ESG News from Leading Brands

Environment

Transform to Net Zero and the Shift From Climate Ambition to Climate Action

Sep 21, 2020 3:00 PM ET

Unless companies transform into net zero businesses, targets alone will not persuade governments to make more ambitious national pledges. That is why we need—and we are beginning to see—a great shift from climate ambition to climate action.

Events, Media & Communications

Earthx CEO with Brad Smith of Microsoft Premieres Wednesday, September 23rd

Sep 21, 2020 3:00 PM ET

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Fortune Magazine Names Medtronic to Its Annual 'Change the World' List

Sep 21, 2020 3:00 PM ET

Fortune Magazine announced today that Medtronic has been selected for the 2020 ‘Change the World’ list. An annual list recognizing companies that address social challenges through their core business efforts, Fortune noted Medtronic made the list because of the swift efforts it took to mobilize its global supply of ventilators during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Environment

Futurecasting a World With Water Aware Financial Institutions: Four Takeaways

Sep 21, 2020 2:50 PM ET

Understanding the real enormity and complexity of the water crisis that companies face requires a concerted effort at combining scientific and financial insights, according to speakers convened by Ceres at World Water Week 2020.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Whole Kids Foundation and Mikaila Ulmer to Host “Dream Like a Teen” Young Entrepreneur Virtual Round Table on October 3

Sep 21, 2020 2:40 PM ET

Top youth entrepreneurs from across the country are joining Whole Kids Foundation in a virtual event to share their wins, insights and key learnings with the aim of helping other kids start or grow their businesses. The online event is free and open to the public.

Education

HanesBrands Pivots to Virtual Learning to Preserve Employee Continuing Education Program During COVID-19 Pandemic

Sep 21, 2020 2:05 PM ET

In addition to emergency production of face masks and re-opening manufacturing facilities in a safety-first manner in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, HanesBrands also has pivoted to remote learning to preserve its popular continuing education program for employees in Central America and the Caribbean.

Sustainable Development Goals

United Nations Global Compact CFO Taskforce Launches Principles for Integrated SDG Investments and Finance to Focus Private Sector Investment on Sustainable Development

Sep 21, 2020 1:55 PM ET

The UN Global Compact CFO Taskforce today launched the first integrated, UN-backed principles for integrated SDG Finance and Investment.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Race and Insurance: What Insurance Commissioners Are Saying About It

Sep 21, 2020 1:50 PM ET

Amos said that Aflac’s workforce is 66% women, 35% African American and almost 50% minority. To keep those numbers moving in the right directions, Amos gets personally involved in diversity initiatives.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Bacardi in the UAE Raises the Bar as First Spirits Company in the Middle East To Be Great Place To Work-Certified™

Sep 21, 2020 1:30 PM ET

Bacardi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) recently became the first spirits company in the Middle East to be certified by Great Place to Work®, the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience, and leadership behaviors.

Diversity & Inclusion

Gold Medalist Aly Raisman on Courage and Self‑Compassion

Sep 21, 2020 1:30 PM ET

Aly Raisman, team captain of the gold medal winning U.S. Women’s Gymnastics teams in 2012 and 2016, spoke at the 4th annual T-Mobile Women’s Summit about the importance of self-care, believing in yourself and being an ally.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

PayPal Continues to Expand Nonprofit Partnerships in the San Jose Community

Sep 21, 2020 1:00 PM ET

“Too many of our young people lack opportunities to develop the skills they need to succeed at great companies,” said San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo. “Thank you, PayPal, for your generous commitment to our future leaders of Silicon Valley.”

Sustainable Development Goals

Aligning to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

Sep 21, 2020 1:00 PM ET

Despite the impacts of COVID-19, Dow is joining other companies that have aligned their sustainability commitments to the SDGs and are accelerating their actions to commit to climate action.

Health & Healthcare

Alkermes Shares Mental Health Resources During National Suicide Prevention Month

Sep 21, 2020 12:45 PM ET

Did you know that over 50% of individuals with #schizophrenia who die by suicide have made a previous attempt?

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support

Energy

McCain Foods Unveils Australia's Largest “Behind-the-Meter” Renewable Energy System

Sep 21, 2020 12:30 PM ET

McCain Foods Australia has announced it has commenced construction on a renewable energy system that will reduce emissions from its Ballarat food processing facility by more than 27,000 tonnes of CO2 per year.

Environment

Walmart Sets Goal To Become a Regenerative Company

Sep 21, 2020 12:00 PM ET

Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are also committing to help protect, manage or restore at least 50 million acres of land and one million square miles of ocean by 2030 to help combat the cascading loss of nature threatening the planet.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

It's Preparedness Month. Here's How to Get Ready for Natural Disasters

Sep 21, 2020 12:00 PM ET

If there’s a big storm or other emergency, you won’t have time to pack the things you need. But if you have a storm kit prepared, you’ll be ready. That’s why Duke Energy provided storm kits to nonprofits in its service area.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Verizon Convenes Second Citizen Verizon Assembly: Education Is Not up for Debate

Sep 21, 2020 11:45 AM ET

Verizon will host the second Citizen Verizon Assembly, Education is Not Up for Debate, for a timely discussion about the education system, covering remote learning, inequality and mental health as Verizon

Green Infrastructure

Delivering a Green, Clean and Inclusive Rebuild Post Covid-19

Sep 21, 2020 11:30 AM ET

In this session, panelists will discuss the opportunity for a clean rebuild of the economy post Covid-19, and how businesses must build new levels of resilience and understand that financial sustainability now means low carbon.

Research, Reports & Publications

Pentair Announces 2019 Corporate Responsibility Report: Smart, Sustainable Solutions. For Life.

Sep 21, 2020 11:30 AM ET

Global water treatment company Pentair announces the release of its 2019 Corporate Responsibility (CR) Report.

Diversity & Inclusion

Asset Building for Immigrant Communities Through Affordable Homeownership

Sep 21, 2020 11:05 AM ET

Homeownership is an important way that many create financial security and build wealth, which are critical to a family’s financial well-being and quality of life.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

The Hershey Company: Built by Purpose

Sep 21, 2020 11:00 AM ET

From the moment Milton Hershey founded our company and sought to make chocolate—previously a luxury good—accessible to the masses, we worked to make more moments of goodness in people’s lives.

Education

Comcast NBCUniversal, BUILD.org Partner on Digital Curriculum for Under-Resourced Students

Sep 21, 2020 11:00 AM ET

BUILD and Comcast are committed to using their resources to level the playing field for all students, regardless of zip code or income.

Research, Reports & Publications

Essity's Annual and Sustainability Report 2019: Our Strengths

Sep 21, 2020 10:35 AM ET

Improving well-being and contributing to a sustainable and circular society

Energy

BPC - a Black & Veatch and PCL Construction Joint Venture - To Help Alberta Transition to a Lower-carbon Energy Future

Sep 21, 2020 10:00 AM ET

BPC, a JV between Black & Veatch & PCL Industrial Management, has been selected to help further decarbonization in Alberta by constructing a 900MW low-carbon natural gas combined cycle generating facility under an EPC contract with Kineticor

Sustainable Development Goals

Business Leaders From More Than 100 Countries Pledge Support for Multilateralism As the United Nations Turns 75

Sep 21, 2020 9:00 AM ET

More than 1,000 Chief Executive Officers from companies in over 100 countries have demonstrated their support for the United Nations and inclusive multilateralism by signing onto a powerful Statement from Business Leaders for Renewed Global Cooperation.