ESG News from Leading Brands

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Conflict-Free Sourcing Initiative Names Source Intelligence as First Official Vendor Member to Further Enhance Resources, Networks

Oct 7, 2016 1:40 PM ET

Source Intelligence today announced it has become an official vendor member of the Conflict-Free Sourcing Initiative (CFSI) to further facilitate the exchange of supply chain data and technical information in the quest for global ethical sourcing of materials.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Qualcomm Employees Participate in San Diego Heart Walk

Oct 7, 2016 1:10 PM ET

This past Saturday, Qualcomm employees came together to help to make the American Heart Association’s 2016 San Diego Heart Walk big a success!

Social Impact & Volunteering

Volunteer Spotlight: Keep Cincinnati Beautiful's Gary Dangel

Oct 7, 2016 12:00 PM ET

Even though Gary Dangel has been retired for 12 years, he is busier than ever. As a resident of Cincinnati’s Walnut Hills for the past 30 years, he saw things that needed to be done in his neighborhood and got to work. He hasn’t stopped since.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Subaru of America Celebrates Its Love of Pets During October “Subaru Loves Pets” Initiative

Oct 7, 2016 12:00 PM ET

This October, Subaru of America, Inc. has once again kicked off its “Subaru Loves Pets” initiative as part of the brand’s Love Promise platform. More than half of Subaru drivers are also pet owners, and the automaker remains committed to keeping the entire family safe, including beloved pets. As part of this commitment to animal welfare, Subaru retailers across the country will activate several programs that will help animals in need.

Diversity & Inclusion

Inclusion and Safety: Drivers of Business Success

Oct 7, 2016 11:50 AM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

4 Ways You Can Support Hurricane Matthew Recovery Efforts Over the Long Term

Oct 7, 2016 11:45 AM ET

Hurricane Matthew is devastating. According to the New York Times, Florida’s “Atlantic coast is feeling the force of the Category 3 storm, and the National Weather Service warns of ‘extremely dangerous and life-threatening’ winds. ‘Evacuate, evacuate, evacuate,’ the governor urged 1.5 million residents yesterday.” More from their reporters about the destruction in Florida, South Carolina and elsewhere can be found here.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Carnival Cruise Line, New Orleans Saints and Scholastic Book Fairs Team Up to Honor Students With ‘Read & Rise’ Literacy Event Aboard Carnival Triumph in New Orleans

Oct 7, 2016 11:30 AM ET

On September 8, 2016, 100 students from Kipp Central City Primary, an elementary school in New Orleans, enjoyed a day of fun aboard the Carnival Triumph for the first-ever “Read & Rise” literacy day to celebrate their reading achievements as winners of the school’s summer reading challenge.

Events, Media & Communications

Sustainable Brands Releases Full Program for Annual New Metrics Conference

Oct 7, 2016 10:00 AM ET

Sustainable Brands® recently announced the full program for New Metrics’16, scheduled for November 14-16 in Boston, MA.

Responsible Production & Consumption

More Mining Companies Begin to Share Resources Using Integrated Infrastructure

Oct 7, 2016 10:00 AM ET

Traditionally, mining companies have built their own infrastructure at greenfield sites, and due to necessity, constructed their own supporting “pit to port” infrastructure, including power and water supply schemes, roads and railways. However, as a result of growing cost pressures and increasing capital to build new greenfield operations, a trend is developing, whereby mining companies are seeking opportunities to share resources to save on expenses.

Environment

World Bank Group and Nespresso Partner to Help Coffee Farmers in East Africa

Oct 7, 2016 10:00 AM ET

Nespresso has today announced a joint investment of $6 million with the World Bank’s IFC (International Finance Corporation) in a landmark collaboration project to support coffee farmers in East Africa to combat the effects of climate change.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Comcast NBCUniversal Empowers Millennial Changemakers

Oct 7, 2016 9:45 AM ET

The Millennial Trains Project (MTP) is an opportunity for young entrepreneurs and changemakers to work on innovative projects over a week-long train journey across the country.

Health & Healthcare

In the Wendy’s Kitchen, with Jenna and Eryn

Oct 7, 2016 9:30 AM ET

Recently, our culinary team at Wendy’s recognized an opportunity to lower the amount of sodium contained in our grilled chicken and salads. Sodium is a topic we care about and we strive to be a place that provides options for all, and specifically (in this case) for those who are looking for a few items with lower sodium counts. We’re on a journey and proud of the progress we’ve made, so we’re using this blog to explain a bit about how we approached this challenge…you know, to make “fast food” better for you, without sacrificing quality and taste.

Environment

Six Principles of Water Stewardship: Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable Releases a New Framework for Water Stewardship in the Beverage Industry

Oct 7, 2016 9:20 AM ET

To demonstrate the beverage sector’s continued pursuit of advancing water stewardship, today the Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER) released a refreshed framework definition for World Class Water Stewardship in the Beverage Industry.

Environment

Singapore Inspires the World to Turn City Skylines Green

Oct 7, 2016 9:15 AM ET

When I first heard of Singapore’s target to green 80 percent of its buildings, old and new, by 2030, I thought it was a great vision and the way to the future. But it is a challenging feat. Developing a green building from scratch is easy, but we can become a truly green society only when we solve the challenge of making our old buildings green.

Environment

Who Let the Quail Out?

Oct 7, 2016 9:15 AM ET

More than 400 pen-raised northern bobwhite quail moved to their new home on Oct. 5, the 132 acres of authentic Michigan prairie grassland surrounding the FCA US LLC Dundee Engine Plant in Dundee, Mich. The quail were released by approximately 115 Dundee High School’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter as part of an effort to increase the birds’ population.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Mohawk Group Video | Believe in Better: Sustainability

Oct 7, 2016 9:05 AM ET

Events, Media & Communications

The 20th Annual LIVESTRONG Challenge in Austin is Gearing Up

Oct 7, 2016 9:00 AM ET

On Sunday, October 16, thousands of riders—many of them cancer survivors—and other LIVESTRONG Foundation supporters from not only Texas, but cities and towns across America will come together to honor their courageous fight against cancer during the 20th annual LIVESTRONG Challenge.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

FSC® Honors Responsible Forestry Champions During Greenbuild

Oct 7, 2016 9:00 AM ET

LOS ANGELES, October 7, 2016 /3BL Media/ — SCS Global Services (SCS) congratulates recipients of the 2016 Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) Leadership Awards, which “recognize excellence in the use of FSC certified products and commitment to responsible forest management.” Five of this year’s award recipients were certified to FSC standards by SCS: Humboldt Redwood Company and Mendocino Redwood Company, Roseburg Forest Products., HP Inc., and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource.

Environment

Mccrone: If Interest Rates Turn, Clean Energy Will Find it Tougher

Oct 7, 2016 5:50 AM ET

The last time U.S. interest rates were on a sustained upward trend was just over 10 years ago, in summer 2006. George W Bush was president, ‘Hips Don’t Lie’ by Shakira was at the top of the charts on both sides of the Atlantic, and no one had heard of Justin Bieber.

Events, Media & Communications

'Birth of a Nation' Director Nate Parker Talks Filmmaking at Exclusive Screening for Ghetto Film School Students

Oct 6, 2016 10:00 PM ET

The Birth of a Nation (distributed by Fox Searchlight Pictures and in theaters Friday, Oct. 7) was shown in the Crosby Street Hotel screening room in New York on October 4 for an audience of students who are part of the nonprofit Ghetto Film School, which 21st Century Fox has supported by helping to provide an education in the craft and business of filmmaking. After the screening, the film's director, actor and screenwriter, Nate Parker, spent more than an hour answering the students' questions. The Q&A session gave him the opportunity to share about his personal career path, practical advice and insights into why he made the movie with the audience of film students from historically underserved communities.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Forest Stewardship Council Recognizes Forest Champions

Oct 6, 2016 6:35 PM ET

Celebrating its strongest group of award winners to date, the Forest Stewardship Council US presented its FSC Leadership Awards last night to a diverse group of organizations and individuals at Greenbuild 2016. Collectively their leadership shows that wood from FSC-certified, responsibly managed forests can meet society’s needs, across a wide array of sectors.

Innovation & Technology

Industry Leaders, Government Officials and NGOs to Meet at Responsible Electronics 2016

Oct 6, 2016 5:30 PM ET

EICC Annual Conference Brings Together Thought Leaders in Supply Chain CSR

Environment

Boeing Supports ICAO Adoption of Carbon-Offset System

Oct 6, 2016 5:10 PM ET

Boeing [NYSE: BA] today released the following statement in response to the International Civil Aviation Organization's adoption of a carbon-offset system:

"Boeing commends the International Civil Aviation Organization for adopting a carbon-offset system for international aviation that will help the industry achieve its goal of reducing emissions.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Chant4Change Says More Justice, More Peace!

Oct 6, 2016 4:55 PM ET

At this critical moment in history where our world is filled with war, disease and racial conflict, there is a movement afoot to rise up consciously as one earth family, with one collective voice, unified through heart and song.

Research, Reports & Publications

Domtar Self-Generates More Energy and Uses More Renewable Energy Than the Industry Average

Oct 6, 2016 4:45 PM ET

In 2015, 73 percent of Domtar's electrical power requirements were met through cogeneration or on-site hydropower generation, providing environmental, cost and reliability benefits.