ESG News from Leading Brands

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Adoption-Friendly Benefits In The Workplace – It Is The Right Thing To Do

Jul 26, 2018 11:00 AM ET

From simple education activities to implementing a robust adoption benefits program, workplace support of adoption not only increases awareness about the issues confronting our most vulnerable children, but also provides critical support for families formed through adoption. Employers have the power to make a crucial difference in the lives of waiting children.

Environment

Expanding Safe Water Access – An Urgent Global Need

Jul 26, 2018 11:00 AM ET

Perhaps it goes without saying: no resource is more vital to humanity than water. And yet, 844 million people—one in ten worldwide—do not have access to #cleanwater. And demand for water is on the rise.

Sustainable Development Goals

Doing More With Less: Three Trends Shaping the Future of Packaging

Jul 26, 2018 11:00 AM ET

One of the most rewarding things about working for Avery Dennison is being part of a company that has, for over eight decades, created many of the label and packaging industry’s landmark innovations. To be sure, our inventiveness has been driven by a love of materials science that started with Stan Avery and persists to this day. But it also stems from our equally longstanding commitment to anticipating and meeting our customers’ needs.

Social Impact & Volunteering

PHOTO GALLERY | Epsilon and Conversant Associates Give Back at Chicago Cares Serve-A-Thon

Jul 26, 2018 10:45 AM ET

On June 23, Epsilon and Conversant associates helped spruce up Chicago Public Schools buildings as part of the 25th annual Chicago Cares Serve-A-Thon, the city’s largest day of community service.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

KOMIDA: Investing in a Future Without Poverty in Indonesia

Jul 26, 2018 10:35 AM ET

As part of Whole Planet Foundation’s annual due diligence visits to our microfinance partners around the globe, we observe the presence or absence of “responsible finance indicators” which shed light on how our partners are serving the world’s poorest people. Many of our microfinance partners use or develop strategies to inform their work, ensuring they are reaching their target populations with the services they need most.

Diversity & Inclusion

P&G Takes Pledge to #FreeTheBid, Promote Gender Equality in Media, Advertising

Jul 26, 2018 10:15 AM ET

Procter & Gamble (P&G), the world’s largest advertiser, advanced its commitment to gender equality through a series of new actions and partnerships announced at the 2018 Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity. P&G has called for an aspiration to achieve 100 percent accurate and positive portrayals of women in advertising and media, supported by equal representation of women and men in the creative supply chain including through the Free The Bid pledge.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

How Sustainability Has Transformed AEP's Business Culture

Jul 26, 2018 10:00 AM ET

Sandy Nessing, Managing Director of Sustainability at American Electric Power, describes how sustainability has transformed how the Ohio-based utility does business.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Why Accenture Committed $200M to Equip the World With Digital Skills

Jul 26, 2018 10:00 AM ET

Benjamin Mays, mentor to Martin Luther King, once said: “He who starts behind in the great race of life, must forever remain behind, or run faster than the man in front.” Mays’ comments were made in the context of the 1960s civil rights movement in America, but could just as easily apply to inequalities today—and with regard to our digital future.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Family Separation Policy Spurs Big Boost in Giving to Immigrants’ Rights Organizations on Benevity Platform

Jul 26, 2018 9:30 AM ET

Benevity saw a big boost in giving to immigrants’ rights organizations following the news about family separations at the U.S. border. Donations to RAICES skyrocketed, as the organization moved from place #13,433 in May to the #2 recipient of funds disbursedon the Benevity platform in June.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

CEOs Speak up on Zero Tolerance

Jul 26, 2018 9:25 AM ET

The past two years have witnessed a bold shift in leadership from the C-Suite. Now more than ever, CEOs and senior Executives at the world’s leading companies are speaking out on social policy issues that conflict with the core values of their business. This phenomenon, dubbed “CEO Activism,” is on the rise – and right on queue. CEO Activism as a core component of corporate societal engagement strategy has shifted from important to imperative. According to the 2018 Edelman Trust Barometer, public trust in business and government to “do the right thing” fell sharply from 2017 to 2018.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

The Arbor Day Foundation Announces Support for The Edward C. Fogg, III and Lisbeth A. Fogg Charitable Trust

Jul 26, 2018 9:00 AM ET

The Arbor Day Foundation announced today a gift from the Edward C. Fogg, III and Lisbeth A. Fogg Charitable Trust. The Trust’s gift was given in December 2017 and has enabled the planting of 50,000 trees on 79 acres of forests in Wayne and Glynn Counties as well as the Upper Altamaha Watershed in southeast Georgia.

Research, Reports & Publications

Yum! Brands Launches 2017 Global Citizenship & Sustainability Report Outlining Its Recipe for Good

Jul 26, 2018 9:00 AM ET

Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE: YUM) today released its 2017 Global Citizenship & Sustainability Report, citizenship.yum.com, highlighting the company’s progress in 2016 and 2017 and outlining efforts by KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell to make a meaningful impact in three areas of strategic focus: Food, Planet and People.

Energy

Stepping up the Global Energy Transformation: Why Mars Australia Commits to 100% Renewable Electricity

Jul 26, 2018 9:00 AM ET

Major brands like ours have an opportunity to lead in accelerating the transition to a low-carbon future. A new report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) shows that businesses are stepping up their use, procurement and investment in renewable electricity. While this is good news, only 17% of us have a specific target for renewable electricity and a mere 134 have committed to 100% renewable electricity use.

Events, Media & Communications

Exploring the ‘How’ Behind the ‘Brands Taking Stands’ Movement, Purpose-Driven Companies Gather for 3BL Forum, Oct. 23-25 in Washington

Jul 26, 2018 8:45 AM ET

As investors, employees, customers and other key stakeholders demand that companies weigh in on vexing social and environmental issues, 3BL Forum has built its agenda around the “Brands Taking Stands” movement, Oct. 23-25, at MGM National Harbor in Washington, D.C.

Sustainable Development Goals

Avery Dennison Makes CSR Investment in Southeast Asia

Jul 25, 2018 6:05 PM ET

With many of Avery Dennison’s solutions made from paper, maintaining a sustainable paper supply is vital to our business success and achieving our long-term sustainability goals. In fact, we’re aiming to use 100% FSC-Certified paper for all of our products by the year 2025. A passionate proponent of environmentally, socially, and economically sound management of our forests, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a key partner in our journey to leaving the planet in better condition than we found it. And they are in very good company.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Nominate Your Company for the 2019 WEC Gold Medal Award for Sustainability (Due August 15)

Jul 25, 2018 5:00 PM ET

Nominations are now being accepted for the World Environment Center’s (WEC) 2019 Gold Medal for International Corporate Achievement in Sustainable Development. The Gold Medal Award is presented annually to a global company that demonstrates deep, organization-wide commitment to sustainability in its business practice and beyond.

Diversity & Inclusion

Northern Trust Manila Partners Participate in Annual Pride March

Jul 25, 2018 3:55 PM ET

Our Manila partners marched alongside Philippine Financial Industry Pride member companies in the annual pride march, supporting the theme “Rise Up Together”.

Energy

National Grid Provides One-Stop Solar Shopping For Upstate New York Customers

Jul 25, 2018 3:35 PM ET

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Five Good Reads on Closing the Skills Gap in STEM

Jul 25, 2018 3:35 PM ET

This article is part of a series on “solvable problems” within the context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The Global Engagement Forum: Live takes place this October 10–11, 2018, bringing together leaders from across the private, public, and social sectors to co-create solutions and partnerships to address four urgent, yet solvable problems—closing the skills gap in STEM, reducing post-harvest food loss, ending energy poverty, and eliminating marine debris and ocean plastics.

Diversity & Inclusion

‘Breaking Down Barriers’ With Braille

Jul 25, 2018 3:30 PM ET

In his work with blind and visually impaired people in Utah, Everette Bacon has noticed something. As some young adults decide it is time to start their careers or attend college, they suddenly realize they are not prepared. In fact, they might be functionally illiterate.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Aflac's SmartGreen® Initiative Helps Reduce the Company's Environmental Impact

Jul 25, 2018 3:05 PM ET

Although our corporate environmental impact is minimal due to the nature of our business, we’re always looking for innovative ways to reduce that impact. The Aflac Board of Directors Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability Committee leads our program, which is called Aflac SmartGreen®.

Sustainable Development Goals

Brands Taking Stands | Luxury Brands Turn to the Triple Bottom Line

Jul 25, 2018 2:50 PM ET

Luxury brands and brands taking stands are topics not usually included in the same conversation. But in another sign of a world turned upside down, top tier fashion labels are now talking CSR and sustainability. From materials to packaging, from supply chain to environmental footprint, luxury consumer goods companies are updating their strategies to ensure long-term viability.

Media & Communications

L’Oréal and Avery Dennison Collaborate to Eliminate Label Waste

Jul 25, 2018 2:15 PM ET

Global materials science and manufacturing company, Avery Dennison Corporation (NYSE: AVY), leading beauty company both globally and in Australia, L’Oréal Australia, and Australia’s leading waste management company, Wasteflex, are collaborating on a recycling programme to deliver zero waste to landfills.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Minimizing Distracted Driving Through Partnerships

Jul 25, 2018 2:00 PM ET

According to the World Health Organization, about 1.25 million people are killed and millions more are injured on the world’s roadways each year. Research has shown that distracted driving is a preventable contributor to this toll. As we work toward our vision of a future with zero crashes, we are always looking for more ways General Motors can collaborate with others committed to creating safe roads for drivers.

Education

Getting Syrian Students Back to School through Tech-Enabled Learning

Jul 25, 2018 1:50 PM ET

Through an innovative partnership with the Clooney Foundation for Justice and UNICEF, HP is helping support the education of nearly 4,000 Syrian refugees and thousands of Lebanese students at nine schools in Lebanon.