ESG News from Leading Brands

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

FLASH REPORT: G&A Institute and Bloomberg LP Partner to Examine Bloomberg ESG Disclosure Scores For S&P 500 Companies Reporting VS Not Reporting on Sustainability

Apr 26, 2016 1:30 PM ET

Continuing the in-depth analysis of S&P 500 (r) companies' sustainability reporting activities, Governance & Accountability Institute teamed with Bloomberg LP to analyze the data, scores and perceptions presented to investment professionals using the Bloomberg Professional information platform which features ESG data and assigns disclosure scores for public companies.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Univision Launches Employee Volunteer Program with National Week of Service

Apr 26, 2016 1:30 PM ET

Univision Communications Inc. (UCI), the leading media company serving Hispanic America, today launched the Yo Soy Univision Contigo (I Am Univision Contigo) employee volunteer initiative with a national week of service, a companywide celebration of UCI’s mission to empower communities across the country. From San Antonio to Raleigh and New York to Fresno, Univision employees will volunteer at community service projects at schools, children’s hospitals, shelters, and libraries, among other locations throughout the week.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Wells Fargo Donates $50,000 to VetsinTech

Apr 26, 2016 1:15 PM ET

Wells Fargo has donated $50,000 to VetsinTech (ViT) to help support cybersecurity training programs for military veterans transitioning to technology careers. Wells Fargo shares ViT’s commitment to bringing together a tech-specific network, resources, and programs for veterans.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

MetLife Continues its Support for the TOMODACHI MetLife Women’s Leadership Program, Fostering Women as Global Leaders through 2020

Apr 26, 2016 1:00 PM ET

NEW YORK, April 25th, 2016 /3BL Media/ - MetLife Japan has partnered with the U.S.-Japan Council since 2013 in support of the TOMODACHI MetLife Women’s Leadership Program, and has decided to extend its financial support for the TOMODACHI MetLife Women’s Leadership Program (TMWLP) for the next five years, through to the year 2020.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Siemens' New Corporate Headquarters, Munich

Apr 26, 2016 12:45 PM ET

Construction of the new Siemens headquarters building at Wittelsbacherplatz in Munich is virtually complete. When it opens its doors in 2016, the building will provide a modern, inspiring work environment for up to 1,200 employees. Environmental friendliness and energy efficiency are playing a key role: the new building will meet the world's highest sustainability standards.

Innovation & Technology

Living Progress Challenge Inspires Technology-based Ideas to Solve Society's Big Problems

Apr 26, 2016 12:05 PM ET

March 11 saw the close of the Idea and Proposal submission phases of the Living Progress Challenge—which invited the global community to submit their best ideas for software solutions and digital services that can improve lives.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Giving Young People Skills to Rebound and Rise

Apr 26, 2016 12:05 PM ET

Events, Media & Communications

Pacers "Go Green" With Republic Services

Apr 26, 2016 12:05 PM ET

In celebration of the NBA's year-long "Green" initiative, the Indiana Pacers have partnered with Republic Services for a "Green Week" of activities slated for March 21-25.

Health & Healthcare

Global Health Corporate Champions: Diversity to Address Global Health Challenges

Apr 26, 2016 12:00 PM ET

“Global Pro Bono, also known as International Corporate Volunteerism, is not new. PYXERA Global has worked with a number of companies, including IBM, SAP, Dow, and Medtronic, to implement this kind of practice, but GHFPII has allowed us to open this opportunity to more companies through a multi-company cohort,” said Deirdre White, CEO, PYXERA Global. “In addition, it provides a very practical, tangible way to demonstrate the power of partnership across public, private, and social sectors, even at the individual project level.”

Research, Reports & Publications

Turning Food Waste into Clean Energy

Apr 26, 2016 12:00 PM ET

Caterpillar customer, Harvest Power, and its partners – including many of Orlando, Florida’s theme parks, hotels and restaurants – are now taking 120,000 tons of organic waste every year and turning it into energy by coupling an anaerobic digester with two Cat® generator sets.

Environment

Two Tons of Debris Removed from South Mississippi Waters by Employee Volunteers

Apr 26, 2016 12:00 PM ET

For the 7th year in a row, employee volunteers Beau Rivage spent their Earth Day, cleaning up Deer Island.

Responsible Production & Consumption

A Learning Journey – Wendy’s and Palm Oil

Apr 26, 2016 11:10 AM ET

Social Impact & Volunteering

Unadoptable is Unacceptable

Apr 26, 2016 11:05 AM ET

At the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, we believe that “unadoptable” is unacceptable. Each year 23,000 children age out of the foster care system in the United States without being adopted into a forever family. To us, that is unacceptable.

Innovation & Technology

Not Everyone is Asked, “What Do You Want to be When You Grow Up?”

Apr 26, 2016 11:05 AM ET

What if you were never asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” When I was younger, I wasn’t aware that people had different expectations of girls and boys. My parents wanted me to get good grades and have a career. They never asked, “When will you get married? How many children will you have?” Instead they asked, “What are you thinking about” And “What interests you?”

Energy

Whirlpool Corporation Integrated Supply Chain Recognized for Sustainability Efforts

Apr 26, 2016 11:00 AM ET

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

We Must Be Bold on Climate: The Paris Agreement Is Signed

Apr 26, 2016 11:00 AM ET

Leaders of more than 170 countries recently signed the Paris Agreement, marking a moment for businesses to reflect on the opportunities and risks that it presents to them, and to renew their commitment to climate action. Here's what businesses need to do.

Education

Vigilant Global Helps Students Experience the Thrill of Robotics

Apr 26, 2016 10:20 AM ET

For the fifth consecutive year, Vigilant Global employees mentored students at LaSalle Community Comprehensive High School in Montreal as part of the Robotics FIRST Quebec program.

Education

An Opportunity for Every Student to Learn Computer Science

Apr 26, 2016 10:05 AM ET

Computer science and education are making headlines nearly every day. Why? Without computer science, students will not be ready to take on the jobs of tomorrow.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Join GRI's Due Process Oversight Committee!

Apr 26, 2016 10:00 AM ET

The GRI Due Process Oversight Committee (DPOC) ensures that the standard-setting activities of the GRI Global Sustainability Standards Board (GSSB) are conducted in accordance with its due process.

Responsible Production & Consumption

We Now Interrupt This Program…Focus on Food Waste

Apr 26, 2016 10:00 AM ET

Remember when I said that tossing out a single strawberry wastes about a half-gallon of water?

Responsible Production & Consumption

Sustainable Freight Transportation

Apr 26, 2016 9:05 AM ET

Intermodal freight – consumer goods that move in containers and trailers by more than one mode of transportation – has been one of Norfolk Southern’s fastest-growing market segments.

Environment

US and UK Studies Issue Warnings About Financial and Health Impacts of Climate Change

Apr 26, 2016 9:00 AM ET

A new study by the London School of Economic (LSE), published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Climate Change, says climate change could cut the value of the world’s financial assets by $2.5tn (£1.7tn).

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

[VIDEO] Benevity User Conference 2016: Kal Stein on Workplace Giving

Apr 26, 2016 9:00 AM ET

Recently in San Diego, business leaders from the U.S. and Canada gathered at Benevity's Goodness Matters User Conference to discuss the future of corporate philanthropy. In this video filmed at the conference, Kal Stein, Benevity Nonprofit Community Council Chair, discusses how technology can drive change and efficiency in the charitable landscape.

Environment

In Honor of Earth Day, National Geographic's Ford Cochran Takes Fox Colleagues on a Virtual Tour Through America's National Parks

Apr 26, 2016 8:00 AM ET

As part of 21st Century Fox's Earth Day celebrations, Fox colleagues in LA were treated to a special presentation by Ford Cochran, renowned geologist, journalist, educator and director of programming at National Geographic Expeditions. Cochran, who has dedicated his career to the exploration and protection of parks, took attendees on a visual journey through some of the United States' most iconic national parks, accompanied by the stunning photography for which National Geographic is known. National Geographic is currently running its Power of Parks campaign, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service.

Social Impact & Volunteering

LIVESTRONG Leader Runs The Boston Marathon

Apr 25, 2016 6:10 PM ET

LIVESTRONG Leaders are individuals that make a yearly significant commitment to those in their community affected by cancer by spreading the message of LIVESTRONG. They do this by fundraising, hosting events, bringing LIVESTRONG resources to their local hospitals and more. One of our amazing leaders from California, Phil Toomey, talks about why he is involved with LIVESTRONG and what he is doing in his community to help spread the LIVESTRONG message.