ESG News from Leading Brands

Research, Reports & Publications

AkzoNobel Digital Report 2016: Going Beyond the Numbers

Mar 28, 2017 9:00 AM ET

One of the most inspiring aspects of 2016 was seeing examples of our purpose being brought to life. Our Human Cities initiative played a major role in this, underlining how we welcome our responsibility to play an important role in the communities where we operate.

Diversity & Inclusion

Nat Geo Explorers Encourage Girls to Pursue STEM Careers at Microsoft Events

Mar 28, 2017 8:45 AM ET

On March 18, girls across the United States gathered in Microsoft Stores to hear from National Geographic Explorers about the importance of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. The events were in partnership with Microsoft’s “Make What’s Next Campaign,” which aims to inspire the next generation of inventors, scientists, mathematicians and engineers. Given that only 6.7 percent of women graduate with STEM degrees, the campaign encourages girls to pursue these subjects from a young age, effectively doubling the potential to solve the worlds’ problems.

Education

Oklahoma Pipeline Simulator Supports Next-Gen Learning

Mar 28, 2017 6:00 AM ET

It was the last piece of the puzzle needed to complete the pipeline simulator at Central Technology Center in Drumright, Oklahoma.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Celebrating Farmworkers Through Simple Purchases

Mar 28, 2017 6:00 AM ET

Because fruits and veggies are such a staple, it's easy to forget that behind each tomato, pineapple and grape is a person, a farmer or worker with a family and community. (..)

Environment

Bright Lights In Big Cities Go Dark For World’s Earth Hour

Mar 27, 2017 6:45 PM ET

AEG’s STAPLES Center and the Los Angeles Convention Center went dark on Friday night in support of World Wildlife Fund’s Annual Earth Hour, a movement to encourage people, communities and businesses to turn off non-essential lights for an hour as a symbol of their commitment to protecting the planet and fighting climate change.

Environment

Your Cities Can Change Our World

Mar 27, 2017 5:20 PM ET

Cities account for 60-80% of energy consumption and 75% of carbon emissions on the planet.* Because of their population density, cities are also likely to feel the impacts of climate change – including water shortages, more intense natural disasters and heat waves.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

KeyBank Arranges $18.2 Million in Total Financing to Preserve Affordable Housing in Troy, NY

Mar 27, 2017 5:00 PM ET

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

America Just Got Its First Fair Trade Certified Farm

Mar 27, 2017 5:00 PM ET

With National Farmworker Awareness Week running March 24-31, ending on Cesar Chavez Day, we'd like to take a moment to recognize the many farmerworkers who feed us daily. And this year, Cesar Chavez Day and Farmworker Awareness Week arrive at an especially exciting time: Wholesum’s Amado farm is the first produce farm in America to become Fair Trade Certified™.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Celebrating Farmworkers Through Simple Purchases

Mar 27, 2017 5:00 PM ET

Fruits and vegetables are an essential part of our daily diet. They provide us with nutrients, reduce our risk of certain diseases, and they taste delicious!

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Procter & Gamble and Whirlpool Corporation EMEA Together with the Civil Protection Dept. Donate 10 “Laundry” Containers to Earthquake Stricken Families in Central Italy

Mar 27, 2017 4:45 PM ET

Procter & Gamble and Whirlpool Corporation Europe, Middle East & Africa have teamed up to support communities hit by the earthquake in central Italy.

Environment

Combating Pollution with Bioswales

Mar 27, 2017 4:15 PM ET

Last week, The Ray and the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) installed five to ten acres of native grasses and pollinator plant seeds in the median and northbound lane gore area of Exit 6 on I-85 near LaGrange, Georgia

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Eastern Bank Joins Influential Sustainability Group to Help Advance Clean Energy Economy

Mar 27, 2017 3:20 PM ET

The nonprofit sustainability organization Ceres announced today that Eastern Bank has joined the Ceres Company Network. The Ceres board of directors approved the mutual bank’s membership in February 2017.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Good News about the Proposed PA State Budget for Intellectual Disability and Autism Services

Mar 27, 2017 3:10 PM ET

Pennsylvania's proposed budget includes critical funding for autism and intellectual disability services, affecting both people with disability and the people who support them.

Diversity & Inclusion

Northern Trust London Office Signs Women in Finance Charter

Mar 27, 2017 3:05 PM ET

Delighted to announce that our London office has officially signed the Women in Finance Charter run by HM Treasury, whose plan is to increase female representation in leadership positions and tackle gender inequality in financial services.

Environment

Videos: Nestle Waters' Nelson Switzer on World Water Day

Mar 27, 2017 3:00 PM ET

During the segments, Nestle Waters Chief Sustainability Officer Nelson Switzer discusses the company's focus on protecting national resources, as well as the importance of clean water access. He also discussed key water partnerships, including the company's work with Imagine H20, Project WET, and Keep America Beautiful.

Diversity & Inclusion

Driving Gender Equality by Advocating for Women Leaders

Mar 27, 2017 2:45 PM ET

Gender equality in the workplace isn’t just a women’s issue. Male leaders can drive gender equality in executive leadership roles by proactively advocating for female leaders in their organizations.

Media & Communications

Arrow Electronics’ Carol Baroudi Honored for Top Blog

Mar 27, 2017 2:30 PM ET

Arrow Electronics’ sustainability and compliance expert Carol Baroudi was named a finalist in the Blog category at the 2017 PR News CSR Awards last week in Washington, D.C. Carol publishes timely and thought-provoking content on a dedicated blog for Arrow’s value recovery business.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Timberland Addresses Future Sustainability Leaders at Patagonia’s Worn Wear College Tour

Mar 27, 2017 2:30 PM ET

Last week, global outdoor lifestyle brand Timberland joined a panel discussion as part of Patagonia’s Worn Wear College Tour, hosted at the University of New Hampshire in collaboration with the UNH Sustainability Institute.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Baltimore Utility Chief Emphasizes CSR Following Freddy Gray Death

Mar 27, 2017 1:15 PM ET

Freddy Gray’s death while in the custody of Baltimore police pushed the riot-torn city’s only African America big company CEO into action, emphasizing corporate social responsibility to heal the scab that had been ripped off the community”

Baltimore Gas & Electric chief Calvin G. Butler Jr. said the 2015 death and racial strife pushed the 200-year-old utility to use the power of procurement in partnership with service providers and nonprofits to hire and train more people from inner city neighborhoods.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Agribusiness and Food Companies Join Forces to Address Hunger and Nutrition Crisis in East Africa

Mar 27, 2017 12:25 PM ET

The companies will contribute a combined $525,000 to help the World Food Programme (WFP)—the world’s leading humanitarian agency fighting global hunger—reach tens of thousands of families in East Africa.

Diversity & Inclusion

Meet Erin Schneider, Economic Development Director

Mar 27, 2017 12:15 PM ET

We’re celebrating Women’s History Month this March by introducing you to 10 women who help power your life at Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas. They advance our company with their vision, talent, hard work and creativity. These trailblazing women – including a nuclear engineer, astrophysicist and lineman – reveal inspiring stories of persistence, pluck and achievement in largely male-dominated fields. A diverse workplace isn’t just a nice idea, it’s a competitive necessity. Today, meet Erin Schneider, a director of economic development based in Indiana.

Energy

Red Wing Shoe Company Embarks on 25-Year Solar Energy Partnership with NRG

Mar 27, 2017 12:15 PM ET

When complete, the NRG Community Solar projects Red Wing is subscribed to will ultimately prevent 66,218 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions from entering the environment — equivalent to eliminating 7.4 million consumed gallons of gasoline or 3,000 garbage trucks of landfill waste.

Health & Healthcare

Creating a Blueprint for Eliminating Trachoma

Mar 27, 2017 12:00 PM ET

After more than six decades of fighting the spread of trachoma in Morocco, on November 14, 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) acknowledged that the Moroccan government eliminated the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness as a public health problem.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Vehicle Scrap finds NEW Life at Flint Training Center

Mar 27, 2017 11:30 AM ET

Leftover scrap sound-deadening material that insulates a variety of Chevrolet engines is now insulating the walls of the NEW Life Center, a jobs development and training facility in Flint, Michigan.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Habitat for Humanity and the New York Mets Slide into Home

Mar 27, 2017 11:00 AM ET

Coming “home” will have a different meaning for the New York Mets as they kick off the baseball season on April 3.