ESG News from Leading Brands

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Flyboys, Franchisees, and Making Mom Proud

Jul 3, 2017 3:15 PM ET

A “flyboy” is just another, more casual name for a pilot. A “tail gunner” is a crewman on a military aircraft who is stationed at the rear of the aircraft and defends against enemy fire. A “radioman” operates – you guessed it – the radio. You don’t hear these terms very often, unless you’re the owner of the Wendy’s in West Hills, CA. In that case, you hear them every Monday between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. when they turn your restaurant into the epicenter of a warm and welcoming reunion of more than 100 aviation veterans.

Events, Media & Communications

At European Parliament in Brussels, Mike Bloomberg: U.S. Will Meet Our Paris Commitment

Jul 3, 2017 2:55 PM ET

“Thank you, Linda McAvan for that introduction. I want to thank you and David McAllister and the Conference of Committee Chairs for giving me the opportunity to address you here in the European Parliament on climate change. And let me begin by thanking you for your leadership on climate change at a time when we all need to pull together for our common good.

Environment

Unreasonable Impact | Don’t Throw Away Your Utensils…Eat Them!

Jul 3, 2017 10:35 AM ET

Bakey’s has developed edible utensils to provide an effective alternative to petroleum-based disposable plastic cutlery. The edible utensils contain no chemicals, preservatives, fat, emulsifiers, artificial coloring, or milk products. Now, instead of throwing away cutlery after a single use, people can eat it, or it will biodegrade in fewer than three days. Bakey’s is targeting a customer base of one billion, helping to avoid 5 million tons of plastic going to landfill.

Social Impact & Volunteering

South African Business Takes Safety Commitments Into Communities

Jul 3, 2017 9:20 AM ET

Sustainable Development Goals

Tetra Tech Celebrates Flagship Program Achievements in the Philippines

Jul 3, 2017 9:00 AM ET

In June 2017 Tetra Tech celebrated five years of achievements by the Ecosystems Improved for Sustainable Fisheries (ECOFISH) project, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Tetra Tech and the ECOFISH team used innovative interventions and technological solutions to conserve marine biodiversity, enhance ecosystem productivity, and restore profitability of fisheries in key marine biodiverse areas. The project is the latest contribution to Tetra Tech’s decades-long legacy of enhancing ecosystem productivity, conserving marine biodiversity, and improving fisheries and livelihoods throughout the Asia Pacific region.

Research, Reports & Publications

SAB Miller, Arcelor Mittal and BT Share Sustainability Reporting Strategies

Jul 3, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Sustainability reporting has evolved drastically over the past few years; with the increasing legislation, opportunities from the SDGs as well as plethora of options that a connected digital world presents.

Research, Reports & Publications

Edmond de Rothschild Group Publishes Its 2016 Sustainability Report

Jul 3, 2017 5:00 AM ET

The Edmond de Rothschild Group’s third Sustainability report, for reporting year 2016, gives a complete overview of its performance and progress versus its 2020 Sustainability objectives, across its Private Banking, Asset Management and Private Equity activities.

Energy

Smouse Opportunity School

Jul 2, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Smouse was able to install the LG VRF system over a 10-week summer vacation, and the landmark school building now features an updated HVAC system that provides quiet comfort for its students and preserves the notable historic architecture—all while reducing utility costs for the school.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Vetiver Together: Improving the Lives of Vetiver Farming Communities in Haiti

Jul 1, 2017 6:45 PM ET

IFF and Unilever, in collaboration with Oxfam Great Britain, Heifer International and the Ford Foundation, launched Vetiver Together on July 25th, 2016, a two-year pilot program aimed to improve the livelihoods of the vetiver farming communities, strengthen IFF’s vetiver supply chain and increase environmental conservation.

Diversity & Inclusion

MAC Evolves Its LGBTQ Message

Jun 30, 2017 7:00 PM ET

Environment

EPA Science Advisory Board Member Offers Take on Pulling out of Paris Climate Accord

Jun 30, 2017 6:00 PM ET

Pulling out of the agreement was one of Trump's campaign promises, but according to Arvai, public opinion strongly supports fighting climate change. Even among Trump voters, he said, there is a "near majority" that understand the need to reduce carbon emissions.

Education

When Politicians Cherry-Pick Data and Disregard Facts, What Should We Academics Do? – (The Conversation)

Jun 30, 2017 6:00 PM ET

When politicians distort science, academics and scientists tend to watch in shock from the sidelines rather than speak out. But in an age of “fake news” and “alternative facts,” we need to step into the breach and inject scientific literacy into the political discourse.

Research, Reports & Publications

Investing in What Matters: Alliance Data's 2016 Corporate Responsibility Highlights

Jun 30, 2017 5:00 PM ET

Social Impact & Volunteering

Deloitte Survey: Employees Need to Know Volunteerism Matters

Jun 30, 2017 4:30 PM ET

An increasing number of businesses are discovering that volunteerism is an important part of their corporate social responsibility program. It’s not only good for the local community and improves the corporate brand, but it’s a powerful tool for increasing engagement in the workplace.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Adam Rosales of the Oakland A's Takes to Sandlots Across U.S. to Spread Joy of Baseball and Education

Jun 30, 2017 4:00 PM ET

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Supply Chain Transparency: Making the Consumer Connection for Forest Responsibility

Jun 30, 2017 4:00 PM ET

Humans have always had an intimate, complicated relationship with forests.

We clear away trees to make room for development and agriculture, harvest them for paper, pulp, and palm oil and seek refuge in their remaining intact solitude. Human wellbeing depends on trees.

Research, Reports & Publications

Kimberly-Clark Reports Year One Results of Sustainability 2022 Program

Jun 30, 2017 3:35 PM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Celebrate America's Independence…and Our Beautiful Places

Jun 30, 2017 3:00 PM ET

Everybody loves celebrating America’s birthday on the Fourth of July! We believe everyone has a right to live (and celebrate!) in a clean, green and beautiful community, and shares a responsibility to contribute to that vision.

Whether you’re having a picnic in a park, heading to the beach for fireworks, or hanging out in your own backyard, it’s a great time to remember the importance of living by the”Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.” mantra to preserve and protect America’s beautiful places.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

GRI Supports Recommendations by the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures

Jun 30, 2017 2:30 PM ET

GRI strongly supports the work of the Financial Stability Board’s Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). The TCFD recommendations take an important step towards integrating sustainability information into financial disclosures. Investors and other stakeholders will be better informed by the TCFD disclosures on climate-related financial risks and opportunities. Another important breakthrough is the recommendation for scenario planning. Only by forecasting impacts can companies truly prepare and thrive as the climate changes.

Energy

BNEF Released its Latest New Energy Outlook (NEO)

Jun 30, 2017 2:00 PM ET

What sets NEO apart is that our assessment is focused on the parts of the system that are driving rapid change in markets, grid systems and business models. This includes the cost of wind and solar technology, battery storage, electricity demand and the uptake of EVs among others.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Voya Financial Announces Second-Quarter 2017 Grant Recipients

Jun 30, 2017 1:05 PM ET

Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA), today announced the nonprofit organizations that received grants in the second quarter of 2017 through Voya Foundation, the company's charitable giving arm. Voya Foundation invests in programming to help foster healthy, sustainable communities and supports local and national nonprofits with missions that advance children’s education and financial resilience.

Research, Reports & Publications

Connecting People to Opportunities

Jun 30, 2017 12:55 PM ET

"Since our start, AT&T has been about one thing: harnessing the power of our network to change lives and improve the world. And just as our network technology has gotten better over the years, so has our ability to address some of society’s toughest challenges....None of this would be possible without our employees, who are as dedicated to their communities as they are to their jobs." - Randall Stephenson, AT&T Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

With I Am Waters, One Woman Brings Hope and Hydration to the Homeless

Jun 30, 2017 12:05 PM ET

Seven years ago, Elena Davis was sitting at an intersection when a homeless woman approached her car. She immediately began to rummage around for spare change. But, when she rolled down the window to hand over the coins, Elena was surprised to be met with a different request.

Environment

Why It’s Time to Rebuild America’s Water Infrastructure

Jun 30, 2017 11:55 AM ET

If America’s water infrastructure was a carton of milk in your fridge, you would have thrown it away a long time ago. If it was a student, it would be getting barely passing grades. So what’s gone wrong? Impeller spoke with Joe Vesey, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Xylem, to learn about the problem and how it can be fixed.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

United Way of Metro Chicago Honors Frederick H. Waddell – Chairman and CEO, Northern Trust with a Lifetime Leadership Award

Jun 30, 2017 11:20 AM ET

Congratulations to our CEO Rick Waddell on receiving the United Way of Metro Chicago 2017 LifeTime Leadership Award! United Way of Metro Chicago recognized corporate and community champions who exemplify what is means to Live United.