ESG News from Leading Brands

Research, Reports & Publications

Diageo Reports Good First Year Progress Against 2020 Sustainability and Responsibility Targets

Aug 12, 2016 9:00 AM ET

Diageo, a global leader in beverage alcohol, this week reported strong progress against its 2020 sustainability and responsibility targets with the publication of the company's 2016 Annual Report. Diageo made notable gains in its improvement in water efficiency, reduction of carbon emissions and waste materials as well as taking new steps to promote responsible drinking and agreed strategic partnerships with development organisations.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Xylem Sparking A Renaissance

Aug 12, 2016 9:00 AM ET

With our original research, entitled Powering the Wastewater Renaissance, we outlined how the wastewater sector could cut energy consumption and reduce related harmful emissions with existing proven technologies.

Events, Media & Communications

My First RAGBRAI: An Incredible Experience

Aug 12, 2016 8:00 AM ET

I was told that RAGBRAI was hard to put into words, that it was just something you needed to experience in order to understand. I don’t think you can fully grasp the magnitude of 35,000 people riding 420 miles on their bikes across the state of Iowa for 7 days until you see it in person.

Social Impact & Volunteering

A Good Neighbour in Bad Times

Aug 12, 2016 8:00 AM ET

TransCanada provides immediate support to First Nation’s communities after a huge tornado rips a path through southern Manitoba.

Research, Reports & Publications

Telstra Releases Bigger Picture 2016 Sustainability Report

Aug 12, 2016 5:00 AM ET

Telstra has released its Bigger Picture 2016 Sustainability Report, detailing the company’s progress in embedding its three strategic sustainability priorities – Everyone Connected, Environmental leadership and Employee involvement – and in responding to the issues that matter most to its operations and stakeholders.

Diversity & Inclusion

Fx Reshaping Hollywood with Big Push for Diversity Behind the Camera

Aug 11, 2016 10:00 PM ET

FX CEO John Landgraf dedicated a sizable portion of his August 9 session at the TCA Summer Press Tour to this issue of diversity in Hollywood, announcing that the network has dramatically expanded opportunities for diverse directors. Currently, 51% of the directors hired to work on FX and FXX shows during the 2016-2017 season are women or people of color.

Environment

Accelerated Sustainable Resource Leadership Championed By Nestle Waters Sustainability Chief

Aug 11, 2016 8:00 PM ET

Pointing out that many collaboration efforts today may be well intentioned, but create limited shared value for both corporations and communities, Nelson Switzer, chief sustainability officer for Nestlé Waters North America, today called for aggressive new leadership in collective action through partnership to solve shared water challenges. He outlined this thinking at the 2016 Global Sustainability Summit (http://www.fmi.org/sustainability2016/overview) of the Food Marketing Institute and the Grocery Manufacturers Association being held in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Events, Media & Communications

Enabling Greater Financial Capability

Aug 11, 2016 5:00 PM ET

An astounding two billion people around the world still lack access to modern financial services. While the finance gap is most acute in the developing world, communities and businesses across the United States also lack adequate access to finance. In the meantime, there are still big gaps in financial literacy and capability even among those who have access to finance.

Environment

Europe Assesses Chemicals Legislation; REACH Moves Away from Animal Testing

Aug 11, 2016 4:10 PM ET

The European Commission is currently implementing a fitness check as part of its broader goal for better regulation – “designing policies and laws so that they achieve their objectives in the most efficient and effective way possible.” Better regulation ensures that EU policies are relevant, policy-making is informed by evidence, and that stakeholders are a part of the process.

Events, Media & Communications

Join Us for "Good to Great--Building a Best-in-Class CSR Dept" CSR Certificate Program with The Institute for Ethical Leadership at Rutgers

Aug 11, 2016 4:00 PM ET

Join Us for Our Second CSR Certificate Program with The Institute for Ethical Leadership at Rutgers Business School Newark Titled "Good to Great -- Building a Best-in-Class CSR Department" (September 28-29, 2016)

Responsible Production & Consumption

Farmers Markets Offer Benefits That Go Beyond Health

Aug 11, 2016 3:40 PM ET

This is National Farmers Market week, and markets near you are probably ready to brim full of fruits and vegetables that local farmers will harvest through the fall. Famers Markets can be a lot of fun to visit—you might even discover a fruit or vegetable variety that you didn’t even know existed. But there are also health, environmental and community benefits that come from buying and eating fresh, local produce.

Diversity & Inclusion

The Importance of Connections in Customized Employment

Aug 11, 2016 3:10 PM ET

If there was a theme of my work with Melissa to support her to find a job, it would be the importance of connections. Good connections are important, no matter who is looking for a job.

Innovation & Technology

Corporate Giving: How to Ease the Transition from a Manual to an Automated System

Aug 11, 2016 3:05 PM ET

Dear Andy: We have a Corporate Giving Program but our process is totally manual (about 16 different spreadsheets, hundreds of emails) and things are falling through the cracks. I want to move to something automated but am nervous about the transition and losing critical data. What do you recommend to make the transition easier? - Trapped Under Paperwork

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Guest Blog: From Hopeless to Hopeful. Finding a Family for Paul

Aug 11, 2016 3:00 PM ET

Courtney Angeles is a Wendy’s Wonderful Kids recruiter and works each day to find loving permanent homes for children in foster care.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Points of Light and The Walt Disney Company Call for Daily Point of Light Award Nominations for Families

Aug 11, 2016 2:20 PM ET

Points of Light and The Walt Disney Company will celebrate the impact of family volunteering across the nation by honoring exemplary family volunteers with a Daily Point of Light Award. The award recognizes their commitment to volunteering as a family.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Republic Services Donates $1,500 to the Marlborough Labor Day Parade

Aug 11, 2016 2:05 PM ET

Marlborough – Mayor Arthur Vigeant July 27 accepted a generous Marlborough Labor Day Parade sponsorship presented by Republic Services’ Municipal Services Manager Terry Grady. This year’s parade will be held Monday, Sept. 5, at 12 p.m.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Huggies and Plunket Encourage New Zealand Families to Make Time for Hugs

Aug 11, 2016 2:00 PM ET

Events, Media & Communications

Univision Promotes "Access for All" with Community Empowerment Programs

Aug 11, 2016 1:30 PM ET

By focusing on four areas most critical for success – education, health, prosperity, and civic engagement – Univision is empowering the Hispanic community by providing families life-changing access to information, programs and services.

Innovation & Technology

The Power of Digital Inclusion: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Announces Living Progress Challenge Winners

Aug 11, 2016 1:10 PM ET

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Green Builder Magazine Celebrates Ingersoll Rand as an Eco-Leader for Second Consecutive Year

Aug 11, 2016 1:05 PM ET

Ingersoll Rand is recognized on Green Builder Magazine’s annual list of Eco-Leaders for a second consecutive year. The honor highlights a number of key attributes that differentiate Ingersoll Rand’s approach to energy efficiency and sustainability.

Research, Reports & Publications

Diageo Reports Good First Year Progress Against 2020 Sustainability and Responsibility Targets

Aug 11, 2016 12:45 PM ET

Diageo, a global leader in beverage alcohol, this week reported strong progress against its 2020 Sustainability and Responsibility targets with the publication of its 2016 Annual Report.

Health & Healthcare

Flint, Michigan – Making Sure History Doesn’t Repeat Itself

Aug 11, 2016 12:30 PM ET

The news of contaminated water reaching the citizens of Flint, Michigan, has been heartbreaking – and worrisome. How easily could this happen in towns across the U.S.?

As members of the Real Time Corrosion Control Monitoring for Drinking Water project team for the Booz Allen Hamilton’s Summer Games Challenge, we are using innovative technologies to rethink and develop new solutions involving instant detection and real-time reporting to ensure those towns are protected.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Mirage in the Middle of the City: Hear Out the Business Case for Supporting Social Causes

Aug 11, 2016 12:05 PM ET

David Tulauskas, General Motors’ director of sustainability, recalls how recognizing a homeless person on his way to work underscored his belief that for businesses to thrive, the communities in which they operate need to flourish. There’s an interconnection of social impact and business value.

Innovation & Technology

Qualcomm's Smart Campus Wins Digital Innovation Award

Aug 11, 2016 12:05 PM ET

Qualcomm has served as the essential accelerator to the mobile device market for more than 30 years. Our mobile processors and modems have been “under the hood” of thousands of flagship mobile device models. Now, the need for mobile connectivity is expanding beyond — far beyond — smartphones and tablets. The Internet of Things (IoT) has expanded the market for mobile connectivity. And one of the main benefactors of the IoT revolution are Smart Cities.

Environment

Kate Zerrenner on the Rio Olympics

Aug 11, 2016 11:35 AM ET

If you’ve been tuning into the Olympics in Rio this week, you’ve probably watched your fair share of inspirational profiles of athletes. You may also have been following some of the stories emerging out of Brazil about the corruption, poor environmental stewardship, and social justice transgressions surrounding the Olympics.