ESG News from Leading Brands

Events, Media & Communications

Announcing New Speakers for #USCCFcircular!

Apr 13, 2018 1:00 PM ET

Join business and sustainability leaders on May 9—10 in Washington, D.C. for the 2018 Sustainability and Circular Economy Summit, Translating Value to Ignite Action.

Environment

Saving the Planet, One Dining Hall at a Time

Apr 13, 2018 1:00 PM ET

In honor of Earth Day, Sodexo, a food services and facilities management company, recognizes college campuses demonstrating innovative, sustainable dining practices. From hydroponic greenhouses to reusable container systems, here’s three Sodexo-operated campus dining programs reducing their carbon footprints through sustainable kitchens.

Research, Reports & Publications

FCA transforms our sustainability commitments into tangible results

Apr 13, 2018 12:10 PM ET

In 2017, FCA continued to transform our sustainability commitments into concrete actions that aim to create long-term value responsibly. We recognize that our environmental and social activities affect not only our aspiration to grow the business but also our determination to positively affect our world.

Education

Sands Cares Adopts Local Las Vegas Elementary School

Apr 13, 2018 11:25 AM ET

On January 23, 2018, Sands Cares, the company’s corporate giving program, adopted its first school, Helen Herr Elementary School, in partnership with non-profits Spread The Word Nevada (STWN) and Green Our Planet in Las Vegas. The $50,000 donation will fund free books and literacy programs for more than 800 students through 2020.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

KFC Foundation Offers New Personal Finance Program, MyChange, to KFC U.S. Restaurant Employees

Apr 13, 2018 11:00 AM ET

The KFC Foundation, an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization funded by KFC franchisees, announced personal finance program, MyChange, as its newest charitable offering for employees at participating KFC U.S. restaurants. Offered in partnership with Sum180, MyChange fosters personalized financial wellness and teaches foundational personal finance skills to KFC’s restaurant employees who choose to enroll in the program.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Dr. Natasha Matic Appointed to AccountAbility AA1000 Standards Board

Apr 13, 2018 11:00 AM ET

AccountAbility is pleased to announce that Dr. Natasha M. Matic, Chief Strategy Officer, King Khalid Foundation (KKF), Saudi Arabia and USA, has been appointed to the AccountAbility AA1000 Standards Board. Dr. Matic currently serves as the Chief Strategy Officer at the KKF in Saudi Arabia working between Washington, DC and Riyadh on developing strategy, management structures, partnerships and investment opportunities for the foundation. During the past decade, Dr. Matic led strategic transformation of KKF into a leading Saudi foundation, which played a key role towards building the Saudi economy.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

News From the Capital Markets

Apr 13, 2018 10:00 AM ET

In this new series, GRI will share updates on the latest developments from capital markets in Europe and the world, and how it's interacting with them to promote and enable change. The World Federation of Exchanges has established sustainability as a priority for the coming year. In line with this, the Colombo Stock Exchange in Sri Lanka has launched its guidance, Communicating Sustainability: Six Recommendations for listed companies. Colombo Stock Exchange is also working together with GRI to support listed companies in their sustainability reporting efforts.

Diversity & Inclusion

On the Job: A Chat with HP’s Chief Diversity Officer, Lesley Slaton Brown

Apr 13, 2018 9:40 AM ET

When Oprah Winfrey wowed the world at the Golden Globes with her rousing call for greater opportunities for “little brown girls,” it signaled a turning point for HP’s Chief Diversity Office, Lesley Slaton Brown. “I watched it over and over and over,” she says. “I cried. I laughed. I rejoiced. I cried some more. I got inspired. I have goosebumps now, just talking about it. Literally, arms-to-legs goosebumps.”

Energy

New Energy Companies: “Green,” Sustainable, and Profitable

Apr 13, 2018 9:40 AM ET

Future growth hinges on the appropriate response to present conditions while strategically developing longer-term plans. For most industries, social, environmental, and political issues are having increasingly greater impact in reshaping the present and future business environment. In particular, the oil and gas (O&G) industry is challenged to reliably and economically deliver transportation fuels in the present day while working strategically to provide “cleaner” energy products in the future.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Barclays' Reverse Mentoring Scheme Turns Generational Hierarchy on Its Head

Apr 13, 2018 9:05 AM ET

Barclays’ Reverse Mentoring Scheme turns hierarchies on their heads, with junior colleagues coaching their senior partners. One pair – Lucy Eyers and Martin Hyde – explain how their relationship has led to shared insights and new plans.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Xylem Volunteers Guide Students Through EarthEcho Water Challenge

Apr 13, 2018 9:00 AM ET

In February, EarthEcho International, along with partner Love A Sea Turtle of Greenville, North Carolina, hosted a training for volunteers from Xylem’s Morrisville location. Nine Xylem employees worked with over 100 students, guiding them through the EarthEcho Water Challenge and helping them to learn about the local aquatic ecosystem. In addition, students were able to interact with the new STEAM Lab that Love A Sea Turtle and the City of Greenville opened at River Park North. This STEAM Lab includes the first permanent EarthEcho Water Challenge field testing station to engage members of the community in the program, and was officially unveiled on World Water Day this year.

Energy

Harnessing the Power of the Sun for a U.S. Army Facility

Apr 13, 2018 9:00 AM ET

ECN Magazine highlighted the 2 megawatt, 24-acre solar photovoltaic array that is being constructed at the Dugway Proving Ground (DPG) site in Dugway, Utah. This new system will allow DPG’s existing electrical grid to produce 4 million kilowatt-hours of energy per year. Tetra Tech and joint venture partner TriEco are serving as the prime contractor for the design and build of the array. DPG is executing this project to optimize efficiency and conserve natural resources through on-site renewable energy generation and to support their objective of meeting renewable energy goals. This is the first of many prospective renewable energy projects to support to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) renewable energy goals.

Events, Media & Communications

Crisis Communications Expert Marc Berliner Joins Panel at the International Crisis Management Conference

Apr 12, 2018 6:00 PM ET

Cone, a Porter Novelli public relations and marketing agency specializing in Purpose and CSR, will join the International Crisis Management Conference (ICMC), as a sponsor of the two-day event in Boston April 24-25. The conference will cover the characteristics of a crisis, a framework to manage the life cycle of a crisis and provide training for preparedness professionals.

Environment

El Mundo: US to Support and Advise Cacao Producers in El Salvador

Apr 12, 2018 5:30 PM ET

El Departamento de Estado de los Estados Unidos abrió la convocatoria para que microempresas o pequeñas cooperativas dedicadas al cultivo de cacao puedan inscribirse en el concurso El Poder de Crecer, el cual premiará a los ganadores con acceso a asesoría por un capital de hasta $43,000 para promover una solución de negocios.

Environment

El Mundo: EE.UU. apoyará con asesoría a productores de cacao en El Salvador

Apr 12, 2018 5:30 PM ET

El Departamento de Estado de los Estados Unidos abrió la convocatoria para que microempresas o pequeñas cooperativas dedicadas al cultivo de cacao puedan inscribirse en el concurso El Poder de Crecer, el cual premiará a los ganadores con acceso a asesoría por un capital de hasta $43,000 para promover una solución de negocios.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Whole Foods Market Commissions Official Fiesta Medals Available for $10 each at San Antonio Locations

Apr 12, 2018 2:05 PM ET

San Antonio's annual Fiesta celebration, which began in 1891 and kicks off this year on April 19, is known for its tradition of artful medals commissioned by various organizations and businesses. For the second year, Whole Foods Market stores in San Antonio will sell unique medals designed by store graphic artists to celebrate Fiesta with sales benefiting Whole Kids Foundation.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

April Newsletter From GRI: Focus on Engagement for Better Reporting

Apr 12, 2018 2:00 PM ET

GRI's April newsletter is all about engagement. You can find articles about how members of GRI's network engage internally for better reporting, and about new partnerships with which GRI promotes engagement on topics such as conflict minerals and the capital markets. You can also find opportunities to collaborate with GRI, most notably the review of GRI 306: Effluents and Waste, and our Standards in Practice series. Don't forget to check out the upcoming events.

Innovation & Technology

Accenture Develop AI Solution to Aid the Visually Impaired in Life and Work

Apr 12, 2018 1:35 PM ET

A new Artificial Intelligence powered solution called Drishti has been developed by Accenture in order to improve the lives and work of the visually impaired. Drishti – Sanskrit for vision – will enhance the way visually impaired people experience the work all while improving workplace productivity.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

The UPS Foundation Awards $16 Million to Increase Humanitarian Relief, Community Resilience, and Safety Efforts

Apr 12, 2018 12:40 PM ET

The UPS Foundation, which leads the global citizenship efforts of UPS (NYSE: UPS), today announced it is awarding 2018 grants and in-kind support totaling more than $16 million to non-profit, non-governmental organizations and United Nations agencies for humanitarian relief, community resilience and safety programs worldwide.

Events, Media & Communications

IFF Celebrates Positive Transformational Change in 2017 Sustainability Report

Apr 12, 2018 12:30 PM ET

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (NYSE: IFF) (Euronext Paris: IFF), a leading innovator of sensory experiences that move the world, announced in its newly published 2017 sustainability report that it has already surpassed its 2020 goals for water, greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), and hazardous waste, among other achievements. The report details how the Company is meeting or exceeding its strategic sustainability goals, as well as how it is living up to its vision “To lead positive transformational changes toward a regenerative, healthy and abundant world.”

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption Launches New Website

Apr 12, 2018 12:00 PM ET

The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption launched its new website and it’s complete with some exciting new tools.

Environment

Tackling the Talent Shortage: How EHS Can Be a Strategic Teammate

Apr 12, 2018 11:55 AM ET

In this competitive hiring atmosphere, find out how an excellent EHS department can help you attract and retain top-notch talent.

Energy

Ingersoll Rand Achieves 2020 Energy Efficiency Goal and Advances Climate Commitment With Renewable Energy

Apr 12, 2018 11:30 AM ET

Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR), a world leader in creating comfortable, sustainable and efficient environments, announced that it has achieved a significant milestone in its global Climate Commitment ahead of schedule and is deepening its commitment with on-site and off-site renewable energy investments.

Research, Reports & Publications

How a Quantitative Green Chemistry Evaluator Works

Apr 12, 2018 11:10 AM ET

As many chemists turn to greener options in the lab, they face the challenge of properly evaluating the “greenness” of a chemical or process. The 12 Principles of Green Chemistry— developed by Paul Anastas and John Warner—provide a global framework that helps scientists learn about green chemistry and how to design or improve materials, products, processes, and systems. These complementary principles focus on resource efficiency, energy efficiency, and risk minimization (e.g., human health and environmental), while targeting a life-cycle perspective (e.g., raw materials extraction, chemical production, and end-of-life bioaccumulation and biodegradation). While these principles lay a solid foundation, they are only conceptual and do not provide a quantitative framework for scoring green pro

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Pfizer Foundation Continues Support of Local Organizations through 2018 Global Health Innovation Grants

Apr 12, 2018 11:00 AM ET