ESG News from Leading Brands

Environment

National Geographic Brings President Obama to Yosemite to Record The White House's First Ever VR Experience

Jun 23, 2016 10:00 PM ET

National Geographic partnered with Facebook and Félix & Paul Studios to create The White House's first ever 360-degree virtual reality video experience during President Barack Obama's June 18 visit to Yosemite National Park. Audiences will have the chance to view the VR video later this summer, along with a full interview between the President and Richard Bacon, host of Explorer on 21st Century Fox's National Geographic Channel. The interview will be broadcast as part of National Geographic's Power of Parks initiative, a year-long programming push to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the National Parks Service.

Environment

The Smart City Solution

Jun 23, 2016 9:00 PM ET

Today, 80 percent of us live in cities, an explosive growth in urbanization that shows no sign of slowing down. But what are the consequences of this rapid change — for us and for our planet? As our populations condense around cities, we face tremendous challenges and exciting opportunities to make city life better and more sustainable. The key? Make our cities "smart."

Events, Media & Communications

Business Leaders Endorse Sustainable Development Goals as Framework for Shaping Corporate Strategies

Jun 23, 2016 7:35 PM ET

At the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit 2016, more than 600 business leaders from 75 countries joined leaders from civil society, the UN and Government to advance private sector actions for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Opened yesterday at United Nations Headquarters by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the second day of the Summit focused on how companies can transform their business models to responsibly meet the needs of society, tap into new markets and achieve success.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Versaic's Financial Clients Making a Difference- June 2016

Jun 23, 2016 6:10 PM ET

From banking clients, M&T, Citi, and Fifth Third to Highmark and Dr. Pepper Snapple...check out some of our client's philanthropic stories below. We hope their good work will inspire you in your quest for making an impact in your community!

Responsible Production & Consumption

Effective Compliance & Ethics Programs Reduce Federal Fines by up to 95%

Jun 23, 2016 5:35 PM ET

Last year, the U.S. Sentencing Commission released a set of guidelines for fines assessed to organizations found responsible for federal offenses. The guidelines specify that companies with an “effective compliance and ethics program in place,” including those supported by a third party service provider, can qualify to have their fines reduced by up to 95%.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Forest City Celebrates 13th Annual Community Day

Jun 23, 2016 5:25 PM ET

On Friday, June 24, more than 650 associates of Forest City Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: FCEA and FCEB), will participate in the company's 13th annual Community Day, a paid day of service benefitting non-profit organizations in many of the cities where the company has a presence. This year, associates from more than 65 Forest City locations will come together to provide assistance to charities and agencies in their respective communities.

Innovation & Technology

Utilities Progressively Move Toward Automation Programs to Boost Reliability

Jun 23, 2016 5:00 PM ET

Old and obsolete equipment and lack of integration of automation into the overall enterprise – coupled with reliability mandates – have created an environment ripe for the adoption of distribution automation and advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) programs for utilities.

Education

Driving Employment Opportunities for First Nations

Jun 23, 2016 4:50 PM ET

TransCanada-sponsored Building Environmental Aboriginal Human Resources (BEAHR) program helps build strong futures for Indigenous Peoples, such as Curve Lake First Nation resident Paige Williams, who is following her passion to pursue a career as a biologist.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Two Startups Addressing Digital and Financial Inclusion Each Receive $50,000 Investments from the Points of Light Civic Accelerator

Jun 23, 2016 4:05 PM ET

ATLANTA, GA (June 22, 2016) – The Points of Light Civic Accelerator announced today that it will invest $50,000 each in New York On Tech and PYT Funds – one nonprofit and one for-profit startup. Both are creating greater opportunities for all to succeed in the digital economy by launching new models to increase financial and digital inclusion.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Nasdaq President Addresses Sustainability Reporting

Jun 23, 2016 3:30 PM ET

“If we make the make the mandatory standard too high, it will stifle the ability for entrepreneurial companies, and particularly small businesses, to get access to capital to grow, create jobs, create wealth and improve the overall economy,” Friedman told the UN audience. “Therefore it is a balance that we have to strike between mandatory and voluntary standards.”

Environment

Strong Water Risk Management Urged by Nestlé Waters Sustainability Chief

Jun 23, 2016 3:00 PM ET

There is a pressing need for companies to address water risks in their supply chain, according to well-known sustainability innovator Nelson Switzer, chief sustainability officer for Nestlé Waters North America, speaking at a national environmental conference today.

Research, Reports & Publications

Caterpillar's Commitment to Alternative and Renewable Energy

Jun 23, 2016 3:00 PM ET

Across Caterpillar’s global operations, our employees are exploring ways to incorporate alternative and renewable energies to improve our safety, efficiency and sustainability performance. In 2015, 27.1 percent of our electrical energy was from renewable or alternative sources.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Avnet Interns Make a Difference at St. Mary’s Food Bank

Jun 23, 2016 2:30 PM ET

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Sodexo Employee Business Resource Groups Award $45,000 in Community Grants

Jun 23, 2016 2:05 PM ET

Sodexo Employee Business Resource Groups Award $45,000 in Community Grants

Funds for the award grants were generated through the proceeds from Sodexo’s Technology Recycling Program

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

There’s a Clear Path for Business on Sustainability, Finds United Nations Global Compact-Accenture Strategy Study

Jun 23, 2016 1:35 PM ET

The United Nations Global Compact-Accenture Strategy CEO Study 2016, Agenda 2030: A Window of Opportunity, finds business leaders accepting a mandate to take the lead in solving societal challenges. The survey of more than 1,000 CEOs, who are already committed to sustainability through their participation in the UN Global Compact, shows that they now see a unique opportunity to reshape their industries and accelerate progress towards the SDGs.

Health & Healthcare

New Report Aims to Help Health Care Sector Address Inequalities in Access to Specialty Care

Jun 23, 2016 1:30 PM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Bloomberg Philanthropies Support 'Extravaganza Macabre' Launch at Battersea Arts Centre

Jun 23, 2016 1:30 PM ET

Extravaganza Macabre is the latest in a series of Playground Projects at Battersea Arts Centre supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, which over the last ten years has supported projects with lasting legacies that touch every part of the organisation.

Education

Unlocking Imagination Through Writing

Jun 23, 2016 1:25 PM ET

Remember the first time you put pen to paper as a kid to write your first story? It was a world of endless possibility, defined only by your imagination. Flying cars, dogs in suits, chocolate planets -- you could create any world you wanted.

Social Impact & Volunteering

What Do You Do if You are One of the 200 People Each Week Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?

Jun 23, 2016 1:15 PM ET

Imagine waking up one morning and you can’t feel your legs… or you have double vision… or you have trouble moving and are too dizzy to stand. You go see your doctor, and you may go to several doctors, but eventually you are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). And you are just one of 200 people in the United States who are diagnosed every week with this debilitating condition.

Research, Reports & Publications

Pfizer Colleagues Volunteer Skills and Expertise to Improve Public Health

Jun 23, 2016 1:10 PM ET

Global Health Fellows (GHF), Pfizer’s signature corporate volunteer program, allows Pfizer colleagues to use their skills and expertise to work with international development organizations to strengthen health services for people living in developing and low resource areas.

Environment

GM and U.S. Navy Collaborating on Fuel Cell-Powered Underwater Unmanned Vehicles

Jun 23, 2016 1:05 PM ET

General Motors, the Office of Naval Research and the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory are cooperating to incorporate automotive hydrogen fuel cell systems into the next generation of Navy unmanned undersea vehicles, or UUVs.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Timberland Announces Commitment to Restore and Create Green Spaces in Five Cities over the Next Five Years

Jun 23, 2016 1:05 PM ET

As an outdoor lifestyle brand, Timberland has a longstanding commitment to protecting and restoring the outdoors. Not only the great outdoors, but the city parks, community gardens and green spaces its consumers explore every day. As part of this commitment, Timberland announces a goal to double its footprint in five U.S. cities by 2020 -- but not in the way you might think. Each year for the next five years, the brand will choose a different city with a Timberland® store, and match its retail floor space with the creation or restoration of an equivalent amount of green space in that city.

Events, Media & Communications

USBG World Class Sponsored by Diageo Announce Andrew Meltzer as the 2016 U.S. Bartender of the Year

Jun 23, 2016 12:30 PM ET

After two challenging days of standout mixology showmanship, the United States Bartender’s Guild (USBG) World Class Sponsored by Diageo has named Andrew Meltzer as the 2016 U.S. Bartender of the Year.

Education

Whirlpool Corporation is Proud to Support FIRST Robotics

Jun 23, 2016 12:30 PM ET

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Only One Week Left for the Best BSR16 Rates

Jun 23, 2016 12:00 PM ET

To take advantage of the most discounted BSR Conference 2016 rates, register before June 30.