ESG News from Leading Brands

Environment

Scotiabank Instilling Environmental Awareness and a Commitment to Green Mobility

Sep 26, 2017 5:35 PM ET

Climate change and air pollution are large environmental challenges affecting all of us. At Scotiabank, we recognize that a better future is intrinsically linked to the health of our planet, and we are committed to reducing our impact on the environment.

Sustainable Development Goals

Sappi North America's Key Performance Indicators: Energy

Sep 26, 2017 5:30 PM ET

Our pulp and paper products are derived from renewable resources, made with high levels of renewable energy, and are designed to be reused or recycled. While it is difficult to identify a more sustainable industry than forest products, not all companies perform equally when it comes to operating safely and sustainably.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Republic Services Earns Top Industry Award for Excellence in Composting Systems

Sep 26, 2017 5:05 PM ET

Republic Services of Oregon is pleased to announce that the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) has named Republic’s Pacific Region Compost Facility (PRC) the winner of the Silver Excellence Award in the Composting Systems category. The award was presented at SWANA’s annual conference, WASTECON®, today in Baltimore.

Innovation & Technology

LG Expands Google Assistant Capabilities Across Extensive Smart Appliance Portfolio

Sep 26, 2017 5:00 PM ET

Driving home its commitment to future-ready open platforms for smart appliances, LG Electronics USA today announced that almost 87 Wi-Fi connected LG smart home appliances – including ENERGY STAR® certified washing machines and dryers, refrigerators, ovens, dishwashers, vacuums, air purifiers and more – are now compatible with the Google Assistant on Google Home and eligible Android and iOS smartphones.

Innovation & Technology

Leveraging Technology to Build a Successful Public-Private Partnership

Sep 26, 2017 4:35 PM ET

Leveraging technology and innovation is essential to build capacity, streamline programs, and further impact in successful public-private partnerships (PPPs). Technology can be leveraged in two ways: first through the use of technical tools and platforms, and second through the use of technical knowledge to ensure expertise and innovative practices are applied uniformly and consistently to community investment strategies.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Carnival Fascination Delivers Food, Water and Other Relief Supplies to Island of Barbuda

Sep 26, 2017 4:30 PM ET

During a port call in Antigua, Carnival Fascination dropped off pallets of water, food, and other items to be delivered to Barbuda as part of the island’s recovery and relief efforts. The delivery is part an ongoing initiative by Carnival to bring critical supplies to affected Caribbean islands following Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria.

Events, Media & Communications

Start Your Shared Value Journey - Shared Value 101 Webinar

Sep 26, 2017 4:30 PM ET

On Wednesday, October 18 the Shared Value Initiative is hosting "Starting Your Journey: Shared Value 101", a 75 minute webinar which will feature an overview of the shared value theory and a candid discussion of how some of the world’s leading companies are implementing it.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Fighting Hunger With Pro Bono, Part 1

Sep 26, 2017 4:05 PM ET

September is Hunger Action Month. A month to take action, spread the word, and dedicate ourselves to ending hunger. In honor of this month, and as part of our hunger initiative--Accelerate Change--Taproot is releasing inspiring stories of pro bono making an impact. Thanks to support from Alliance to End Hunger, we're showcasing how three organizations are taking advantage of expertise to do everything from effectively providing healthy meals and expanding access to fresh food, to increasing the promotion of regional food distribution, education, and advocacy to those who need it.

Events, Media & Communications

2018 International Corporate Citizenship Conference: Resilience, Responsibility, Results

Sep 26, 2017 4:00 PM ET

Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship is pleased to announce that registration is open for the 2018 International Corporate Citizenship Conference | April 8-10 in Los Angeles. This year's conference will focus on resilience, responsibility, results.

Diversity & Inclusion

Delivering on the Dream of Diversity

Sep 26, 2017 3:40 PM ET

At the annual conference of UnidosUS, through the lens of three shared diversity beliefs, David Abney examined UPS’s 35-year relationship with America’s largest Latino nonprofit advocacy organization.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Timberland and VF Sponsor Classrooms for Children in the Dominican Republic

Sep 26, 2017 3:30 PM ET

This fall, there will be three more classrooms at the Cienfuegos Daycare Center, thanks to outdoor lifestyle brand Timberland and its parent company, VF Corporation. The daycare center, located in one of the poorest areas in the Dominican Republic, cares for many of the children of employees at both the Recreation Footwear Company (RFC), Timberland’s owned footwear factory, and Sun Jade, a factory that makes footwear for Vans, another VF brand.

Events, Media & Communications

Nespresso Goes Big on Sustainability Credentials in Global Campaign: PR Week

Sep 26, 2017 3:25 PM ET

After years of being "shy" about how it sources its coffee, Nespresso is putting its partnership with farmers at the center of a new campaign, the brand's CMO tells Campaign.

Health & Healthcare

Sanofi US Reaches the 5-Year Milestone for Sanofi Patient Connection™ With Over 1 Million Patients Assisted

Sep 26, 2017 3:20 PM ET

Every day, many patients across the U.S. face access challenges to medications or treatments they have been prescribed because they do not have insurance, their insurance does not cover the prescribed product or treatment, or they struggle to navigate the complex insurance process. To address these and other obstacles, Sanofi supports many of these patients with their specific challenges.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

FCA Foundation Announces Nearly $900,000 in Educational Grants Supporting Student Achievement

Sep 26, 2017 2:50 PM ET

The FCA Foundation, the charitable arm of North American automaker FCA US LLC, today announced six grants, totaling nearly $900,000, to support academic and nonprofit organizations across the United States that help students – pre-K through post-secondary – build the skills and competencies that support student achievement. Many of these collaborations focus particularly on programs designed to expand science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills and opportunities among youth.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Working Mother Magazine Names Astellas among 100 Best Companies in the U.S. Across All Industries

Sep 26, 2017 2:30 PM ET

Astellas was named one of the 2017 Working Mother 100 Best Companies for its commitment to establishing a corporate culture supportive of working moms and their families. The 100 Best Companies will be featured in the October/November issue of Working Mother and on workingmother.com.

Research, Reports & Publications

Local Experts Demonstrate Authority in Mainland China CSR Consulting

Sep 26, 2017 2:10 PM ET

SynTao Co., Ltd. is a leading China-based consultancy promoting sustainability and responsibility in the Asia region. The organization focuses on consulting, education, and investment in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Founded in 2005, SynTao has established offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shenzhen, Chongqing, and Washington D.C.

Media & Communications

Sustainable Business Practices Can Impact the Bottom Line, Say This Quartet of Researchers -- Lessons Here for Busy Execs

Sep 26, 2017 2:00 PM ET

A quartet of experts writing in the Harvard Business Review has responded to the short-term, bottom-line pressures that we hear so much about throughout much of Corporate America.

To develop their case, the authors (three academics and a consultant) looked at Brazil's giant beef industry, a challenge for studying considering the size and complexity of the industry and its long-term impact on the planet.

Research, Reports & Publications

Erb Institute | Business for Sustainability Director, Joe Arvai - Big Data Will Not Save Us

Sep 26, 2017 1:30 PM ET

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Nashville Area Homeownership to Get a Boost With the Wells Fargo NeighborhoodLIFT Program

Sep 26, 2017 1:30 PM ET

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC), NeighborWorks® America and its network member Affordable Housing Resources today announced the NeighborhoodLIFT® program is coming to the Nashville area with a $4.2 million commitment by Wells Fargo to boost homeownership. This will be Wells Fargo’s 54th LIFT program event in the U.S.

Events, Media & Communications

VIDEO | Mohawk Makes the Finish Line at IRONMAN® 70.3® World Championship

Sep 26, 2017 1:25 PM ET

At this year’s IRONMAN® 70.3® World Championship in Chattanooga, Tenn., Mohawk Industries engaged in a special partnership with the world-class name in sports, health and fitness. Less than an hour away from Mohawk’s corporate headquarters, the race presented a unique opportunity to give back in the company’s own backyard.

Environment

Dumpster-Diving Your Way Into Zero Waste to Landfill

Sep 26, 2017 1:05 PM ET

Roughly 12 billion metric tons of plastic waste will be in landfills by 2050, according to the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Landfill waste is linked to the release of methane and other potent greenhouse gas emissions, pollution of groundwater, contamination of waterways and negative effects on local wildlife.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Qualcomm Foundation Pledges $250,000 to Long Term Recovery for those Impacted by Recent Earthquakes in Mexico

Sep 26, 2017 1:05 PM ET

Qualcomm Foundation today announced it is donating $250,000 to support long-term recovery efforts in Mexico after the two devastating earthquakes that recently struck the country’s central and south regions. Qualcomm Incorporated is also expanding the list of eligible organizations for its previously announced employee matching grant of $250,000 to include earthquake relief.

Education

Free Money: How Scholarships Can Offset the Climbing Cost of College Tuition

Sep 26, 2017 1:00 PM ET

With another school year underway, Robert C. Ballard, president and CEO of Scholarship America, shares tips to help high school seniors and their families find the college scholarships that are right for them.

Environment

A Smart Cities Summer: A Conversation with EDF Climate Corps Fellow Maham Masood Sadiq

Sep 26, 2017 12:45 PM ET

As our cities integrate technology into their infrastructure and become more intelligent, a clear pattern is starting to emerge. The benefits of connectivity are helping to improve people’s lives and protect the environment. From conserving water to solutions that alert us to rush-hour traffic delays, Smart Cities technology represents a vision of a healthier, safer future that is more attainable than ever.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Bloomberg Signs Amicus Brief Opposing Trump's Travel Ban

Sep 26, 2017 12:20 PM ET

While often rivals in business, Google, Facebook, and Amazon are among 161 tech companies collectively asking the Supreme Court to strike down the Trump administration’s second travel ban. The companies range from sharing economy businesses Uber, Lyft, and Airbnb, to the entertainment giant Netflix, to the internet provider Verizon, to music streamers Pandora and Spotify.