ESG News from Leading Brands

Green Infrastructure

Managing Water Supplies Through Innovation in Southern California

Mar 20, 2018 9:00 AM ET

The City of Lakewood, California, hired Tetra Tech to design a new stormwater capture project that will improve water quality in the Los Cerritos Channel by removing pollutants conveyed within stormwater. The project consists of an air-inflated rubber dam diversion system to re-direct all runoff from the channel through a pre-treatment system to remove trash, debris, and sediment.

Environment

Xylem Watermark Sponsors AquaTower Builds for Planet Water Foundation’s Project 24

Mar 20, 2018 9:00 AM ET

Planet Water Foundation, a leading non-profit organization that addresses global water poverty by delivering clean water access and hygiene education programs, will deploy 24 community-based AquaTowers in 24 hours during Project 24 on March 22 — World Water Day. Now in its fourth year, Project 24 is recognized as an important event platform that raises awareness of the global water crisis by mobilizing leading companies and citizens to deliver clean, safe water and hygiene education programs in 24 communities. This year, the event takes place in communities within Cambodia, India, Indonesia, the Philippines and Puerto Rico.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

CVS Health Launches Year Three of Be the First, Its $50 Million Initiative to Help Deliver a Tobacco-Free Generation

Mar 20, 2018 9:00 AM ET

CVS Health (NYSE:CVS) today announced that it will award $10 million in 2018 to continue to support youth smoking prevention and education programs and strategies throughout the United States. The new commitments, funded through the company and the CVS Health Foundation, are part of Be The First, CVS Health’s five-year $50 million initiative to help deliver the nation’s first tobacco-free generation.

Events, Media & Communications

Just Announced - Hillary Rodham Clinton at #SVLeaders 2018!

Mar 19, 2018 6:30 PM ET

Join Hillary Rodham Clinton at the 2018 Shared Value Leadership Summit where she'll be engaging in dialogue on the role of business to drive scalable solutions to societal challenges, and on broader trends in the socio-political conditions that make now the time for business to innovate for shared value.

Media & Communications

Ceres on Corporate Sustainability: "Turning Point" Research Effort Results

Mar 19, 2018 5:15 PM ET

We can view this as very encouraging news: Ceres released a report – "Turning Point" -- that shows almost two-thirds of 600 companies examined intend to reduce GHG emission; half have water management policies; and just under half of the companies are formally committed to "workers' rights". The current research effort is the third assessment of corporate progress against key expectations of the framework, "The Ceres Roadmap for Sustainability," and is a follow up to Ceres' "Gaining Ground: Corporate Progress" report in 2014.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

At FCA, Learning About Sustainability Through a Virtual Community

Mar 19, 2018 4:30 PM ET

FCA recently launched a new approach to learning in a virtual “city” full of learning opportunities and digital materials available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Education

A $3.5 Million Commitment to Increase Financial Capability

Mar 19, 2018 4:00 PM ET

Wells Fargo’s new Financial Capability Grant program will help two nonprofits provide financial empowerment programs to the residents in several communities.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

LA Galaxy Visit Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

Mar 19, 2018 3:30 PM ET

AEG’s LA Galaxy took time last week to visit Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) in continuation of the team’s longstanding relationship with CHLA and in support of Make March Matter.

On Thursday, March 15 nine players including Ashley Cole, Giovani dos Santos, Sebastian Lletget, Rolf Feltscher, Emmanuel Boateng, Jorgen Skjelvik, Daniel Steres, Chris Pontius, Brian Sylvestre and Tomas Hilliard-Arse spent the afternoon at CHLA, along with LA Galaxy Mascot, visiting outpatients and their families in their rooms.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Ecocentricity Blog: Who's Responsible for This?

Mar 19, 2018 2:45 PM ET

Most commonly, these regulations require businesses to share in the responsibility of properly disposing of their products at end-of-life. In other words, they can’t sell something and then say, “not my problem now!”

Education

The Connectory Adds Volunteerism to Its Platform; Boosts Engagement

Mar 19, 2018 2:30 PM ET

Parents and teachers looking for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) learning opportunities for their children can easily browse The Connectory to find what’s going on near them. Yet the online portal, launched in 2010 by Time Warner Cable and managed by the National Girls Collaborative (NGC), was missing something: volunteer opportunities!

Responsible Production & Consumption

The War on Straws Is Coming to a Bar Near You

Mar 19, 2018 1:30 PM ET

Bacardi Ltd. cited the 500 million estimate when it became one of the first spirits makers to take a stand against plastic straws and swizzle sticks, banning them two years ago from its events. A Bacardi spokeswoman says the initiative spares more than 1 million straws a year.

Events, Media & Communications

CBRE Hosts 2018 Women’s Networking Forum

Mar 19, 2018 1:15 PM ET

CBRE hosted its 2018 CBRE Women’s Networking Forum, the largest company gathering of women, March 14-16 in Chicago. The conference theme this year was “Impact,” recognizing the positive impact of women in the company and the commercial real estate industry.

“The Women’s Networking Forum has been an important business development opportunity for our members for 18 years,” said Lisa Konieczka, Women’s Network chairperson and executive vice president in the company’s Chicago office. “The environment is collaborative and focused on success. We meet, share best practices, explore new ideas, improve our business skills, and recognize and celebrate the positive impact of women to our organization and CBRE.”

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Sodexo Awarded for Catering and Event Excellence

Mar 19, 2018 12:45 PM ET

Sodexo, a food services and facilities management company committed to improving Quality of Life, announced today that its catering and event teams at the legendary Hollywood Bowl in California and the iconic Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago have been recognized with a prestigious Catersource Achievement in Catering Excellence (ACE) Award, which honors companies that have shown noteworthy achievement in the catering industry through culinary, business, community and professional development.

Environment

T. Rowe Price’s CSR Report Shows Emissions and Waste Reductions

Mar 19, 2018 12:30 PM ET

T. Rowe Price has published its 2016 – 2017 corporate social responsibility report. The Baltimore-based global investment management organization demonstrated reductions in greenhouse gas emissions per associate over a six-year period. Between 2010 and 2016, the firm’s total GHG emissions went down 4% and were reduced by 31% per associate, according to the report. This occurred despite a 51% increase in the firm’s associate population.

Research, Reports & Publications

British American Tobacco Underlines Commitment to Transforming Tobacco in Latest Group Reports

Mar 19, 2018 12:25 PM ET

British American Tobacco (BAT) today published its Annual Report and Sustainability Report – both of which outline the Company’s commitment to transform tobacco by offering an unrivalled suite of potentially reduced-risk products that address the varied preferences of today’s consumers.

Diversity & Inclusion

Columbia University and Citi Announce National Expansion of Columbia’s Center for Veteran Transition and Integration

Mar 19, 2018 11:30 AM ET

Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration today announced a new collaboration with Citi to increase educational programming and support for veterans and military family members making the transition to two- and four-year colleges, graduate and professional schools, civilian life, and the workforce. With $300,000 in support from Citi Community Development, the national expansion of the Center will provide tools and resources that address the unique challenges veterans face entering the classroom and workplace with the aim to reach 10,000 service members and their families in the first two years.

Green Infrastructure

UPS London Switches on Smart Grid to Super-Charge Electric Delivery Fleet

Mar 19, 2018 11:20 AM ET

UPS has deployed a radical new charging technology in London that overcomes the challenge of simultaneously recharging an entire fleet of electric vehicles (EVs) without the need for the expensive upgrade to the power supply grid.

Environment

World Water Day: Nature for Water

Mar 19, 2018 10:40 AM ET

This World Water Day, we’d like you to imagine a few simple scenes. First, imagine yourself on a sweltering summer day, drinking a refreshing cup of cold water. Then, picture yourself finally getting to bathe after a long day of work or travel. Lastly, think of getting up early to cook a big pot of oatmeal for your family’s breakfast. In your mind, was the cold water you drank a cloudy yellow color? Did you have to walk a mile or more to bathe in a murky river or pond? Or did you have to consider that your family might become ill from the food you cooked with contaminated water?

Green Infrastructure

Consumers Energy Plans New Grand Rapids Headquarters

Mar 19, 2018 10:35 AM ET

Consumers Energy’s investment in West Michigan continues with plans announced today for a new $20 million headquarters in the city of Grand Rapids to serve the fastest-growing region of its company. Locating the building in the city’s West Side, a vibrant area seeing significant redevelopment centered on sustainability and walkability, is a promise to Consumers Energy’s employees of today and tomorrow.

Diversity & Inclusion

Las Vegas Sands Honors International Women's Day: Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

Mar 19, 2018 10:35 AM ET

In honor of International Women’s Day, Las Vegas Sands has chosen to highlight female Team Members in all of the regions in which we operate that have initiated change in their communities and the workplace. Here we recognize Christine Kaelbel-Sheares, Hazel Chan, and Chan Yit Foon.

Education

21 Savage and Get Schooled Launch the “21 Savage Bank Account” Campaign to Teach Teens Money Managing Basics

Mar 19, 2018 10:30 AM ET

Today, 21 Savage and Get Schooled launched, “21 Savage’s Bank Account,” a campaign to teach teens money basics. The campaign, announced on Ellen today, includes a digital badge, 21 Savages’ money tips for young moguls, as well as the opportunity for young people to receive $1,000 from 21 Savage’s Leading by Example Foundation to start their own bank account and gain knowledge in financial literacy. Savage is giving the first 21 accounts to deserving teens and people are encouraged to donate and sponsor for just $1,000 a kid at www.getschooled.com.

Education

How Barclays Helps Prepare People for the Workplace

Mar 19, 2018 10:25 AM ET

Innovation & Technology

Fostering a Secure Tomorrow

Mar 19, 2018 10:15 AM ET

Events, Media & Communications

In Search of the Next Generation of Sustainability Leaders

Mar 19, 2018 9:55 AM ET

GreenBiz Group, in partnership with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, is opening nominations for the 2018 class of "30 Under 30" honorees, showcasing the next generation of sustainable business leaders.

Diversity & Inclusion

JetBlue Encourages Young Aviators to #FlyLikeAGirl

Mar 19, 2018 9:30 AM ET

In celebration of Women’s History Month, last week JetBlue’s Women in Flight crewmember resource group, in partnership with the airline’s diversity & inclusion teams and the JetBlue Foundation, hosted its signature Fly Like a Girl event, bringing aspiring and youth from local organizations to JetBlue’s Hangar at New York’s JFK Airport. For the fourth year in a row, participants heard what it’s like to run an airline from female crewmembers representing careers below the wing, above the wing and everywhere in between.

At the event, the attendees participated in sessions throughout the day which included a crewmember Q&A, an airplane engine “show and tell,” and an opportunity to board an aircraft and sit in the Captain’s seat and a meet-and-greet with women pilots and inflight crewmembers.