ESG News from Leading Brands

Green Infrastructure

India Indoors: Earning Credit for Your Low-Emitting Materials

Oct 23, 2017 8:05 AM ET

The building sector in India is rapidly emerging as a global center for green building construction. The World Green Building Trends 2016 report suggests that environmental regulations, combined with the desire to create healthier neighborhoods and to “do the right thing,” are driving this growth. The greatest growth is anticipated in new high-rise residential construction, mixed-use development and commercial building.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

CSX Recognized for Diversity in the Boardroom

Oct 20, 2017 6:20 PM ET

CSX Corporation (Nasdaq: CSX) was honored this week at the Women Executive Leadership (WEL) Florida annual Corporate Salute Event for advancing gender diversity in corporate boardrooms. WEL is a member-driven, non-profit organization dedicated to increasing the number of women serving on corporate boards and in executive suites by advocating, educating and connecting accomplished leaders.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Bay Area Breakfast Panel With CSR Innovators [Video]

Oct 20, 2017 5:45 PM ET

On Tuesday, October 10, VolunteerMatch hosted a free breakfast and a session of networking, collaboration, and open discussion on the challenges corporate giving professionals face. We heard from corporate giving superstars at Airbnb, Pandora, A. May Consulting, and Pledge 1% in the above panel session. Check it out!

Diversity & Inclusion

Viacom Shares Global, Cross-Brand Message for National Coming Out Day

Oct 20, 2017 4:30 PM ET

What started with a march in 1987 has continued to grow in momentum as individuals ban together to celebrate coming out as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) – or as an ally. National Coming Out Day (Oct. 11), created by the Human Rights Campaign, works to promote a safe world for LGBTQ individuals to live truthfully and openly.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Subaru Share the Love® Event Returns for Its Tenth Anniversary in 2017

Oct 20, 2017 3:00 PM ET

Subaru of America, Inc. has announced the return of its annual Share the Love Event in 2017. This year marks the automaker’s 50th Anniversary in the U.S. and, for the second year in a row, there will be no cap on the total donation from Subaru of America to its Share the Love charitable partners. At the culmination of this year, Subaru hopes to exceed a grand total of $115 million donated since the creation of Share the Love to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the event.

Environment

How 73 Organizations Are Protecting the Carolinas’ Waterways

Oct 20, 2017 3:00 PM ET

Duke Energy is proud to support the countless water stewards in our communities who are implementing innovative projects that protect our natural resources. In 2014, we established the Water Resources Fund, a $10 million, multiyear commitment to leave a lasting impact on our region’s waterways by expanding nonprofit partnerships and enhancing the environments where families live, play and work.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

PayPal CEO Dan Schulman Talks Live with Kiva CEO Premal Shah

Oct 20, 2017 2:50 PM ET

At PayPal, we believe every person has the right to participate in today’s global economy. Kiva is an international nonprofit that allows people to lend money to low-income entrepreneurs and students in over 80 countries and is an important partner in this mission. A few weeks ago, we launched our Kiva campaign: “Make A Small Loan, Make a Big Impact,” to our employees and customers around the globe to encourage them to make loans to entrepreneurs.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Shire Employees Volunteer Over 29,000 Hours During 2017 Global Day of Service

Oct 20, 2017 2:20 PM ET

We sincerely thank all employees for their support of Shire’s 2017 Global Day of Service. With your involvement we were able to surpass all of our previous years’ participation rates.

Research, Reports & Publications

A Seemingly Symbolic Activist Action Actually Shifted the Climate Change Debate

Oct 20, 2017 1:20 PM ET

On the face of it, Bill McKibben’s effort through 350.org to have universities divest fossil fuel assets had limited success. Only a handful of institutions pledged to divest and it didn’t affect the stocks of fossil fuel companies. But a new study by Michigan Ross Professor Andy Hoffman and Todd Schifeling of Temple University’s Fox School of Business (and former post-doc with the Erb and Graham Institutes) shows McKibben’s activism might have been successful in another way. Their analysis of media coverage of climate change during the 350.org effort shows that it influenced the public debate.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

During Hurricane Harvey, He Helped Shelter Residents Survive the Night Until Help Arrived

Oct 20, 2017 1:15 PM ET

Zachary Dearing was living with his father on a houseboat in Rockport, Texas, when Hurricane Harvey hit. After his father evacuated to Houston, Zachary sought cover at the Live Oaks Learning Center. Upon his arrival at the city-designated shelter, he found that there was no one in charge to help evacuees or even to distribute supplies. With a team of volunteers, he helped more than 200 shelter occupants make it through the night, and worked with local law enforcement agencies to organize evacuation to Austin.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Ingersoll Rand Disaster Relief Update

Oct 20, 2017 12:05 PM ET

The Ingersoll Rand crisis response team has now made contact with all Ingersoll Rand employees and all of its contractors in Puerto Rico. While the devastation that Hurricane Maria left in her path has impacted the entire island of Puerto Rico, the resolve and positivity portrayed by the people is amazing.

Health & Healthcare

Helping Children Lead Healthier Lives is More Important Than Ever

Oct 20, 2017 12:05 PM ET

Today, more than 2 billion people in the world are overweight or obese and 800 million are malnourished. Malnutrition, in every form, presents significant threats to human health.

Children are particularly affected by malnutrition. In 2016, over 41 million under the age of 5 and over 340 million children and adolescents aged 5-19 were overweight or obese. During the last 3 decades the number of overweight children has doubled among 2 to 5 year old children.

This is a crisis in the making, requiring urgent action by stakeholders from all sectors.

Environment

Increased Recycling Capabilities

Oct 20, 2017 12:00 PM ET

The recycling needs of the communities we serve are constantly evolving — and we have to evolve with them. Republic is making consistent, strategic investments in our sorting technologies and infrastructure to ensure that our facilities are capable of meeting the sustainability goals of the communities and businesses we serve.

Green Infrastructure

From Refill to Recharge: How Electric Vehicles are Changing City Infrastructure

Oct 20, 2017 11:00 AM ET

Talk of electric vehicle proliferation has been occurring for years across the U.S. and around the globe, but the future of the auto industry is no longer merely on the horizon. Given the recent announcements from major car manufacturers planning to reduce the number of gasoline-fueled models and increase the amount of electric vehicle options, it seems that the industry’s future has arrived.

Research, Reports & Publications

Infographic: Two Decades of Growth in Sustainability Reporting

Oct 20, 2017 10:55 AM ET

Over a 20-year journey, GRI has created an outsized impact on the global economy, environment and society. This infographic shows the growth of reporting and sustainability professionals around the world for the past two decades.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

A Taste of General Mills Podcast: Partners in Food Solutions

Oct 20, 2017 10:30 AM ET

Africa’s food companies and entrepreneurs are getting a boost from Partners in Food Solutions, an organization that is working across the continent to strengthen food security, improve nutrition and increase economic development.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Workplace, Meet WELL: Enhancing the Employee Experience Through Healthy Buildings

Oct 20, 2017 10:20 AM ET

Human resource professionals see firsthand the benefits of promoting health and wellness in the workplace. As people, we spend about 90 percent of our time indoors, and a lot of that time is spent at work. HR departments are always experimenting with new approaches to enhance employee health and wellness, and now, leading research is demonstrating how better buildings can help make people more productive, reduce absenteeism and create more enjoyable, healthful work environments.

Education

A Summer of Research, Fun, and Friendship

Oct 20, 2017 10:00 AM ET

This past summer, I participated in the Amgen Scholars Europe program, which offered students an opportunity to work with a European research lab of their choice and to then share their findings with fellow attendees at a symposium held in University of Cambridge. It was a delightful experience that brought together more than 100 students across 5 universities: ETH Zürich, Karolinska Institute, Institut Pasteur, LMU Munich, and the University of Cambridge.

Environment

PepsiCo Recycling Increases Sustainability Funding to Colleges and Universities

Oct 20, 2017 10:00 AM ET

PepsiCo Recycling is expanding its second year of the Zero Impact Fund, which offers eligible* colleges and universities an opportunity to bring campus eco-innovations to life. Through the Zero Impact Fund, schools can submit ideas to accomplish their environmental goals, with winning applications receiving up to $10,000 each from PepsiCo Recycling. In its first year, the Zero Impact Fund received applications from more than 40 different campuses and awarded grants to eight schools.

Diversity & Inclusion

Dell VIDEO | The Power of One Mentor

Oct 20, 2017 9:45 AM ET

Education

De Beers and BIUST Sign Deal on Skills

Oct 20, 2017 9:30 AM ET

They have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at meeting the skills demands of a changing world.

Health & Healthcare

A Day in Thailand

Oct 20, 2017 9:30 AM ET

At PANDORA’s modern crafting facilities in Thailand, 13,200 people are bringing their skills, hearts and minds to work every day. This is why we are committed to ensuring a positive and inspiring workplace through a holistic approach - emphasizing not only professional but also personal opportunities.

Sustainable Development Goals

Understanding Urban Consumption Will Be Critical in Transforming Food Systems

Oct 20, 2017 9:15 AM ET

Social Impact & Volunteering

Arrow’s Dutch Employees Foster Volunteer Tradition

Oct 20, 2017 9:05 AM ET

For the second year in a row, employees from Arrow Electronics’ Venlo office volunteered with the Maria Auxiliatrix Run (M.A.-Run), a weekend of festivities supporting individuals with disabilities.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

VIDEO | FedEx Delivers Relief Supplies to Puerto Rico

Oct 20, 2017 9:00 AM ET

FedEx has committed an additional $1 million in cash and transportation support to deliver critical medical aid and supplies to help communities recover after the devastating hurricane season, as well as the earthquake in Mexico.