ESG News from Leading Brands

Sustainable Development Goals

MetLife Aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals

Jul 11, 2018 11:25 AM ET

Responsible Production & Consumption

Ecolab's Smart Technology Helps Ford Drive Major Water Savings at Chicago Plant

Jul 11, 2018 11:15 AM ET

When it comes to water management, Ford Motor Company continually strives to go further. The company has reduced water use by more than 10 billion gallons since 2000 and is aiming for an additional 30 percent reduction per vehicle from 2015 to 2020. Its long-term ambition: zero freshwater use in manufacturing.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

PNC Scores 100% on 2018 Disability Equality Index (DEI)

Jul 11, 2018 11:15 AM ET

Results from the annual Disability Equality Index reveal 126 companies truly prioritizing the inclusion of people with disabilities and honored as the “Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion”.

Innovation & Technology

Advancing a One Water Future Through Collaboration

Jul 11, 2018 11:00 AM ET

Pentair has long supported a culture of collaboration within the business community and beyond with partners across the private, academic and nonprofit sectors. By coming together to identify and implement collaborative solutions, we have the opportunity to help solve some of the most pressing water challenges.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Consumers Energy Employee Receives American Gas Association Award for Saving Life of Accident Victim

Jul 11, 2018 10:50 AM ET

A Consumers Energy employee from Clio is the recipient of the 2018 American Gas Association Meritorious Service Award for his lifesaving efforts to assist a woman involved in a serious car accident.

Media & Communications

Introducing the Pull Factor Project

Jul 11, 2018 10:35 AM ET

For decades we’ve been pushing sustainability on consumers. Despite our best efforts, it’s still not widely embraced in mainstream culture. And yet, we also know the tremendous power of brands to inspire our aspirations, shape our behaviors and mobilize action at scale.

To meet this moment, Sustainable Brands, in collaboration with BBMG, is launching a peer-to-peer collaboration of human insights experts, marketing leaders and sustainability practitioners to better understand the dynamics of desire and human behavior change so we can increase brand relevance, grow market share and fuel the shift towards a culture of sustainable living. This is the first project of the #BrandsForGood collaboratory — an initiative to leverage brands’ voices to deliver “The Good Life.”

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Sands ECO360: Sustainable Food Sourcing

Jul 11, 2018 10:10 AM ET

The master chefs at Las Vegas Sands are transforming the Food and Beverage experience to reflect today's food mindset and palate with organic ingredients, creative preparations, and sustainable practices.

Innovation & Technology

Fast Forward Helps Technology Nonprofit Shift Into High Gear

Jul 11, 2018 10:05 AM ET

While working at a Bay Area nonprofit in the mid-2000s, Rey Faustino routinely took low-income students on tours of major technology companies. He wanted the students to consider tech fields after high school as a path out of the housing, employment, and health care uncertainty that plagued many of their families.

But by the end of each tour, Faustino had more on his mind than career counseling. He was thinking about the power of technology to connect people. More specifically, the power of technology to connect his students to the services they desperately needed.

With the backing of nonprofit accelerator Fast Forward and Comcast NBCUniversal, Faustino launched One Degree in 2012.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Goldcorp Recognized in 2018 Enablon Excellence Awards

Jul 11, 2018 10:00 AM ET

We are committed to creating sustainable value in all areas of our business, and for our stakeholders, who want assurance that we are managing as well as mitigating the risks associated with our operations.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Bechtel Volunteers with Engineers Without Borders Successfully Finish Drinking Water Project

Jul 11, 2018 9:45 AM ET

Bechtel is committed to continuous community involvement, charitable giving, and economic development in communities where we live and work. Bechtel Group Foundation partners with EWB to use engineering and construction skills to improve quality of life.

Research, Reports & Publications

HPE | Top 5 Things You Shouldn’t Miss From the Living Progress Report

Jul 11, 2018 9:35 AM ET

HPE released annual Living Progress Report, showcasing how HPE is driving sustainable innovation and embedding corporate citizenship within our culture. From garnering investor confidence with leading environmental and social governance (ESG) performance, to developing the world’s most efficient and secure products, I'm delighted to share a few of the highlights from the new report.

Energy

Tackling Fuel Poverty with Innovative Solutions

Jul 11, 2018 9:25 AM ET

Ashoka and the Schneider Electric Foundation, in partnership with Enel, recently awarded the 5 most innovative solutions to tackle fuel poverty and promote energy sustainability in Europe.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Bacardi and Lonely Whale Team Up to Ensure #TheFutureDoesntSuck

Jul 11, 2018 9:05 AM ET

Family-owned Bacardi Limited, the largest privately held spirits company in the world, and Lonely Whale, the award-winning non-profit dedicated to bringing forward courageous ideas that positively impact the health of our ocean, today announced they have joined forces to help rid the environment of single-use plastic, including the goal to eliminate one billion single-use plastic straws by 2020. In addition, Bacardi announced a commitment to review its global supply chain, with the aim of removing non-essential, non-recyclable single-use plastic waste.

Sustainable Development Goals

Expert Interview With David Keith, African Energy Sector Expert

Jul 11, 2018 9:00 AM ET

David Keith is a senior vice president with Tetra Tech International Development Services. He has worked on international development engagements in the energy sectors of more than 40 countries in Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean. He has been retained as a technical expert on national energy strategy, energy sector restructuring, public-private partnerships, electricity company management, electricity tariff design, power sector planning, project financing, and industrial energy management. David has worked on energy projects in South Africa, Malawi, Uganda, Ghana, Benin, Tanzania, and for the West Africa Power Pool. He has participated in more than a dozen Africa Energy Forums (AEFs). He earned three degrees from the Georgia Institute of Technology, including a Master of Science in

Energy

South Pole Offers New Green-e Energy Certified Renewable Energy Certificate Option

Jul 11, 2018 9:00 AM ET

Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) announced today that South Pole is now offering a renewable energy certificate (REC) program certified by Green-e® Energy, North America’s leading independent certification program for renewable energy. South Pole is one of the world's leading developers of emission reduction projects and offers renewable energy solutions in over 20 countries worldwide, including U.S. RECs for commercial and wholesale customers located in the North American market.

Health & Healthcare

SC Johnson Improves Access to Health Care Through Partnership with Rwanda Ministry of Health

Jul 11, 2018 4:00 AM ET

For millions of people in east central Africa, the risk of malaria infection is an everyday concern. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), up to 90 percent of Rwandans are at risk for malaria. To help address this risk and other public health issues, SC Johnson today announced a partnership with the Rwanda Ministry of Health and the Society for Family Health to co-develop a national strategy to increase access to health care through the construction of 10 new health posts across the country.

Health & Healthcare

SC Johnson Inoza uburyo bwo guhabwa ubuvuzi biciye mu Bafatanyabikorwa bakorana na Minisiteri y’Ubuzima mu Rwanda

Jul 11, 2018 4:00 AM ET

Kuri miliyoni z’abantu batuye muri Afurika y’Uburasirazuba bwo hagati, ibyago byo kwandura malariya ni ikintu gihangayikishije abantu buri munsi. Nk’uko Ishami ry’Umuryango w’Abibumbye Ryita ku Buzima (WHO) ribivuga, Abantu bagera kuri 90 ku ijana mu Rwanda bugarijwe n’indwara ya malariya. Kugira ngo dufashe kurinda abantu ibyago byo kwandura no gukemura ibindi bibazo birebana n’ubuzima bw’abaturage, SC Johnson yatangaje uyu munsi ubufatanye yagiranye na Minisiteri y’Ubuzima mu Rwanda n’Umuryango wita ku Buzima mu Rwanda mu gushyiraho ingamba ku rwego rw’igihugu zo kongera uburyo bwo guhabwa ubuvuzi bwibanze bubaka posite de Sante 10 nshya hirya no hino mu gihugu.

Diversity & Inclusion

CVS Health Recognized as a "Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion"

Jul 10, 2018 4:45 PM ET

In recognition of the company's commitment to prioritizing the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in the workplace, CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) today announced it has been named a "Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion" on the annual Disability Equality Index (DEI). The company received a perfect score of 100 for the second year in a row.

Sustainable Development Goals

Sappi Sees Growth Opportunities to Meet Prosperity Goals

Jul 10, 2018 4:00 PM ET

Return on net operating assets (RONOA) is a core measure of financial sustainability that measures how effectively we use our asset base to generate profit.

Research, Reports & Publications

PRI and Ceres Expand Sustainable Forest Initiative to Include Dialogue with Companies in the Soy Value Chain

Jul 10, 2018 3:45 PM ET

The PRI and sustainability nonprofit organization Ceres today announced that their collaborative effort to address tropical deforestation, the Investor Initiative for Sustainable Forests, has expanded to include engagement with companies exposed to deforestation risks linked to soy production in South America.

The Initiative will support and coordinate investor’s engagement with companies to eliminate deforestation from their soybean supply chains within South America.

Education

Arrow Electronics Launches 2018 Innovation in Technology Awards

Jul 10, 2018 2:50 PM ET

Arrow Electronics presented eighth grader Emma Ruccio from Connecticut with its Innovation in Electronics Award at the National Invention Convention and Entrepreneurship Expo (NICEE), a first-of-its kind forum where student inventors showcase their critical thinking skills and compete for prizes and recognition.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Pioneering the Use of Closed-Loop Recycled Gold in Our Products

Jul 10, 2018 1:55 PM ET

Dell expands its closed-loop recycling program from plastics to now include precious metals, keeping these valuable materials out of landfills and in the economy.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

The JetBlue Foundation and Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP) to Introduce Nearly 200 Students to Careers in Aviation

Jul 10, 2018 1:30 PM ET

JetBlue today announced a collaborative initiative between the JetBlue Foundation and the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP) to introduce aviation careers to students traditionally under-represented in the field. This summer both organizations are working together to increase awareness of aviation-related careers through hands-on learning for minority students and girls, ages 14-18. Students will learn directly from pilots and other aviation professionals at JetBlue’s airports, hangars and flight training centers in Boston; Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Long Beach/Los Angeles; New York; Orlando, Fla.; San Juan, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Energy

Duke Energy Provides Major Boost to Solar in North Carolina as New Programs Roll Out

Jul 10, 2018 1:20 PM ET

Two major Duke Energy solar energy programs are rolling out this month in North Carolina, making solar more abundant and affordable for customers.

Research, Reports & Publications

In Clean Energy Portfolios, Money Isn’t Everything – Research by Erb Institute Faculty Director, Joe Arvai

Jul 10, 2018 1:00 PM ET

People may be more willing to pay for clean energy and strategies that dramatically reduce emissions than previous studies have suggested, according to new research by Michigan State University Professor Douglas Bessette and University of Michigan Professor Joseph Árvai, “Engaging Attribute Tradeoffs in Clean Energy Portfolio Development,” published in Energy Policy. Árvai is the Erb Institute’s faculty director.