ESG News from Leading Brands

Social Impact & Volunteering

Mentoring for Youth Entrepreneurship in Latin America

Mar 14, 2017 1:15 PM ET

Finding quality jobs for young people in Latin America, especially jobs outside of the informal sector that provide fair wages and just working conditions, is a growing socioeconomic concern. The United Nations reports that Latin America and the Caribbean are experiencing the largest youth population in history with one in five people between the ages of 15-24. The unemployment rate for this age group is three times higher than for people between the ages of 30-64. For many young people, entrepreneurship has become a survival strategy, demonstrated by the fact that small businesses employ 67 percent of the workforce. However, 90 percent of these small businesses fail within the first two years.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

General Motors Recognized for $1 Million Contribution to the American Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program

Mar 14, 2017 1:15 PM ET

The American Red Cross today recognized General Motors (GM), headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, for supporting Red Cross disaster relief at home and around the world through the Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP) with an annual donation of $1 million.

Energy

The International Living Future Institute's Streamlined NZE + Reveal Programs

Mar 14, 2017 1:00 PM ET

As industry awareness of net zero energy has grown, the need for a simple certification process has become clear.

Innovation & Technology

DREAM BIG: Engineering Our World Opened Worldwide on Feb. 17

Mar 14, 2017 1:00 PM ET

Bechtel, a global leader in engineering, procurement, and construction, in partnership with film producer MacGillivray Freeman Films (MFF) and the American Society of Civil Engineers is supporting a new IMAX 3-D film, DREAM BIG: Engineering Our World. On Feb. 15, Bechtel and its partners hosted a World Premiere at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater in Washington, DC. The film was released on Feb. 17 at movie theaters and science centers in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and it is designed to inspire children in grades K-12.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

CBRE Group, Inc. Named a 2017 World’s Most Ethical Company for Fourth Straight Year

Mar 14, 2017 12:50 PM ET

CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBG) has been recognized as a 2017 World’s Most Ethical Company® by the Ethisphere Institute, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices. This is the fourth year in a row CBRE has achieved this recognition.

Health & Healthcare

CVS Health Takes Next Step in Five-Year Commitment to Deliver the First Tobacco-Free Generation

Mar 14, 2017 12:30 PM ET

CVS Health (NYSE:CVS), the nation’s largest pharmacy innovation company, today announced it will fund $10 million in new and expanded partnerships and programs to launch the second year of Be The First, the company’s five year, $50 million commitment to help deliver the nation’s first tobacco-free generation.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

The Lipman Family Prize

Mar 14, 2017 12:15 PM ET

What happens when you locate a global social impact prize at a top-tier business school nested within a world-class research university? Over the past several years, we have been exploring exactly that question.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

February 4 & 15: World Cancer Days

Mar 14, 2017 12:05 PM ET

The global health community has made great strides towards addressing cancer in the past decade. However, there is still a lot of work to be done to ensure that this progress reaches low and lower middle income countries.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Lowe's Heroes Give Historic Neighborhood a Major Makeover

Mar 14, 2017 12:00 PM ET

Lowe's Heroes employee volunteers team up with Rebuilding Together in Houston to make repairs and transform 1935 home into community welcome center.

Environment

Green Standards Manages Diversion of GM Office Assets; Boosts Crowdfunding Campaign for Urban Farm in Detroit

Mar 14, 2017 11:30 AM ET

Green Standards, a specialized environmental firm that manages furniture and equipment “waste” generated by workplace revitalization and relocation projects, is helping General Motors manage tens of thousands of office asset donations. The company is undergoing a multi-campus office decommissioning effort at its Warren Technical Center, Detroit headquarters, and Milford Proving Ground locations.

Environment

Ecocentricity Blog: Who Doesn’t Love a Good Singalong?

Mar 14, 2017 11:15 AM ET

Perhaps the words are overly simplistic (it is a children’s song after all), but the song directly acknowledges our dependence on nature for a range of ecosystem services. Which isn’t exactly a simple concept when you reflect on it.

Diversity & Inclusion

Be Bold for Change: International Women's Day at Qualcomm

Mar 14, 2017 11:00 AM ET

Through my 20+ years at Qualcomm, I’ve participated in many of our celebratory events for International Women’s Day (IWD). In past years, I’ve always taken away a refreshed inspiration for my own development, and a reinforced commitment to continue empowering my female colleagues as well as enabling an inclusive work environment where everybody thrives and Qualcomm is the ultimate benefactor. However, this year was particularly special for me. As our new Chief Diversity Officer, I was no longer a participant, but instead I had the opportunity to influence and set the tone for our IWD events here at Qualcomm.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Promoting a Supply Chain that Reflects our Values

Mar 14, 2017 11:00 AM ET

We work with nearly 6,000 suppliers throughout the world who provide us with the equipment and supplies we need to operate our global business. We are committed to conducting our business in an ethical, legal and socially responsible manner and, to that end, require our suppliers to comply with our Supplier Code of Conduct (SCoC). 16 This SCoC outlines our expectations across a broad range of topics, from ethics to protecting the environment and is available in 19 languages.

Environment

Auditing Your Hospital's Recycling Program

Mar 14, 2017 10:50 AM ET

Auditing your hospital’s plastics recycling program is a key element of improving your program. This can be divided into two parts: (1) auditing the plastic materials that are collected and (2) auditing the plastics collection, segregation, and transfer process.

Education

AIGA Design Leader Interview Series

Mar 14, 2017 10:30 AM ET

For this first-ever interview series, AIGA spoke with Women Lead committee members and supporters who are stewarding in a new era of increased leadership and impact by women in design. (Increased design impact? Great for everyone.)

Social Impact & Volunteering

Team of CITGO Athletes to Compete in the 121st Running of the Boston Marathon

Mar 14, 2017 10:30 AM ET

Diversity & Inclusion

#WomensHistoryMonth at Cox Enterprises: Get to Know Coleen Jennison

Mar 14, 2017 10:25 AM ET

In celebration of Women's History Month, female leaders from across Cox Enterprises are sharing insights from their experience throughout the month of March. Coleen Jennison is Cox Communications’ market vice president.

Green Infrastructure

International Well Building Institute™ Announces First Well Certified™ Project in New York City

Mar 14, 2017 10:25 AM ET

The International WELL Building Institute™ (IWBI™) today marks a new milestone in the development, growth and expansion of its WELL Certification program as the first project in New York achieves WELL Certification under v1 of the WELL Building Standard™ (WELL™). This prestigious distinction was awarded to Structure Tone’s recently opened New York City headquarters at 330 West 34th Street in Manhattan, which has achieved WELL Certification at the Silver level. WELL is the first building standard to focus exclusively on enhancing people’s health and wellness through the built environment.

Education

4 Ways to Build a STEM Talent Pipeline

Mar 14, 2017 10:15 AM ET

General Motors’ long-term success relies on talented teams solving global sustainability challenges and reimagining personal mobility. That’s why the company is passionate about inspiring the next generation of professionals to pursue STEM careers. They can help transform an industry.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Scotiabank Funds $2-Million Cybersecurity and Financial Data Initiative at UBC

Mar 14, 2017 10:05 AM ET

Scotiabank's support will contribute to research and engage students to advance financial modelling to help manage risks and protect customers. We're proud to support UBC as part our digital strategy and our commitment to building talent in the digital economy."

Environment

Domtar Wood Chips Help People with Disabilities

Mar 14, 2017 9:15 AM ET

Learn how Domtar wood chips are helping people with disabilities at the Small Miracles Therapeutic Equestrian Center.

Events, Media & Communications

Whirlpool Corporation Releases 2016 Annual Report

Mar 14, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Whirlpool Corporation has released its 2016 Annual Report, which showcases the company's 105+ year commitment to product leadership, brand leadership, operating excellence and people excellence through innovation.

Energy

Advancing Women in Energy

Mar 14, 2017 8:10 AM ET

Weatherford is committed to diversity, in all the forms that that may take. This commitment is based on a genuine belief that a diverse workforce engenders diverse perspectives that are additive to our business culture.

Health & Healthcare

Albertsons Companies Announces Expanded Supermarket Tours for Diabetic Patients

Mar 14, 2017 6:00 AM ET

According to the CDC, an estimated 26 million people in the U.S. have diabetes and about 79 million are pre-diabetic. To address the increasing needs of these customers directly, Albertsons Companies has expanded its Eating Healthy with Diabetes food tours to help more people pro

Events, Media & Communications

Unilever, Siemens and IKEA Drive Europe’s Leading Sustainability and Social Impact Event

Mar 14, 2017 6:00 AM ET

The Responsible Business Summit Europe (London, 7-8 June), has the most impressive (CEO-led!) speaker line-up and agenda to date - all designed to uncover the FACTUAL potential for Businesses to deliver social and business impact.