ESG News from Leading Brands

Environment

Barret Werk: Bamboo Bikes

Jun 27, 2017 8:00 PM ET

"I guess the grass is itself a child, the produced babe of the vegetation." Perhaps Walt Whitman had this week's guests on Sea Change Radio in mind when he wrote those words, as we talk to two entrepreneurs who, in very different ways, are using nature's bounty for innovative purposes.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

KeyBank to Provide a Total of $7.3 Million in Financing for Estee Senior Apartments in Upstate NY

Jun 27, 2017 6:30 PM ET

KeyBank’s Community Development Lending & Investment (CDLI) team will provide a total of $7.3 million in financing to Liberty Affordable Housing, Inc. to support the new construction of 37 energy efficient affordable housing units for seniors ages 55 or older in Gloversville, NY. Specifically, KeyBank will provide a $2.6 million construction loan and up to $4.7 million in LIHTC equity financing.

Environment

Why Restoring Pollinator Habitat is the 'Single Most Important Conservation Movement of Our Time’

Jun 27, 2017 6:30 PM ET

When you're sitting at your breakfast table sipping your morning coffee and fruit juice, as you take a bite of your granola, take a moment to thank the birds, bees, butterflies and other pollinators that made your breakfast possible.

Research, Reports & Publications

A Letter from Sappi Limited's Global CEO Steve Binnie

Jun 27, 2017 6:00 PM ET

Sappi Limited's global CEO Steve Binnie discusses the state of sustainability at Sappi.

Research, Reports & Publications

Caterpillar Inc | Doing More To Restore Natural Resources

Jun 27, 2017 5:00 PM ET

Caterpillar is working actively with stakeholders to find collaborative and innovative solutions to restoring our planet’s natural resources. One of these collaborations, a summit of experts and leaders in engineering, construction, finance and environmentalism, resulted in a white paper on natural infrastructure restoration and ways to catalyze its development and expansion.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

BASF, Cargill, P&G and GIZ Collaborate to Drive Production of Sustainable Certified Coconut Oil in the Philippines and Indonesia

Jun 27, 2017 4:05 PM ET

BASF, Cargill, Procter & Gamble (P&G), and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH have joined together in a development partnership under the develoPPP.de programme by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The partnership will help establish a sustainable certified and transparent supply chain of coconut oil in the Philippines and Indonesia.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Habitat for Humanity Awarded $4.8 Million to Fund 350 AmeriCorps Member Positions

Jun 27, 2017 3:35 PM ET

The Corporation for National and Community Service has awarded Habitat for Humanity $4,887,750 in funds to support 350 AmeriCorps National member positions for 2017-2018. The funds will support Habitat AmeriCorps members who will serve in 36 states and in Washington, D.C.

Research, Reports & Publications

Invested in Change: BNY Mellon Highlights Notable Corporate Social Responsibility Achievements

Jun 27, 2017 3:00 PM ET

In BNY Mellon’s 233-year history, change has been a constant. Inspired by bold ideas and a legacy of innovation, employees working in 35 countries and more than 100 markets collaborate with stakeholders to help create a sustainable world where people can succeed and economies can thrive.

Research, Reports & Publications

UPS Commits to More Alternative Vehicles, Fuel and Renewable Power

Jun 27, 2017 3:00 PM ET

UPS’s 15th annual Sustainability Report provides a complete update on the company’s sustainability efforts, including a new goal to reduce absolute greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 12 percent by 2025 across global ground operations, a goal developed using methodology from the Science Based Targets initiative.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Family Recipe: Aaron Ewen Keeps it Consistent

Jun 27, 2017 2:45 PM ET

Meet Aaron Ewen. Aaron works for First Sun Management Corporation, a Wendy’s franchise organization based in South Carolina. Before Aaron was promoted to district manager, he was a general manager and his franchise organization named his Wendy’s “restaurant of the year” in 2016, which is pretty impressive because, in Aaron’s words, “The Clemson location is the only Wendy’s that I have had the honor of running.”

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Talent Acquisition in the 21st Century and the Role of CSR

Jun 27, 2017 2:30 PM ET

We are witnessing an unprecedented technological explosion unfold, and the number of industries and occupations with a shortage of skilled talent is growing as well. As a direct result, companies are doing more to brush up on their talent acquisition processes and finding ways to attract truly top talent. One of the best things about this is that corporate social responsibility (CSR) is getting its due attention.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

JetBlue’s Soar with Reading Initiative Lands in Fort Lauderdale

Jun 27, 2017 2:15 PM ET

JetBlue and Random House Children’s Books today launched the seventh annual Soar with Reading™ initiative, which provides age-appropriate books to children who need them most. This summer the program lands in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with JetBlue installing four custom vending machines throughout the city to distribute 100,000 books, free of charge.

Diversity & Inclusion

Visa Celebrates San Francisco Pride

Jun 27, 2017 2:05 PM ET

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Ecocentricity Blog - Front Six: Sensitizing Stakeholders

Jun 27, 2017 2:00 PM ET

So remember, it’s never okay for someone to say, “I can’t do much – I’m just one person.” That is categorically false. None of us are just one person, but rather parts of our families, friend groups and communities.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Voya Financial Chief Legal Officer Trish Walsh Joins Board of Partnership for After School Education

Jun 27, 2017 2:00 PM ET

Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA), announced today that Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer Trish Walsh has been appointed to the board of directors of the Partnership for After School Education (PASE). PASE is a child-focused organization that promotes and supports quality afterschool programs, particularly those serving young people from underserved communities.

Research, Reports & Publications

Collected Insights Offer a Strategic Roadmap for Companies as They Respond to New Global Challenges

Jun 27, 2017 1:30 PM ET

Further reinforcing trends seen over the last six months, CECP: The CEO Force for Good has drawn together its current research base to develop a series of insights designed to help guide companies as they shape their social strategies, which have gained new global importance given the unique role they are suited to play in this time of sociopolitical uncertainty.

Health & Healthcare

GSK Receives CHMP Positive Opinion for Synflorix Pneumococcal Vaccine Four-Dose Vial

Jun 27, 2017 1:30 PM ET

GSK announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has issued a positive opinion for a new four-dose vial presentation of its Synflorix pneumococcal vaccine.

Energy

Center for Resource Solutions and Changhua County to Expand Clean Energy Options in Taiwan

Jun 27, 2017 1:00 PM ET

Under the agreement, CRS will help Changhua County establish and grow opportunities for renewable electricity purchasing and use in Taiwan, allowing residents and businesses to use locally generated clean energy. CRS will also initiate a pilot project with provisional Green-e certification in tandem with the development of a Taiwan-specific Green-e Renewable Energy Standard to certify transactions that integrate with the new Taiwan Central Government’s REC system. This project will make Changhua County home to one of the first Green-e certifications outside of North America.

Education

Verizon Innovative Learning Brings New Tech Program to Girls in Rural Communities

Jun 27, 2017 12:10 PM ET

This summer, Verizon Innovative Learning launches its first program addressing the need for more girls, especially those in rural America, to be prepared for the science, technology, engineering and math careers of the future.

Diversity & Inclusion

Texas Diversity Council Discusses LGBT Cultural Competency at 2017 Healthcare Diversity Summit

Jun 27, 2017 12:00 PM ET

The Texas Diversity Council is proud to announce the 2017 Greater Dallas Healthcare Diversity Summit that will be held July 11, 2017. The event will be hosted by long-time corporate partner, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, for the 5th consecutive year.

Diversity & Inclusion

Pride in action: The A to Z of LGBT

Jun 27, 2017 11:55 AM ET

Continuing Bloomberg’s commitment to a diverse and open workplace, and in celebration of Pride month, here’s our version of the LGBT glossary. Take a moment to learn some new terms, and turn your pride into action.

Health & Healthcare

VMware Delivers Technology for Tomorrow’s Physicians

Jun 27, 2017 11:20 AM ET

Temple Health is a unique hospital. Located in the heart of Philadelphia, it is one of the city’s leading academic medical centers, working with over 1,000 physicians and scientists to bring innovative treatments to patients. But Temple Health is special, in part because of the close relationship it has with Temple University, which makes it a teaching hospital for tomorrow’s future medical leaders.

Research, Reports & Publications

UPS Commits to More Alternative Vehicles, Fuel and Renewable Power by 2025

Jun 27, 2017 11:10 AM ET

UPS (NYSE: UPS) today announced aggressive new sustainability goals to add more alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles to its fleet while increasing its reliance on renewable energy sources.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

LBG Canada Increases Total Community Footprint by $115M, with Stakeholders

Jun 27, 2017 11:00 AM ET

In 2016, stakeholder contributions enabled by LBG Canada companies totalled $115 Million. $54 Million of that total was employee giving!
90% of LBG Canada companies have a matched giving program, typically this involves the company matching dollar-for-dollar a charitable donation made by an employee. Some companies choose to match at a rate of 2:1 for donations made by executives. Matched giving essentially doubles the contribution and conceivably incentivizes charitable behaviour by sending a positive message to employees about the company's commitment to community.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

After Eight Years in Foster Care, Young Girl Finally Gets Forever Family

Jun 27, 2017 11:00 AM ET

Imagine spending your entire young life in foster care. From birth until age 8, Erianna was moved 12 times to different foster homes. It wasn’t until she met her adoptive parents that she finally had the stability she deserved.