanofi – Cop 21 - First Step to Act on Infectious Diseases Evolution Due to Climate Change

Jan 8, 2016 10:55 AM ET

Laurent Fraisse, head of research on infectious diseases at Sanofi, explains how research can help tackling infectious diseases evolution due to climate change.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

City Year and Comcast NBCUniversal Announce $11.2m Commitment and Renewed Partnership Agreement

Jan 8, 2016 10:45 AM ET

Innovation & Technology

Mission-oriented, Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility Podcast feat. Catherine Sheehy of UL Environment

Jan 8, 2016 10:45 AM ET

Social Impact & Volunteering

Cox Lights up the Valley with Free Wi-Fi for the College Football Playoff National Championship

Jan 8, 2016 10:30 AM ET

Cox Communications has opened up thousands of Wi-Fi hot spots across the Valley to the public for free and will continue doing so now through January 11, 2016, as residents and visitors get ready for college football’s national championship. Fans, both local residents and tourists, will be moving around the Valley, from downtown Phoenix for the Playoff Fan Central experience to tailgaters in Glendale, as they prepare for the match up of the year between the Clemson Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide at University of Phoenix Stadium on Monday, January 11, 2016.

Environment

National Cut Your Energy Costs Day: 5 Tips for Businesses to Cut Energy, Save Money

Jan 8, 2016 10:30 AM ET

January 10 is National Cut Your Energy Costs Day. Companies across the nation are looking for ways to become more energy efficient, and small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are no exception. According to the 2015 Cox Conserves Sustainability Survey, reducing energy consumption is one of the top areas where SMB leaders need more guidance – up 14 percent from the previous year.

Social Impact & Volunteering

CDTC Receives $25,000 From The Carnival Foundation to Support Its Dental Clinic

Jan 8, 2016 10:20 AM ET

Children’s Diagnostic and Treatment Center (CDTC) received $25,000 from the Carnival Foundation to support its Dental Clinic for children with special healthcare needs.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Republic Services in Toledo, Ohio Held Second Annual Food Pantry for Monroe County Residents

Jan 8, 2016 10:05 AM ET

Environment

The North Face Introduces Fall 2016 Line Featuring 100% Certified Responsible Down

Jan 8, 2016 10:00 AM ET

The North Face today announced its Fall 2016 line, including more than 500 down product styles that feature certified responsible down through the Responsible Down Standard (RDS).

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Cucamonga Valley Water District and Arrowhead® Brand Mountain Spring Water Partner to Increase Local Water Supplies

Jan 8, 2016 9:00 AM ET

The Cucamonga Valley Water District (CVWD), one of the leading water providers in the region, has partnered with Arrowhead® Brand Mountain Spring Water, a Nestlé Waters North America, Inc. (Nestlé Waters) brand produced and sold mainly in California, to construct a groundwater treatment project within the Cucamonga groundwater basin that will increase the availability and reliability of local water supplies.

Environment

Bushwick’s Black, Brown Youth Enriched by Composting Project

Jan 8, 2016 7:10 AM ET

BK ROT, one of RSF Social Finance’s 2015 Seed Fund grantees, received a small gift in support of their efforts to establish a sustainable grassroots composting service in Brooklyn, New York. In this blog post, co-facilitator Renée Peperone tells us more about BK ROT’s work and what the funds have made possible.