ESG News from Leading Brands

Education

21st Century Fox Honors American Idol Legacy with School Music Grants, Over $1M Donated by 21CF to Arts Education Since 2011

Apr 1, 2016 5:00 PM ET

To commemorate the series finale of FOX's groundbreaking reality series "American Idol," 21CF and the Give a Note Foundation announced a new wave of the 21st Century Fox Give a Note Grants, which will support up to 20 under-funded music education programs at schools across the United States. The company has worked with Give a Note since 2011, donating more than $1 million to nearly 90 schools in that time. The new grants honor the series' 15-season run, over the course of which it created some of music's biggest stars and inspired millions of young people to pursue music and get involved in their schools' arts programs.

Education

Announcing Xploration Station's #StudentAstronaut Contest, Giving STEM Students the Chance to Train like an Astronaut

Apr 1, 2016 4:00 PM ET

Xploration Station, the country’s only E/I broadcast destination dedicated exclusively to STEM programming for teens and their families, announced the return of its #StudentAstronaut contest today. This will be the second iteration of the nationwide competition tied to the popular series Xploration Outer Space.

Energy

Major Brand Companies Across Industries Filing Legal Brief Supporting EPA’s Clean Power Plan

Apr 1, 2016 2:25 PM ET

Four global brand companies with significant energy footprints in nearly every state in the country are filing an amicus brief today in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit supporting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan aimed at reducing carbon pollution from the nation’s electric sector.

Environment

Addressing Fresh Water Deficiency

Apr 1, 2016 1:00 PM ET

For many countries, fresh water availability is an acute concern. In some cases it is the sheer number of people in one location that is triggering the deficiency, in others it is rising sea levels due to climate change and in some situations it is a particular industry, such as cotton that is causing the problem. Because of this, over 1 billion people have no access to clean drinking water and 2 million people die annually from water-related diseases.

Innovation & Technology

4 New Leaders Who Are Living Shared Value

Apr 1, 2016 1:00 PM ET

We're pleased to present you with the winners of the Shared Value Storytellers competition—four crowdsourced innovators who will present their inspiring stories at the Shared Value Leadership Summit on May 10-11 in New York.

Research, Reports & Publications

New Report Shows How Business Responds to Disasters Effectively

Apr 1, 2016 12:30 PM ET

Companies often play a critical role in managing the effects of disasters. A Unified Front: Business Partnerships for Effective Disaster Preparedness, Response, and Recovery highlights best practices for utilizing business assets and developing strategic partnerships to help communities prepare for and recover from disasters.

Social Impact & Volunteering

#EarthMonth Profile: Cox Conserves Heroes Improve Outdoor Spaces For All

Apr 1, 2016 11:30 AM ET

April is a month to observe sustainability and encourage eco-friendly behavior. The Cox Conserves Heroes program, however, celebrates environmental volunteers all year long.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Living Cities Launches New $31 Million Blended Catalyst Fund for Social Impact Investment in US Cities

Apr 1, 2016 11:30 AM ET

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Ceres’ Response to the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures Scoping Report

Apr 1, 2016 11:20 AM ET

Ceres president Mindy Lubber praised the members of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) on the release of their “Phase 1” report today, which lays out the scope and high level objectives for the task force’s work.

Environment

NWF Asks Americans to Pledge to Be Butterfly Heroes

Apr 1, 2016 11:15 AM ET

The National Wildlife Federation today announced the launch of Butterfly Heroes presented by Subaru with a goal of 100,000 Americans pledging to help save monarchs and other critically important pollinators in 2016.

Environment

Talk with Green Guy Show - Mayors Climate Summit Series. Interview with Mayor Esther Manheimer of Asheville, NC

Apr 1, 2016 11:00 AM ET

Listen to Talk with Green Guy's interview with Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer talking about sustainability initiatives

Responsible Production & Consumption

Plastics News Profiles One Company's Unique Approach to Healthcare Plastics Recycling

Apr 1, 2016 10:55 AM ET

Plastics News has a great new piece about the work Triumvirate Environmental Inc is doing to recycle healthcare plastics by transforming them into plastic lumber through their subsidiary brand Best Plus.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Sands Cares Featured in Hotel Business Magazine

Apr 1, 2016 10:40 AM ET

Diversity & Inclusion

Practitioner Spotlight--Chris Bone

Apr 1, 2016 10:35 AM ET

Let's take a look at some of Antea Group's most valuable resources--its people! Next up is information and knowledge management practitioner Chris Bone, who talks to us about what surprises people most about his job, the key ingredient for success as a data management practitioner, and what fictional character he'd most love to work with.

Social Impact & Volunteering

A Recipe for Taking Action Against Hunger

Apr 1, 2016 10:30 AM ET

What can a kid do to fight hunger? That was a question I asked myself when I was 7 years old. I saw a man on a street corner holding a sign that read: NEED A MEAL. It made me sad inside, and I knew I needed to do something about it. But what could I do? I was just 7 years old.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

George, the "Science Liaison Leader”

Apr 1, 2016 10:00 AM ET

An interview with George, GSK Medical Science Liaison Director. George has his Pharm.D., is based in Dallas, TX, has worked for GSK for fourteen years, and manages of a team of eight other MSLs.

Energy

Gas-to-Electricity Plant Debuts at Irvine's Bowerman Landfill

Apr 1, 2016 9:50 AM ET

The Bowerman Power Project went into operation this week, converting methane gas, a byproduct of landfill trash, into enough electricity to power 26,000 homes.

Health & Healthcare

Fast Food has Replaced Everything

Apr 1, 2016 9:15 AM ET

Cities influence how we live, travel and eat, all of which have an impact on our health. Novo Nordisk’s latest issue of TBL Quarterly takes you to the city streets to show the challenges and opportunities to improve the health of urbanites living with type 2 diabetes. ​

Environment

Six Green Spaces That Transform Buildings into Sky Gardens

Apr 1, 2016 9:05 AM ET

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Championing Women in the Social Impact Sector

Apr 1, 2016 9:00 AM ET

Since launching The Wakeman Agency in 2003, Vanessa Wakeman has been recognized as a champion for nonprofits and progressive organizations at the forefront of innovation and social change.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Merck Receives 2016 ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award From U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Apr 1, 2016 9:00 AM ET

Environment

Bacardi Good Spirited: Tips for a More Sustainable Office

Apr 1, 2016 8:30 AM ET

Responsible Production & Consumption

Anti-Slavery Sees Signifiant Changes in March

Apr 1, 2016 8:25 AM ET

As March comes to a close, news and legislation regarding anti-slavery has significantly impacted the way supply chains will work.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Benevity and TechSoup Join Forces to Deliver Unparalleled Global Donation Platform

Mar 31, 2016 6:45 PM ET

Benevity, Inc., the global leader in online workplace giving, matching, volunteering and grant management solutions, today announced a formal partnership with TechSoup Global, the leading online platform connecting validated nonprofits to in-kind technology and philanthropic resources at scale.

Environment

Ray C. Anderson Foundation Names Michael Molitor as Senior Fellow

Mar 31, 2016 5:45 PM ET

Ray C. Anderson Foundation Names Michael Molitor as Senior Fellow. Researcher and Writer is an Expert on Resource Productivity and the Circular Economy