ESG News from Leading Brands

Education

HP Expands Commitment to Refugees, Convenes with Leaders for White House Summit

Sep 20, 2016 1:35 PM ET

As a company in the business of creating consumer devices that both delight and inspire, HP believes that technology can enrich lives – and help rebuild them as well. And as a global company that does business in more than 170 countries and territories, HP has a unique opportunity to put that belief into action with aid to the some 5 million people who’ve fled their homes and country to escape civil conflict in Syria.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Getting More From Less

Sep 20, 2016 1:30 PM ET

During times of economic hardship it is reasonable for companies to look for cost cutting opportunities and eliminate non-essential investments. Investments in sustainable packaging, however, shouldn’t be among the items on the chopping block.

Environment

Nestlé Waters North America Pushes Regional Collaborative Action as Vital to Global Climate Change Success

Sep 20, 2016 1:15 PM ET

While the recent International Paris Climate Agreement was groundbreaking in the effort to combat climate change, regional implementation and sharing of experience and results will be the key to success, according to Nelson Switzer, chief sustainability officer of Nestlé Waters North America.

Innovation & Technology

New SmaaartTM Carbon Offset Program Enables Companies to Support Entrepreneurs in Emerging Markets

Sep 20, 2016 1:05 PM ET

Companies can create impacts beyond carbon that make progress on the Sustainable Development Goals while delivering US$151 in benefits per carbon credit per year. Colorado-based Envirofit International, a global social enterprise that develops clean energy cookstoves, has pioneered a new corporate carbon offset program that enables companies to impact local communities in the developing world by creating jobs and improving livelihoods. Through the programme, Envirofit links carbon credit buyers to social entrepreneurs in the developing world in order to build local capacity, develop local markets and create jobs.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Leading Companies Sign Letter in Support of Refugee Relief

Sep 20, 2016 1:00 PM ET

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation today released an open letter to the business community, signed by 49 companies, which highlights how the private sector is working to empower refugees through education, employment, and enablement

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Feeding Bodies, Minds and Futures with Feed the Children

Sep 20, 2016 12:55 PM ET

Join America's Charities (@AmerCharities), now through December, as we highlight different nonprofits and share how individuals and companies can Shape the Future of various causes through workplace giving programs.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Program Spotlight: City Mission

Sep 20, 2016 12:30 PM ET

This week, we’re highlighting a project with a talented team from State Street and its nonprofit partner, City Mission, a social justice organization that unites communities and transforms individuals through service, education, and advocacy. The team at State Street developed a refreshed brand and messaging in advance of City Mission’s 200th anniversary. As a result, City Mission secured funding for a redesigned visual brand and website, and to bring on a Director of Development to sustain the team’s work.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Sodexo Launches Clinton Global Initiative Commitment to Action that Addresses Ending Violence Against Women

Sep 20, 2016 12:30 PM ET

Sodexo, world leader in Quality of Life Services, has launched a three-year Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) commitment called Girls, Women, and the Global Goals: Workplace Strategies to End Violence Against Women.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Conflict Minerals Filings and the Automotive Industry

Sep 20, 2016 12:25 PM ET

Automakers are leading the way with their long-term commitment to corporate social responsibility and assertive supply chain transparency initiatives. At a recent event, members from the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) met to discuss leading practices in identifying and combating the funding of “conflict minerals” from areas of conflict, specifically Democratic Republic of Congo.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Sail On, Sail On, Sailor

Sep 20, 2016 12:00 PM ET

Social Impact & Volunteering

IU, Kelley School and Whirlpool Partnering on Habitat for Humanity Campus Build in Bloomington

Sep 20, 2016 12:00 PM ET

For much of their 12-year marriage, Jeff and Carla Wyatt hadn’t entertained many thoughts of buying a home. But their life took a significant turn when they assumed custody of their two young granddaughters.

Diversity & Inclusion

Wema Hoover Aims to Weave D&I into Our Corporate Fabric

Sep 20, 2016 11:35 AM ET

Energy

Twitter Chat on 9/21 at #GM100 with GM, WWF & The Climate Group

Sep 20, 2016 11:25 AM ET

Join General Motors (GM)’s Director of Sustainability, David Tulauskas, GM’s Manager of Renewable Energy, Rob Threlkeld, WWF’s Director of U.S. Climate and Renewable Energy Policy, Marty Spitzer, and The Climate Group and TriplePundit on Wednesday, September 21st at 9am PT / Noon ET, to discuss GM’s recently released renewable energy goals amidst the backdrop of Climate Week NYC!

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Quest Diagnostics Sustainability Efforts Earn Place on DJSI World and National Indices for Over Twelve Years

Sep 20, 2016 11:10 AM ET

Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX), the world's leading provider of diagnostic information services, was named for the twelfth consecutive year in the North America Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) and for a thirteenth year in the World DJSI.

Energy

The Connection Between EVs, Batteries and a Clean Grid

Sep 20, 2016 10:55 AM ET

The Chevrolet Bolt EV just received an EPA-estimated range rating of 238 miles per charge. And GM just committed to meet its entire electricity needs at all of its global operations using renewable energy by 2050.

Health & Healthcare

GOJO Industries Committed to Antibiotic Stewardship

Sep 20, 2016 10:55 AM ET

GOJO Industries pledged our commitment to antibiotic stewardship. GOJO, along with more than 150 other organizations, gathered at the White House for the White House Forum on Antibiotic Stewardship, which brought together key Federal and private constituencies involved in the development, promotion and implementation of antibiotic stewardship activities to ensure the responsible use of antibiotics in the United States. I wanted to take this time to share with you why we have joined with the White House and are committed to advancing antibiotic stewardship.

Innovation & Technology

Building a Better Future: Terre Blair & Bloomberg Launch Big Problems/Big Thinkers

Sep 20, 2016 10:40 AM ET

Environment

The Importance of Local Knowledge When Preparing an Oil Spill Response Plan

Sep 20, 2016 10:35 AM ET

Comprehensive Oil Spill Response Plans have been required for many years for containers with a capacity of 42,000 gallons or more. The goal of these comprehensive OSRPs was to detail specific response requirements in the event of a spill and ensure the transporter had plans and training in place to respond. Since a typical train tanker car only carries about 30,000 gallons, comprehensive OSRPs rarely applied to the rail industry until now.

While some routes and railroads may optionally comply with state and local regulations under the Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act, many short line railways must be knowledgeable about local regulations that may affect their planning efforts.

Events, Media & Communications

RobecoSAM Makes Corporate Sustainability Rankings Public on Bloomberg Professional Service

Sep 20, 2016 10:30 AM ET

RobecoSAM and Bloomberg published the percentile rankings of almost 2000 companies on the Bloomberg Professional service today. This move supports RobecoSAM’s mission to drive sustainable thinking in financial markets and to increase non-financial disclosure amongst corporates. The data will be available across a number of the Bloomberg Professional service’s investment tools, supporting company, industry and portfolio analysis, including ESG <GO> -- the new company ESG analysis page. RobecoSAM becomes the first company to offer a complete ESG company ranking dataset to mainstream investors through the Bloomberg Professional service.

Education

2016 Amgen Scholars by the Numbers

Sep 20, 2016 10:25 AM ET

A decade ago, the Amgen Foundation announced its commitment to educating the next generation of scientists through the new Amgen Scholars Program. Since then, the program has grown in numerous ways, expanding to 17 host institutions in the U.S., Europe and Japan and opening doors for more undergraduates across the globe.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Diabetes Campaign Launched in Nigeria to Promote Early Diagnosis

Sep 20, 2016 10:25 AM ET

Today, an extensive awareness campaign was launched in Lagos, Nigeria, to promote early diagnosis of diabetes through screening, especially among low income populations.

Environment

Big Problems. Big Thinkers. Episode 1: Climate Change

Sep 20, 2016 10:05 AM ET

"Big Problems. Big Thinkers." features acclaimed journalist Terre Blair interviewing an extraordinary group of leaders to find solutions to some of the most urgent challenges facing humanity: global climate change, financial mayhem, nuclear attacks, cyber threats, political paralysis.

Innovation & Technology

Techstars Atlanta: Get to Know Drizzle

Sep 20, 2016 10:00 AM ET

Techstars Atlanta, in partnership with Cox Enterprises, selected 10 companies to participate in the program's 2016 class. Applications for the 10 coveted spots came from around the globe, including 69 countries and six continents.

Drizzle is one of the 10 participants. Drizzle gives website owners an incredibly easy way to let their visitors pay for premium content. You can choose to charge a-la-carte for your content, or offer your visitors a subscription to access all of your content.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Aramark Employees Mobilize to Improve the Health of Families in Communities Around the World

Sep 20, 2016 10:00 AM ET

PHILADELPHIA, PA (September 20, 2016) – As part of Aramark’s ongoing commitment to health and wellness, company associates are uniting today to inspire families worldwide to make healthy food, nutrition and lifestyle choices. Aramark Building Community Day (ABC Day), the company’s global day of service, which takes place each September, is one demonstration of the year-round dedication of Aramark employees to strengthening local communities. In the U.S., this year’s effort supports the company’s Healthy for Life® 20 by 20 commitment to improve the health of Americans by 20 percent by 2020 in partnership with the American Heart Association.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

World’s Largest Combined Sewer Reservoir Captures APWA Top Environment Project Award

Sep 20, 2016 10:00 AM ET

The Thornton Composite Reservoir, part of a massive Chicago-area combined sewer tunnel collection system that helps protect against flooding and pollution resulting from storm-related sewer overflows, has been named an American Public Works Association (APWA) Public Works Project of the Year. Thornton’s reservoir capacity is up to 7.9 billion gallons of water, making it the largest combined sewer reservoir in the world.