ESG News from Leading Brands

Research, Reports & Publications

Tetra Pak Launches 2015 Sustainability Update

Nov 16, 2015 7:00 AM ET

Events, Media & Communications

Finalists Announced for 'Hacking Mars' STEM Design Contest from Fox and Microsoft

Nov 16, 2015 7:00 AM ET

Microsoft has announced the three finalists for the Hacking Mars Design Challenge, a unique online science and technology competition developed exclusively around the new Fox film The Martian. Teams consisting of students, academics, and professionals designed projects to aid the film's lead character Mark Watney (Matt Damon) while he is stranded alone on Mars. Of these three finalists, one winning team will collect a $25,000 grand prize and travel to Microsoft to experience the company's groundbreaking HoloLens technology.

Events, Media & Communications

Global Brand Innovation Leaders Gather for Sustainable Brands '15 London

Nov 16, 2015 6:00 AM ET

Sustainable Brands® pan-European conference SB’15 London begins today at the Beaumont Estate in Windsor. Nearly 400 business executives across diverse industry sectors and from 30+ countries are convening today through November 18th to collaborate and demonstrate how brands are transforming sustainability-led initiatives into profitable business outcomes.

Environment

Caterpillar, TNC, JPMorgan Chase Convene to Discuss Natural Infrastructure Restoration

Nov 13, 2015 4:10 PM ET

Construction machinery and equipment giant Caterpillar Inc. recently hosted the first major national summit on infrastructure restoration, with the clarion call that investing in nature is smart business.

Events, Media & Communications

Observations from BSR 2015

Nov 13, 2015 4:00 PM ET

Environment

GM Moves Closer To Biodiversity Goal

Nov 13, 2015 3:25 PM ET

GM is now halfway toward its goal of securing wildlife habitat certifications or equivalent at each of its manufacturing sites by 2020. The company leads all automakers in Wildlife Habitat Council certifications.

Events, Media & Communications

Leaders Gather for NetSuite.org’s “Social Impact, Accelerated” Conference

Nov 13, 2015 3:15 PM ET

Last month, more than 50 leaders from charities and social enterprises in the Philippines attended “Social Impact Accelerated” NetSuite.org’s nonprofit technology conference at ImpactHUB Manila.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Mendon: Parks Dept. Receives Donation for Defibrillator

Nov 13, 2015 2:35 PM ET

Environment

Top 5 Items People Forget to Recycle in the Bathroom

Nov 13, 2015 1:00 PM ET

America Recycles Day – on Nov. 15 – is a great time to celebrate recycling and learn new ways to recycle in your home.

Events, Media & Communications

MEDIA ADVISORY: International Living Future Institute at Greenbuild 2015

Nov 13, 2015 1:00 PM ET

Join the International Living Future Institute at Greenbuild by attending Closing the Loop: Net Positive Water Workshop, the LP50 Summit and meet with ILFI spokespeople on site.

Education

Your Voice Matters: 2 Simple Ways to Become Involved in the Election Now

Nov 13, 2015 12:00 PM ET

The 2016 presidential election is slowly getting closer, and as Alliance Data's Senior Manager of Government Kevan Fenderson shared on the company's blog, On The Contrary this week, it's a big deal that matters. It potentially affects your cost of education and when you will retire. It impacts your pocketbook and our economy. The President also sets an important tone on issues from national security to data security, and so many more issues that impact your health security and even finally securing full equality. It matters. Read the full post to see what you can do to make an impact!

Environment

Old Mutual Investment Group Speaking on Climate Change Part One

Nov 13, 2015 11:00 AM ET

Environment

Republic Services Opens Las Vegas Recycling Center

Nov 13, 2015 11:00 AM ET

Republic Services, Inc., based in Phoenix, has opened a new residential recycling center in Las Vegas that is built to process 70 tons of recyclables per hour and is expected to double recycling capacity in the area, the company says. The facility will serve customers throughout Southern Nevada.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Astellas Recognized as a Top 20 Place to Work by Chicago Tribune

Nov 13, 2015 11:00 AM ET

Astellas today was recognized as one of the top 20 large companies to work for in the Chicago area by Chicago Tribune. The list, based solely on the results of an employee feedback survey conducted by Workplace Dynamics, LLC, measured several key aspects of workplace culture, including alignment, execution and connection. This marks Astellas’ second appearance on Chicago Tribune’s Top Workplaces list.

Environment

TD Forests Helps The Nature Conservancy Protect Critical Forest Habitat in Maine

Nov 13, 2015 10:30 AM ET

On Wednesday, November 4, 2015, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) acquired 12,700 acres of forest in Milford, Maine. With help from TD Bank through the TD Forests program, TNC was able to purchase the land next to the Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, creating an important corridor for local wildlife.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Princess Cruises President Jan Swartz Honored as 2015 Woman of Distinction by Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles

Nov 13, 2015 10:25 AM ET

Princess Cruises President Jan Swartz was honored as a 2015 Woman of Distinction at the Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles annual ToGetHerThere luncheon on Nov. 5, which celebrates female leadership and inspires Emerging Leaders – high school Girl Scouts who are making a difference in their communities.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Play BIG: From Isolation Towards Integration

Nov 13, 2015 10:10 AM ET

For six years, RSF Social Finance has been the primary organizational partner for Play BIG, an intimate annual convening I lead that espouses the idea of activating one’s “whole portfolio” to mission. Play BIG emerged from pioneering work that Carol Newell funded in British Columbia. It is designed for aspiring and experienced investor/ philanthropists who have many millions in discretionary wealth, recognize the dire planetary situation, and want to direct their money toward solutions.

Health & Healthcare

Leading Lights: Global Trailer

Nov 13, 2015 10:00 AM ET

Education

National Geographic Launches Free ‘Find Your Park, Love Your Park’ Activities, Interactive Map and Curriculum to Celebrate National Park Service Centennial with Support from Subaru of America

Nov 13, 2015 10:00 AM ET

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Astellas Named to 2015 Climate Disclosure Leadership Index

Nov 13, 2015 9:30 AM ET

Astellas Pharma Inc. (President and CEO: Yoshihiko Hatanaka, “Astellas”) today announced that it has been named for the first time to the CDP1 Japan 500 Climate Disclosure Leadership Index (CDLI) in recognition of its perfect score on the disclosure of information related to climate change.

Events, Media & Communications

Cities Changing Diabetes Summit 2015

Nov 13, 2015 9:15 AM ET

The Cities Changing Diabetes Summit will provide a unique occasion for global and local partners in the programme to connect across cities and unite against the challenge of #urbandiabetes.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Points of Light and Disney Honor 10 Families Who Volunteer Together in Celebration of Family Volunteer Day, Nov. 21, 2015

Nov 13, 2015 8:30 AM ET

Disney and Points of Light – the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service – announced 10 families who will receive the Daily Point of Light Award in honor of their exceptional volunteer work. Awards will be presented starting Monday, Nov. 16 through Friday, Nov. 27, to celebrate Family Volunteer Day – a day of service led by generationOn – the youth division of Points of Light. Disney, a proud supporter of the Daily Point of Light Award and Family Volunteer Day, has worked with Points of Light and generationOn for more than 20 years to help mobilize the nation into action through volunteerism and service.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Bacardi Recognized for Environmental Excellence by Wildlife Habitat Council

Nov 13, 2015 8:05 AM ET

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Climate Panel Explores Low-Carbon Future at BSR Conference 2015

Nov 13, 2015 8:00 AM ET

In a panel discussion at the BSR Conference 2015, We Mean Business CEO Nigel Topping and NIKE, Inc. Chief Sustainability Officer and Vice President, Innovation Accelerator, Hannah Jones joined BSR Managing Director for Partnership Development and Research Edward Cameron and GreenBiz Group Inc. Chairman and Executive Editor Joel Makower to explore the role of business in shaping a low-carbon future.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

IBEW Funding Supports Local Boston Veterans

Nov 13, 2015 8:00 AM ET

Through its participation in CBS EcoMedia’s WellnessAd program, electricians and telecommunications specialists labor union International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 103 is supporting local veterans through the nonprofit New England Center and Home for Veterans. The partnership will bring energy-efficient appliances to Single Residency Occupancy Units and impact 59 veterans for the next five years.