ESG News from Leading Brands

Research, Reports & Publications

eBay Empowering U.S. Small Business Trade and Inclusive Growth

Jun 5, 2019 12:15 PM ET

The new U.S. Small Online Business Trade and Inclusive Growth report reveals that at the national level, 96% of eBay-enabled small businesses export and reach an average of 17 different foreign countries with their products. By comparison, only 1% of traditional businesses in the Unites States are exporters and reach an average of only 4 foreign markets. Additionally, 60% of eBay-enabled small businesses sold to customers on four or more continents, further solidifying that the export reach through eBay is truly global.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

My Special Aflac Duck® Wins at 2019 Halo Awards

Jun 5, 2019 11:55 AM ET

Aflac and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals were recognized at the 17th annual Engage for Good conference with a Silver Halo Award for their partnership around My Special Aflac Duck®. The award highlighted Aflac for its leadership in corporate social responsibility and innovative approach to making an impact on pediatric cancer patients. Together, Aflac and CMN Hospitals have worked together to distribute over 4,200 My Special Aflac Ducks to pediatric cancer patients at more than 200 facilities across the country.

Environment

On World Environment Day, The Olympic Movement Celebrates One Year of Action Against Plastic Waste

Jun 5, 2019 11:35 AM ET

World Environment Day 2019 marks one year since the International Olympic Committee (IOC) joined UN Environment’s #CleanSeas
initiative to beat plastic waste and called on the Olympic Movement to come on board. Since then, 11 International Sports Federations (IFs), four National Olympic Committees (NOCs), three of the IOC’s commercial partners and the Japanese town of Ichinomiya – host of the Tokyo 2020 surfing competitions – have joined the initiative. Here are some examples of how they are turning their commitments into action.

Environment

Corporate Sustainability & Consumers: 3 Trends Every Company Needs to Know

Jun 5, 2019 11:35 AM ET

Antea Group shares three important sustainability trends related to consumers, as well as key takeaways, that every company needs to pay attention to.

Education

Following Tragedy and Disability, CMT Empowers Dad to Return to School to Help Others

Jun 5, 2019 11:35 AM ET

Randy Smith is exactly the type of student that CMT hopes to connect with via its Empowering Education campaign. This spring, CMT partnered with the Tennessee Board of Regents – which supervises all community colleges and colleges of applied technology in the state – to bring the Empowering Education initiative across the state. The partnership taps into CMT’s production expertise, distribution partnerships and access to talent to help prospective students overcome perceived obstacles to furthering education.

Responsible Production & Consumption

VIDEO | Clean Labels

Jun 5, 2019 11:00 AM ET

People are paying closer attention than ever to what goes into their food. That’s why Smithfield Foods provides clean label options that have easy-to-understand ingredients.

Research, Reports & Publications

Edison International Sustainability Report Highlights Clean Energy Progress, Leadership in the Transformation of the Electric Power Industry

Jun 5, 2019 10:55 AM ET

Edison International has released its 2018 Sustainability Report reflecting its sustainability strategy and 2018 sustainability performance. The report shows how the company is leading the transformation of the electric power industry and operating its business with excellence by focusing on customers, communities and employees, with safety as its top value.

Social Impact & Volunteering

CIT Launches Annual Volunteer Month and Invites Consumers to Give Back Across the Country

Jun 5, 2019 10:45 AM ET

CIT Group Inc. (NYSE: CIT) today launched its third annual CIT Cares Month, a company-wide initiative mobilizing CIT employees to volunteer across their local communities. Starting Monday, consumers nationwide are also invited to participate in a social media campaign to support three nonprofits that center on CIT’s corporate responsibility framework: Empowerment, Environment and Wellness.

Health & Healthcare

Fortifying Futures for Children in India

Jun 5, 2019 10:45 AM ET

In India, a country with more than 1.2 billion people, one in every three children is malnourished. If you do the math, that’s 46 million kids exhibiting symptoms of malnourishment, such as anemia and stunted growth. We’re working to reduce these numbers and help kids in India through our philanthropy at General Mills. And we know school meals are one of the most effective ways to ensure children have a healthy start to life.

Media & Communications

Sustainable Brands® Convenes Global Brand Leaders to Launch “Brands for Good” Movement

Jun 5, 2019 10:30 AM ET

Today a coalition of leading global brands gathered at SB’19 Detroit to launch Brands for Good, a movement to make sustainable living easier and more rewarding for people around the world. Founding partners on the cutting edge of sustainability, innovation and marketing in the food & beverage, consumer goods & lifestyle, retail and technology industries have agreed to harness their brand reach, resources and influence to make the Good Life more attractive, attainable and sustainable.

Environment

LifeGate PlasticLess Reaches the UK, the First Rubbish Bin of the Sea Installed Thanks to Whirlpool

Jun 5, 2019 10:15 AM ET

The UK welcomes LifeGate PlasticLess, the innovative project against plastic pollution that has already swept over Italy. Portishead, near Bristol, receives its first rubbish bin of the sea thanks to Whirlpool Corporation.

Research, Reports & Publications

From Internet of Things to Internet of Water: How Integrated Data Can Help Stop "Day Zero"

Jun 5, 2019 10:00 AM ET

In 2018, Cape Town residents stared down "Day Zero," the moment when the water system – jeopardized by the combination of population growth, drought cycles, aging infrastructure and deferred system improvements – was predicted to literally run dry. Fortunately, citizens rallied by heeding the conservation calls, and the skies opened. A historic crisis was averted for its more than 3 million residents. But the lessons lingers on: Government and water industry leaders the world over are reconsidering how climate impacts and deferred maintenance threaten the resilience of our supply.

Diversity & Inclusion

Northern Trust Partners in India Participated in the Pune Pride Walk

Jun 5, 2019 9:05 AM ET

Sustainable Development Goals

Tetra Tech Supports the UN Global Compact

Jun 5, 2019 9:00 AM ET

As part of its corporate commitment to sustainability, Tetra Tech joined the United Nations (UN) Global Compact, which supports UN efforts to end extreme poverty, fight inequality, and address climate change.

Research, Reports & Publications

MetLife 2018 Global Impact Report: Investing in Our Employees

Jun 5, 2019 9:00 AM ET

MetLife is committed to supporting employee needs and interests — first and foremost, staying healthy in mind and body. We also organize free activities that encourage good health and well-being. In April 2018, we launched our first annual “Wellness for Life Week” initiative with employees in more than 20 countries taking part. Group activities included fitness programs, community service projects, healthy eating events and mindfulness training. Throughout the year, employees joined more than 500 wellness activities and events through our Wellness for Life program.

Events, Media & Communications

Announcing This Year’s 3BL Forum: Brands Taking Stands ™ – What’s Next Emcees

Jun 5, 2019 9:00 AM ET

We are extremely pleased to introduce you to our emcees for 3BL Forum: Brands Taking Stands™ What’s Next. Join them as they share their insights and ideas and guide us through a two-day high-octane conversation. We will collectively explore this rapidly changing business environment and what’s next for companies as they face changing expectations of investors, employees, consumers, customers and partners.

Environment

Scotiabank Addresses Climate Change by Establishing an Internal Carbon Price

Jun 5, 2019 9:00 AM ET

As part of our commitment to the Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition, we implemented an internal carbon price in 2018. After
consultations with external experts and a thorough peer review, we established an internal tax of CAD$15 per tonne of CO2 for our
global Scope 1 and 2 emissions. This allowed us to fairly compare projects that required higher upfront costs (but delivered longer-term energy savings), with those that were more cost-effective but short-term solutions.

Research, Reports & Publications

Celebrating the World Environment Day - Tetra Pak Sustainability Reporting Reaches 21-Year Landmark

Jun 5, 2019 9:00 AM ET

Over the past two decades the company’s approach to sustainability reporting has evolved significantly, from focusing on environmental commitments and actions in the first report in 1999, to evaluating every part of the business and its impact, including societal and supplier governance. Adopting a mix of self-assessment to aligning with Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines, as well as supporting the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through a process called materiality assessment to ensure the company can make the biggest possible impact.

Environment

Boeing Advances Biofuels, Recycling and Conservation

Jun 5, 2019 8:10 AM ET

Boeing is building cleaner, more fuel-efficient airplanes and finding innovative ways to recycle and conserve resources, according to the 2019 Global Environment Report, released on World Environment Day.

Research, Reports & Publications

Barilla “Good for You, Good for the Planet” – 2019 Report

Jun 5, 2019 5:00 AM ET

Barilla Group has released its new Sustainability Report.

It represents the opportunity to share the path taken by the Company with society at large and to give a concrete contribution to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, part of the 2030 Agenda.

Environment

Ramez Naam on the Green New Deal, Pt. 2 + Sunscreen Bans

Jun 4, 2019 6:30 PM ET

If you've been wondering what people mean when they talk about a Green New Deal, today's episode of Sea Change Radio should help. This week we air the second half of our discussion with technologist Ramez Naam.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Fair Trade Certified™ Tea Takes the Stage at World Tea Expo as Demand Brews

Jun 4, 2019 6:00 PM ET

Fair Trade USA®, the leading certifier of fair trade products in North America, recognizes the potential growth in the sustainable tea category, as evidenced by sales that are outpacing the conventional tea market. The nonprofit organization has responded by onboarding additional international field staff and partnership development team members, and increasing outreach to producer communities to ensure the growing demand for high-quality Fair Trade Certified™ tea can be met.

Diversity & Inclusion

Northern Trust London Office Hosted a 'Trans Inclusion' Seminar

Jun 4, 2019 4:45 PM ET

The Northern Trust London office hosted a 'trans inclusion' seminar led by Global Butterflies, where attendees learned how to be a good ally to our trans colleagues and clients.

Health & Healthcare

Emerging Neighborhood In Downtown Tampa Is Raising The Bar For Health, Wellness

Jun 4, 2019 4:10 PM ET

Like a flower pushing up through concrete, a unique neighborhood is blossoming in Tampa. Water Street Tampa is undergoing development from the ground up on more than 50 acres in downtown Tampa along the waterfront. The developer, Tampa-based Strategic Property Partners (SPP), is putting health and well-being at the forefront of the transformation with innovative urban planning that provides a blueprint for what a city can be.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

CBRE Recognized for Professional Excellence by CoreNet Global

Jun 4, 2019 3:30 PM ET

CBRE, Iron Mountain and Redaptive have won the 2019 Professional Excellence Award conferred by CoreNet Global. The combined team was recognized for accelerating environmental improvements and cost reduction via an innovative Efficiency-as-a Service (EaaS) delivery model. CBRE’s energy managers, in collaboration with Iron Mountain’s Global Real Estate and Sustainability leadership, developed a multi-year energy strategy to improve facility efficiency and sustainability.