ESG News from Leading Brands

Diversity & Inclusion

Senior Staff Officers Bring a Combined 95 Years of Service to Holland America Line’s New Koningsdam

Nov 11, 2015 10:25 AM ET

When Holland America Line’s ms Koningsdam debuts in April 2016, the ship’s senior staff officers will set sail with a combined 95 years of company loyalty and experience. In addition to the previously announced appointment of Captain Emiel de Vries, the cruise line announced that Hotel Director Stan Kuppens, Chief Engineer Willem Zuidema, Staff Captain Kevin Beirnaert and Safety, Environmental and Health Officer Martijn van Dam will lead Koningsdam’s shipboard teams.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Whirlpool Corporation: Recognizing America’s Veterans Today and Every Day

Nov 11, 2015 10:15 AM ET

Each year, on November 11th, our country comes together to recognize the commitment the men and women of our armed forces make to protect our freedom and uphold the liberties we have been afforded. Whirlpool Corporation joins millions of Americans as we celebrate the service and the sacrifice of our nation’s veterans.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

RSF Social Finance Loan to Froozer Helps Bring Whole Produce to Schools, Hospitals

Nov 11, 2015 10:05 AM ET

Obesity and diabetes rates in the United States have hit an all-time high. More than two in three American adults are considered overweight today, according to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, a health research center. Children are no better off, reporting skyrocketing increases in new Type-2 diabetes cases; a condition previously unheard of in people under 30.

Research, Reports & Publications

AEP Develops New Cutting-Edge Transmission Technology

Nov 11, 2015 10:00 AM ET

American Electric Power develops new, innovative transmission line technology with an efficient, compact and more aesthetically pleasing line design, called BOLD™ (Breakthrough Overhead Line Design).

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Rockefeller Foundation President Judith Rodin Discusses Resilience Dividend at BSR Conference 2015

Nov 11, 2015 10:00 AM ET

In a plenary address at the BSR Conference 2015, The Rockefeller Foundation President Judith Rodin discussed resilience, risk, and leadership.

Health & Healthcare

Using Your Legs in a City Designed for Cars

Nov 11, 2015 9:35 AM ET

When talking about global development, we tend to think of developing world challenges such as poverty reduction, HIV/AIDS and access to clean water. However, with the adoption of the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), sustainable development has become a universal concern that must be addressed in both low- and high income countries. In the US, the city of Houston illustrates the health challenges of modern urban life.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Action Team Captains & Major Leaguers Pitch in for Local Special Olympics Team

Nov 11, 2015 9:30 AM ET

Players Trevor Brown, Mike Montgomery and Chad Smith joined Action Team Captains from West Ranch High School when they hosted their annual softball game with the local Special Olympics Sharks earlier this month.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Barclays Increases Access to Finance and Reaches New Markets

Nov 11, 2015 9:00 AM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Maytag Brand and Maytag Man Support the Movember Movement to Support Men's Health

Nov 11, 2015 9:00 AM ET

Innovation & Technology

Abbott Recognized for Advancing Shared Value in India

Nov 11, 2015 9:00 AM ET

An article from Shared Value Initiative recently named Abbott a "company to watch" for leadership in shared value and investing in innovations to address societal needs through business.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Ten innovative nonprofits receive $40,000 GSK IMPACT Awards for contributing to a healthier Philadelphia region

Nov 11, 2015 9:00 AM ET

GSK [LSE/NYSE: GSK] and United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey (UWGPSNJ) today announced the GSK IMPACT Award Winners in a ceremony at GSK’s Navy Yard site. Ten local nonprofits earned $40,000 each in recognition of their outstanding contributions to a healthier Philadelphia region.

Diversity & Inclusion

Exclusive Q&A: CBRE's Georgia Collins on Meeting the Demands of the Workplace

Nov 11, 2015 8:35 AM ET

Energy

Toward a Predictive Model of Energy Developments

Nov 11, 2015 8:30 AM ET

Environment

Giving Waste New Meaning

Nov 11, 2015 8:30 AM ET

The conversion of the Cloquet pulp mill to manufacture dissolving pulp resulted in increased quantities of lime mud due to the cooking requirements of this higher-purity pulp. The impact of this change can be seen in both the total solid waste to landfill and the tonnes of solid waste processed through the Cloquet Mill’s beneficial use program with local farmers.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Feeding Program Fights Hunger in Mindanao

Nov 11, 2015 8:05 AM ET

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Blue Star Families Hosts Books on Bases Event for 500 U.S. Military Families in Colorado

Nov 11, 2015 7:50 AM ET

Five hundred U.S. military children and their parents stationed throughout the Colorado Springs area, participated in a Blue Star Families’ Books on Bases program, coordinated with support from Disney and its media network ESPN. During the event, including a surprise guest appearance, Blue Star Families and Disney VoluntEARS engaged military children and their families in art activities, including: making pirate swords, crowns and bookmarks. As families left the event, each child was given a reusable Blue Star Families tote bag full of read-along stories from Disney Publishing Worldwide and Disney plush toys.

Responsible Production & Consumption

ANSI Approves LEO-4000: American National Standard for Sustainable Agriculture

Nov 11, 2015 7:30 AM ET

The National Standard for Sustainable Agriculture (LEO-4000) has been approved!

Events, Media & Communications

MGM Resorts International to Host More Than 70 Wounded Warriors in Las Vegas for Veterans Day Weekend

Nov 11, 2015 7:00 AM ET

The five-day event, Nov. 13-17, is “A Salute to the Troops” weekend and includes a “Wall of Gratitude” where hundreds of MGM Resorts employees will gather to welcome and thank the veterans as they parade through The Mirage Hotel & Casino upon their arrival. There will also be a special welcome dinner, and excursions in and around Las Vegas and Southern Nevada. Special stops include: Terry Fator: The VOICE of Entertainment at The Mirage, Cirque du Soleil’s “O” at Bellagio Resort & Casino and a concert by Gary Sinise and the LT. Dan Band. Skydiving and helicopter tours in the Las Vegas area are also part of the plans.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

How Transparent Is Your Supply Chain? Slavery Can Be Just Around The Corner

Nov 10, 2015 7:00 PM ET

Innovation & Technology

New GM Wind Tunnel Accelerates Fuel-Saving Designs

Nov 10, 2015 5:40 PM ET

General Motors is now able to accelerate and verify fuel-saving designs earlier in development of new cars and trucks thanks to a new reduced scale wind tunnel test facility on the campus of the company’s Technical Center.

Events, Media & Communications

Samsung Wins 38 CES 2016 Innovation Awards, Bringing its 10-year Total to 309 including 22 Best of Innovation Awards

Nov 10, 2015 5:00 PM ET

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., a global leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, semiconductors and telecommunications, today announced that it won 37 prestigious International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2016 Innovation Awards. The Consumer Technology Association™ (CTA), the producer of CES 2016 - the global gathering place for all who thrive on the business of consumer technologies, who has been recognizing achievements in product design and engineering since 1976, has honored Samsung with one more Best of Innovation Award this year than last year.

Education

Chicago-Area Teachers Explore STEM Education with CITGO and the Ocean Exploration Trust

Nov 10, 2015 4:15 PM ET

More than 30 Chicago-area educators recently gathered at the CITGO Petroleum Corp. Lemont Refinery to take part in the Nautilus Exploration Program CITGO STEM Academy. Funded by CITGO, the free, day-long program provided a unique opportunity for local educators to learn more about deep-ocean exploration, network with their peers and partake in a variety of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)-related activities.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Disney Donates $1.5 Million to Feeding America to Help Inspire Healthier Generations and Promote Nationwide Access to More Nutritious Foods

Nov 10, 2015 3:05 PM ET

Feeding America, the nation’s leading hunger-relief organization, salutes The Walt Disney Company for its $1.5 million donation, the vast majority of which will provide grants to 60 food banks across the nation to expand their local fresh produce sourcing and distribution programs. The donation will be announced on ABC’s “The Chew” today at 1:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. CT/PT.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Robert Reich Explores Resilience, Inclusive Economy at the BSR Conference 2015

Nov 10, 2015 3:00 PM ET

In a plenary address at the BSR Conference 2015, Robert Reich, Chancellor’s Professor of Public Policy at University of California, Berkeley and Senior Fellow at Blum Center for Developing Economies, explored how resilience and the inclusive economy intersect.

Diversity & Inclusion

Cox Automotive Trio Recognized Among Leading Women in North American Auto Industry by Automotive News

Nov 10, 2015 2:45 PM ET

Cox Automotive’s commitment to creating a culture built upon courageous leadership, innovation and growth was recognized by Automotive News as it named Janet Barnard, president, Manheim North America; Lori Wittman, vice president and general manager, VinSolutions; and Sharon Kitzman, vice president and general manager, Dealer Management Systems, Dealertrack, to its list of 100 Leading Women in the North American Auto Industry during its annual awards ceremony on Nov. 9 in Detroit.