ESG News from Leading Brands

Innovation & Technology

Using Data and Technology for Good to Save Lives

May 3, 2016 12:00 PM ET

In 2015, 171 child deaths in Texas were caused by child abuse. That is 3.3 children a week. In total there were 274,448 alleged child abuse victims last year. To put it in context, that is the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium at full capacity, three times over, and then some. Government resources such as CPS (Child Protective Services) are overloaded and many children tragically fall through the cracks. It’s a fact that diverting funds to the areas that need it the most is imperative in fighting child abuse.

Responsible Production & Consumption

The Carbon in our Food

May 3, 2016 10:45 AM ET

“If food waste were a country by itself, it would be the third largest emitter of greenhouse gases behind China and the United States.”

Social Impact & Volunteering

Taco Bell: Feeding People’s Life with Más

May 3, 2016 10:40 AM ET

Taco Bell's purpose is to feed people’s life with más: engaging with and supporting the communities they serve, investing in the potential of their team members and today’s youth through education, and evolving their menu and restaurant design to meet the needs of their customers.

Events, Media & Communications

Time is Running Out to Register for 2016 Sustainability Forum!

May 3, 2016 10:30 AM ET

On May 16 and 17, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center, in partnership with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and PYXERA Global, will host the sixth annual Sustainability Forum, Better Business, Better World: Mainstreaming the Circular Economy, in Washington, DC.

Environment

Dr Pepper Snapple Group and Keep America Beautiful Now Accepting Applications for 2016 Park Recycling Bin Grant Program

May 3, 2016 10:30 AM ET

With more beverages being consumed away from home and on-the-go, it’s increasingly important to make recycling more convenient by providing more away-from-home opportunities to recycle. The Dr Pepper Snapple Group/Keep America Beautiful Park Recycling Bin Grant Program – which opened its 2016 application process today – does just that.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

New RobecoSAM Study Reveals GRI Standards Fit for Investment-Grade Disclosures

May 3, 2016 10:30 AM ET

Amsterdam and Zurich, May 3, 2016 /3BL Media/- International sustainability standard setter GRI and RobecoSAM, the investment specialist focused exclusively on Sustainability Investing (SI), have today released the research publication Defining What Matters: Do companies and investors agree on what is material? The publication, funded by the Alcoa Foundation, examines whether the information companies disclose in their sustainability reports correlates with what investors want to know. The study found general alignment between disclosed topics and investor interests. The research also indicates GRI’s approach to materiality is appropriate as a basis for disclosures to investors, as it gives a broad perspective on risk.

Sustainable Development Goals

P&G Children’s Safe Drinking Water Program Celebrates 10 Billion Liter Milestone

May 3, 2016 10:30 AM ET

Environment

Antea Group Case Study: Environmental Responsibility Fulfillment for California Packing Company

May 3, 2016 10:20 AM ET

A California packing company engaged Antea Group to ensure fulfillment of its facility’s environmental responsibilities. The client had existing coverage under the California Industrial General Permit 2014-0057-DWQ (IGP) and sought guidance from technical experts and trusted advisors on how to effectively abide by all applicable storm water regulations and permit requirements.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Leonardo Academy Supports Foreman Brother’s, Inc. Clean Diesel Projects

May 3, 2016 10:05 AM ET

Foreman Brothers, Inc. recently completed the diesel emissions reduction improvements of eight trucks supported by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 2015-2016 Region 5 Grant. The grant was facilitated by Leonardo Academy, The Sustainability Experts®, a Wisconsin nonprofit organization and staunch supporter of Clean Diesel improvement projects.

Research, Reports & Publications

Video: Reliable Power for Development

May 3, 2016 10:00 AM ET

There is no more critical component to improving the economic standard of living in developing economies than steady, reliable power. In Tanzania, only 11 percent of the population has access to reliable electricity. However, Caterpillar and the Wentworth Group in Tanzania have built a gas-to-power project that brings 24/7 power to the people of Mnazi Bay and the city of Mtwara.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

New RobecoSAM Study Reveals GRI Standards Fit for Investment-Grade Disclosures

May 3, 2016 9:30 AM ET

Amsterdam and Zurich, May 3, 2016 /3BL Media/ - International sustainability standard setter GRI and RobecoSAM, the investment specialist focused exclusively on Sustainability Investing (SI), have today released the research publication Defining What Matters: Do companies and investors agree on what is material? The publication, funded by the Alcoa Foundation, examines whether the information companies disclose in their sustainability reports correlates with what investors want to know. The study found general alignment between disclosed topics and investor interests. The research also indicates GRI’s approach to materiality is appropriate as a basis for disclosures to investors, as it gives a broad perspective on risk.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

UBS Invests in Sustainability for Financial and Societal Return

May 3, 2016 9:15 AM ET

Banking came into its own in the rst industrial revolution. Banks were the intermediaries between the people with money and the ideas and opportunities of the community they served.

Innovation & Technology

Final Days to Apply for Techstars Atlanta

May 3, 2016 9:15 AM ET

Techstars Atlanta, a partnership between Cox Enterprises and Techstars, is approaching its May 8th deadline for applications. Located at Ponce City Market, Techstars Atlanta will annually select a group of 10 startups to participate in a three-month program that provides expertise, funding and office space to help them accelerate their businesses.

Education

2011 Amgen Scholar Vanessa Gray Delves Into DNA, Including Her Own

May 3, 2016 9:05 AM ET

In 2009, as a sophomore at Arizona State University in Tempe, Vanessa Gray started what would become a fruitful beginning as a scientist. She began conducting research with Sudhir Kumar, whose group uses genomics data from species ranging from primates to fish to make inferences about human disease.

Environment

How Hortau Helps Farmers Produce More Crops With Less Water

May 3, 2016 9:00 AM ET

At a time when water conservation is high profile because of California’s nearly five-year drought, a company that provides more efficient irrigation systems for farmers is important.

Research, Reports & Publications

The De Beers Group of Companies Publishes 10th Annual Report to Society

May 3, 2016 9:00 AM ET

The De Beers Group of Companies today published its 10th annual Report to Society.

Innovation & Technology

Cerro Verde, a Freeport-McMoRan Company, Supports Entrepreneurial Development

May 3, 2016 9:00 AM ET

The Cerro Verde Mining Company’s Emprende program supports small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the geographical regions surrounding the mining operations, which are located near Arequipa, Peru.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Tequila Cazadores® Biomass Boiler Cuts Distillery’s Carbon Footprint

May 3, 2016 8:55 AM ET

Research, Reports & Publications

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany Publishes Corporate Responsibility Update 2015

May 3, 2016 5:00 AM ET

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany has published its Corporate Responsibility Update, covering the year 2015. It is available online at http://reports.emdgroup.com/2015/cr-report.

Events, Media & Communications

Announcing #FairHer!

May 2, 2016 8:25 PM ET

At Fair Trade, we recognize the importance of empowering women. From fairer wages, to educational opportunities to funding for health services, Fair Trade supports and enables women farmers and workers to lift themselves out of poverty, provide for their families, gain leadership opportunities, and so much more.

But did you know that women play an equally important role in empowering us – the consumers – to make a change in the world? Women farmers, workers, business representatives and advocates all help get Fair Trade on store shelves, enabling us to vote with our dollars for a better world. These women make the world fairer, and you are a FairHer women when you make a Fair Trade purchase. That's why we're celebrating all of the women of Fair Trade in our new FairHer campaign!

Events, Media & Communications

Join the #FairHer Twitter Party!

May 2, 2016 7:40 PM ET

Join Patagonia, West Elm, DAVIDsTEA,prAna, Heifer International, UNICEF USA End Trafficking project, Dillanos, Love146 and FairTradeUSA on May 3rd from 5-6pm PT for a Twitter party about Fair Trade's global impact on women and easy ways to Fair Trade your Mother's Day! Just use the hashtag #FairHer to attend!

And what would a party be without prizes? Lucky attendees will be entered to win Fair Trade goodies to get them started on their sustainable shopping adventures. Just join the conversation using the hashtag #FairHer to be eligible to win! See you there!

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

4 Key Steps to Increasing Strategic Value of Your CSR Programs

May 2, 2016 7:40 PM ET

Corporations across the board are struggling to figure out how exactly to be more strategic in their giving. The following steps will help you as your corporation looks to get more strategic in your philanthropic giving.

Responsible Production & Consumption

The 2016 Fair Trade Mother's Day Gift Guide

May 2, 2016 7:20 PM ET

Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and you know what that means – time to find that perfect gift for Mom, a gift that shows her just how special she is. And while that “I <3 Mom” mug that you got her last year was cute, why not make this year’s gift Fair Trade Certified™ and spread the love to moms and women across the globe?

Read on for some great Fair Trade gift ideas!

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Global Demand For B.C. Farm-Raised Salmon at All Time High

May 2, 2016 6:05 PM ET

British Columbia set a new record for exports of farm-raised salmon in 2015, and are on track to set new records in 2016 as well. The most encouraging numbers in the final data released by Statistics Canada are those that show an emerging appetite for farm-raised salmon in China, with exports from British Columbia more than doubling over the previous high in 2012.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Rays Players Were Out in the Tampa Community All Weekend

May 2, 2016 5:40 PM ET

Players from the Rays provided early season excitement in their community this past weekend, first hosting a group from Big Brothers Big Sisters at the ballpark in the Players Trust’s Buses for Baseball program then joining kids from the Miracle League of the Gulf Beaches the following day.