ESG News from Leading Brands

Research, Reports & Publications

VIDEO | Meet Dr. Mary Battrell, Staff Veterinarian for Smithfield Foods

May 28, 2019 5:15 PM ET

Meet Dr. Mary Battrell, staff veterinarian for Smithfield Foods. Dr. Battrell has spent over 20 years ensuring that Smithfield’s animals are safe, comfortable, and healthy. Her motto is: "Every pig. Every pen. Every day. Food, water, comfort, care."

Innovation & Technology

Can VR Make Climate Change “Real”?

May 28, 2019 4:50 PM ET

From Greenland’s melting glaciers to endangered African elephants to the up-close effects of ocean acidification and dying coral reefs, immersive VR is bringing viewers inside the effects of climate change and closer to the beauty and the beasts of our planet that need saving.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Most Grass-Fed Beef Labeled ‘Product of U.S.A.’ Is Imported

May 28, 2019 4:30 PM ET

Even the impact of well-managed grazing systems is up for debate. On one hand, you have operations such as White Oak Pastures in Bluffton, Georgia, which focus on regenerative agriculture and a range of crops and animals, including grass-fed beef. White Oak is actually removing 3.5 kilograms of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere for every kilogram of beef it produces, according to a life-cycle analysis by Quantis commissioned by General Mills.

Sustainable Development Goals

NRG's Commitment to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

May 28, 2019 3:40 PM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Period Poverty Taskforce - Minister Announces Next Steps on Menstrual Hygiene Day

May 28, 2019 3:25 PM ET

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Partners in Purpose: Symantec Employees Build a Sustainable Business

May 28, 2019 3:15 PM ET

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change advises that failing to take urgent action to keep temperature rise below 2°C will result in untold negative impacts. In response, Symantec has set science-based targets, and have engaged their employees to help reduce the company's GHG emissions by at least 2.8% each year through 2033.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Michael Bloomberg Announces New Funding for “America’s Pledge” U.S. Climate Report to Counter Trump Administration’s Failure on Addressing Climate Crisis

May 28, 2019 3:15 PM ET

Today, Michael R. Bloomberg, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Climate Action, is doubling down on his commitment to support ongoing efforts at the state and local levels to combat the climate crisis as the current U.S. administration fails to act. Bloomberg will grant $2.3 million to the University of Maryland’s Center for Global Sustainability and the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) to evaluate and analyze current U.S. greenhouse gas emissions reductions.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Entrepreneurship Education Inspiring Second Chances

May 28, 2019 3:00 PM ET

At the maximum-security El Dorado Correctional Facility (EDCF) in rural El Dorado, Kansas, the prison is experimenting with a unique educational curriculum aimed at doing just that. It’s called Youth Entrepreneurs (YE), a program supported in part by Koch Industries that helps high school students discover their strengths and pursue their dreams. And now it’s poised to do the same for incarcerated adults.

Diversity & Inclusion

Booz Allen’s Dee Dee Helfenstein Shares Career Advice for the Next Generation of Women in Consulting

May 28, 2019 1:25 PM ET

What advice guides a successful trajectory for women in consulting? For Booz Allen Executive Vice President Dee Dee Helfenstein, it’s a quote by Maya Angelou: “People will forget what you said and forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” “I have always loved this quote as it is about the heart and making people feel valued, motivated, and supported,” Helfenstein said. “My advice for new leaders is to always remember to be fully present, to listen, to empower, and to inspire.”Helfenstein shared insights from two decades in consulting, plus stories from other “trailblazing, authentic female leaders,”.

Environment

Opinion: Let's Work Together for Michigan's Future

May 28, 2019 1:05 PM ET

The Detroit Regional Chamber’s 39th annual Mackinac Policy Conference is shining a spotlight on the major opportunities that our state is embracing. New political leadership at the state level and rapid evolution in our state’s automotive and high-tech industries make this a perfect time to focus in on Michigan’s priorities and future.The Mackinac Policy Conference brings people together from all walks of life. Currently, we are operating under a split government following a contentious election. The umbrella of "One Michigan" creates paths to prosperity for families and businesses to grow and thrive. When we bring Michigan together, there is nothing we can’t solve.

The three pillars of this year’s conference speak to those shared values and celebrate all that Michigan has to offer.

Research, Reports & Publications

Chevron Releases 2018 Corporate Responsibility Report Highlights

May 28, 2019 12:30 PM ET

Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX) today published its 2018 Corporate Responsibility Report Highlights focusing on the company’s achievements in environmental, social and governance performance. This year, Chevron’s corporate responsibility reporting emphasizes environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues of interest to its stakeholders — investors, customers, host governments, local communities and employees. It details Chevron’s actions to engage its diverse workforce; manage risks, including climate change; keep people healthy and safe; protect the environment; and respect human rights.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Scotiabank Continues Its Support of the SickKids-Caribbean Initiative with a New $1 Million Donation

May 28, 2019 12:25 PM ET

in support of the SickKids Herbie Fund, Scotiabank announced a new $1 million donation to support Phase Two of the SickKids-Caribbean Initiative, a project with a goal of helping to build a sustainable program to diagnose and treat paediatric cancer and serious blood disorders in the Caribbean. The initiative – in which Scotiabank is recognized as the Telemedicine Partner – connects doctors at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto with doctors in six countries in the Caribbean to help improve – and in many cases, save the lives of young people.

Diversity & Inclusion

Room for Inclusion

May 28, 2019 12:00 PM ET

Perhaps the most challenging aspect of life in this fast-paced, always connected world is maintaining a proper work/life balance. Fortunately, Whirlpool Corporation believes in the importance of this balance, and looks for ways to help employees achieve it.

Responsible Production & Consumption

LG Encourages American Consumers to 'Flip Your Fridge'

May 28, 2019 11:50 AM ET

ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year LG Electronics USA is encouraging consumers to “Flip Your Fridge” in a nationwide retail promotion that offers attractive discounts on ENERGY STAR certified LG refrigerators. On average, an old refrigerator uses nearly twice as much energy as a new ENERGY STAR refrigerator. An LG ENERGY STAR certified refrigerator generally uses less energy than a 60-watt light bulb, and replacing your old refrigerator with a new LG model that has earned the ENERGY STAR label could save you more than $300 over the next five years.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Comerica Bank Ranked Among Top Corporate Supporters of American Heart Association Detroit Heart Walk by Raising over $38,000

May 28, 2019 11:00 AM ET

Comerica Bank finished among the Top 4 companies supporting the American Heart Association’s 2019 Metro Detroit Heart and Stroke Walk/Run by contributing over $38,000 to help raise funding for break-through research. Additionally, Team Comerica captured the best overall honors in the Top Team category with a donation of $15,000.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Points of Light and The Starbucks Foundation Expand Innovative Service Model in 20 Cities Across the United States

May 28, 2019 10:00 AM ET

Points of Light, the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service, and The Starbucks Foundation announce the expansion of The Starbucks Foundation Service Fellows Program, an innovative service model inspired by national service.

Education

The Importance of Knowing Your ABCs and 123s

May 28, 2019 9:30 AM ET

Reading and math skills are two of the most important building blocks that can help kids with continued success in school, work, and life. The skills children gain in their earliest school years, from kindergarten to Grade 6, are known to influence their ability to graduate from high school and pursue post-secondary education.

Research, Reports & Publications

Canary Wharf Group Defines the City of the Future in Latest Sustainability Report

May 28, 2019 9:00 AM ET

Canary Wharf Group’s vision is to inspire positive impact by creating places that are healthy, thriving, sustainable and future-ready, and in its latest report, Making Sustainability Real it defines the City of the Future as Circular, Positive, Innovative, Responsible and Measured. The Group also calls for greater collaboration, as it acknowledges the need for urgency to tackle the global challenges facing all of us.

Diversity & Inclusion

Interview with Laurence Esguerra, Water Infrastructure Project Manager

May 28, 2019 9:00 AM ET

Laurence Esguerra earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Irvine in civil engineering with an emphasis in water and wastewater. Laurence interned with Tetra Tech as a student and joined our Irvine office after graduating in 2003. As a project manager and technical lead, he focuses on water and recycled water infrastructure. He manages design and implementation of water and recycled water capital improvement projects for local municipalities. We talked with Laurence as part of our #TtInspires campaign celebrating the passion of Tetra Tech employees. Follow #TtInspires on social media for more stories.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Paolo Bevilacqua of Frasers Property Australia Appointed to International Living Future Institute Board of Directors

May 28, 2019 9:00 AM ET

The International Living Future Institute (ILFI) announced today that Paolo Bevilacqua, Frasers Property Australia’s General Manager - Real Utilities and Chair of the Board of Living Future Institute Australia (LFIA), has become a member of the Board of Directors.

Research, Reports & Publications

Highlights from MetLife's 2018 Global Impact Report

May 28, 2019 9:00 AM ET

Making a Global Impact: Our Corporate Responsibility Strategy: At MetLife, we see our role as building a more protected world in a time of unprecedented change. The company’s commitment to corporate responsibility is integral to this core business purpose. We deliver on this commitment in many ways: through the security we provide customers, the claims we pay during their times of need, our activities in the communities that we serve, and long-term investments in the broader economy. Our goal is to responsibly deliver long-term value for all stakeholders as we navigate life together.

Research, Reports & Publications

JT Group Sustainability Report FY2018

May 28, 2019 5:00 AM ET

The JT Group’s 2018 Sustainability Report is now available. It includes some of the key contributions of JTI, its international tobacco business, in meeting the Group’s sustainability objectives.

Education

SPW 27 at European Schoolnet

May 27, 2019 1:15 PM ET

Amgen Teach Science Projects Workshop In The Future Classroom Lab, 5-6 April

The workshop was co-organised by the Amgen Teach and Space EU projects and had 12 Amgen Teach Ambassadors and 10 Space EU Teacher Training Institutes (TTIs) participating during a 2 day event at the European Schoolnet headquarters in Brussels

Environment

Unpacking the Business & Stakeholder Relationship Management Toolbox During Decommissioning

May 27, 2019 11:35 AM ET

Antea Group’s blog has great advice on successfully managing business risk and stakeholder relationships before and during a decommissioning process.

Diversity & Inclusion

We Must Remember on Memorial Day

May 27, 2019 11:00 AM ET

The unofficial start to summer kicks off this weekend with cookouts, pool parties, and beach getaways. As a combat veteran who has lost friends to the scourge of war, I want to provide the following public service announcement. Enjoy the holiday weekend but please find time to celebrate Memorial Day the right way. Whatever you do, avoid these holiday greetings: “Thank you for your service” and “Happy Memorial Day.”