ESG News from Leading Brands

Keep up with the latest environmental, social and governance news from companies embracing the triple bottom line, shared via 3BL's distribution platform.

Energy

General Mills Signs Its Largest Wind Power Agreement

General Mills, Inc. has signed a virtual 15-year power purchase agreement for 200 megawatts of the Maverick Creek wind project of Roaring Fork Wind, L.L.C., a joint venture between Renewable Energy Systems (RES) and Steelhead Americas.

Innovation & Technology

Innovating For Engagement

The use of virtual reality technology offers some key opportunities to improve social risk management on projects. First, enabling indigenous communities to visualize the future state of a project can enhance the “informed consultation process” between project sponsors and communities. Second, it helps shift indigenous communities from observers to more active participants – technically and spiritually – in how the project will impact their long-term, sustainable development. Finally, it can be a mechanism to help new workers joining the project to more effectively understand how the construction can affect the socio-political, cultural and environmental context of the impacted indigenous communities.

Research, Reports & Publications

Valvoline Releases Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report, ‘Powered by People’

Valvoline Inc. (NYSE: VVV), a leading worldwide supplier of premium branded lubricants and automotive services, today released its 2018 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report. The foundational pillars of corporate social responsibility at Valvoline™ continue to center on its “People, Product and Planet” approach with a strategic focus on achieving continual improvement in citizenship, sustainability, and diversity and inclusion.

“From efforts to minimize environmental impacts, to actions that make our communities better, our success is powered by Valvoline team members around the globe,” CEO Sam Mitchell said. “We are proud to feature their hard work and innovative thinking in this year’s CSR report.”

Research, Reports & Publications

AEP Releases 2019 Corporate Accountability Report

American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP) has issued its 2019 Corporate Accountability Report, an annual assessment of its performance as a public company and a community partner. This is the 13th year AEP has released the report, which details its developments in energy and technology, social responsibility, community investments and environmental stewardship.

The report’s theme, “Innovating for a Boundless Energy Future,” mirrors AEP’s efforts to embrace technology and digitization to deliver clean, reliable energy to its customers and value to its shareholders, while also being a positive force in the communities it serves.

Energy

Developer of Leading-edge Wind Energy Technology Joins Black & Veatch

The UK government has just thrown down the gauntlet to the wind energy sector: deliver more than 30 gigawatts (GW) of capacity by 2030. The appointment of Dr Peter Clive as Black & Veatch’s Principal Renewable Wind Energy Consultant, will help the company’s clients rise to this challenge.

Health & Healthcare

Well Living Lab Introduces New Alliance Member Program

The Well Living Lab today announced a new alliance member program for organizations to demonstrate their commitment to transforming health and well-being in the indoor environment.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Breaking the Gridlock on Human Trafficking

Human trafficking affects more than 20 million people globally - with more than 120,000 vehicles on the road, UPS is training drivers to notice and report this crime that is often hidden in plain sight on America’s roadways.

Events, Media & Communications

Register for the June 7th Collective Impact Conference in Washington, D.C.

Is your organization committed to creating greater social impact through workplace giving, corporate citizenship, CSR, and employee giving and engagement programs?

Register for FREE by May 22nd and join us at the Collective Impact Conference in Washington, D.C. on June 7th!

Offering an innovative, safe space for cross-sector collaboration, the Collective Impact Conference will allow participants to explore ways to engage in the business of giving back through workplace giving, employee engagement, and related areas of philanthropy.

Research, Reports & Publications

TD Releases First Standalone Environmental, Social and Governance Report

In a world of rapidly accelerating change and shifting customer expectations, TD believes that it is incumbent on organizations to reimagine responsible business practices to ensure they are helping to make a positive impact on the communities where they do business.

Education

Consumers Energy Powers Future STEM Careers by Inspiring Students through Robotics Programs

This year’s season is over for high school robotics teams across Michigan, but Consumers Energy is still bringing the energy to their cause.

Consumers Energy sponsored last month’s FIRST Championship for high school teams in Detroit. Why? Because we feel we can’t do enough to promote this fun and life-changing program in schools. Our charitable foundation last year contributed more than $450,000 to support STEM programs, including FIRST teams across the state, because we see the need for students to fill demanding jobs with our company and others in Michigan.

Environment

Ecocentricity Blog: Econ 101

We need to understand both microeconomic sustainability (what it takes for a single business, like Interface, to become sustainable) and macroeconomic sustainability (what a sustainable economic system would look like).

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Smithfield Foods Contributes $250,000 to Richmond Afterschool Youth Learning Program

The Smithfield Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Smithfield Foods, Inc., has donated $250,000 to NextUp RVA, an afterschool system for middle school students in Richmond, Virginia which serves to support academic and social development in students through hands-on learning activities. This is the third year the company has contributed to NextUp RVA, and funding for this year will focus on the program’s Sports and Wellness track. Smithfield’s substantial contribution to NextUp RVA is part of the company’s recently announced charitable grant program that aims to address the unique needs of Smithfield’s local communities.

Environment

AEG Joins UN Sports for Climate Action Framework

AEG, the world’s leading sports and live entertainment company, today announced its pledge to support the United Nation’s (UN) Sports for Climate Action Framework (Framework).

Environment

Walmart on Track to Reduce 1 Billion Metric Tons of Emission From Global Supply Chains by 2030

Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) today issued its inaugural Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report, which details the company’s goals, progress and achievements for fiscal year 2019 toward its commitment to increase economic opportunity for associates and local communities, build sustainability in supply chains and activate climate change initiatives.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

FCA US Earns Spot on DiversityInc’s 2019 Lists of “Noteworthy Companies for Diversity” and “Top Companies for Veterans”

The editors of DiversityInc magazine have named FCA US LLC to the magazine's 2019 list of "Noteworthy Companies for Diversity" and to the specialty list of “Top Companies for Veterans.”

This is the 11th year the Company has earned a place among the magazine’s top 50 or most noteworthy companies for diversity since the benchmarks were established in 2001. It is the third consecutive year that FCA US earned a position on the magazine’s top companies for veterans list, which was established in 2017.

Innovation & Technology

Podcast: Combining Technology & Creativity…for Social Good

Technology can help humanity achieve sustainable positive social change at scale. According to emergent technology expert Sally Eaves, however, it’s not just the technology: It’s how we choose to use it. On this episode, Sally shares how she is working to bring about the convergence of humanity, technology, creativity and education. Her work with underserved populations around the world is truly inspiring, as is her vision for the future of tech.

Environment

Inogen Member Spotlight--Subba Rao, Chola MS Risk Services

Subba Rao, Inogen member from India, discusses new/emerging EHS regulations and how EHS has become a challenging but exciting field to be in.

Media & Communications

Trump Administration Continues Attempts to Unravel US Environmental Protections Put in Place Over Many Years – Now, Shareholder Proxy Resolution Actions on Climate Issues Also in Focus for Investors

We should not have been surprised: in 2016 presidential candidate Donald Trump promised that among his first steps when in the Oval Office would be the tearing up of his predecessor’s commitment to join the family of nations in addressing climate change challenges. In 2015 in Paris, with almost 200 nations in agreement, the United States of America with President Barack Obama presiding signed on to the “Paris Agreement” (or Accord) for nations and private, public and social sector organization to work to prevent further damage to the planet.

Research, Reports & Publications

U.S. Geological Survey Measures Water Levels near Nestlé Waters North America Spring Site in Osceola Township, Michigan

At the request of Nestlé Waters North America (NWNA), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has begun monitoring, collecting, and publishing surface water and groundwater data near NWNA’s White Pine Springs site in Osceola Township, Michigan. The USGS is conducting the data collection through a joint funding agreement with NWNA and is being coordinated by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). The White Pine Springs site is one of the spring sources used to produce NWNA’s Ice Mountain® Brand 100% Natural Spring Water.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Building A Stronger Community Food System in North Minneapolis

General Mills is committed to ensuring our hometown communities are food secure by supporting vibrant community food systems. That’s why we partnered with Greater Twin Cities United Way to launch the Full Lives Program, which supports a healthy and equitable community food system by increasing food access in North Minneapolis. A $1 million philanthropic grant from the General Mills Foundation enabled 14 projects across 11 organizations to increase the strength of the North Minneapolis community food system as a whole.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Part II: How Billionaire Greed Ruined a Perfectly Good Strategy Called Corporate Sustainability. 3 Possible Pathways Forward

In Part 1 of this essay I explored how billionaire greed disrupted the progress of corporate sustainability and ultimately our democracy. I explored how the “religion” of capitalism should never have been positioned by a corporate backed media, at the behest of the “elite”, to solve some our planet’s biggest environmental and social challenges.

Environment

Michael Mann: Agency and Urgency

Back in 1999, a team of scientists published a graphic depiction reconstructing northern hemisphere temperatures for the previous 1000 years. The steep increase from the 1900s on inspired the scientific community to give this visual a clever nickname: the hockey stick graph.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Child Patient Alexandra Raises $150 for Aflac Cancer Center

Alexandra is not only a brave patient—she's also a stellar saleswoman. The 10-year-old sold gum at $0.25 per piece and raised a whopping $150 for the Aflac Cancer Center! Yesterday, she handed over her check as staff came to cheer and support her, just as they have throughout her brain tumor battle. Thank you, Alexandra!

Events, Media & Communications

Leading Utilities’ CEOs Present Long-Term Plans to Investors at 7th CEO Investor Forum

CECP’s Strategic Investor Initiative (SII) hosts the seventh CEO Investor Forum in Chicago, with long-term plan presentations by the CEOs of American Electric Power (AEP) and Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) to institutional investors. The event will also feature an Executive Workshop for investor relations, corporate social responsibility, and sustainability professionals to strategize together on the development of long-term investor facing plans at their companies. Previous CEO Investor Forums have featured the CEOs of nearly 30 companies, such as Allstate, IBM, Unilever, and Voya Financial.

Responsible Production & Consumption

U.S. Shortfin Squid Fishery Achieves MSC Certification

The U.S. Northeast Northern Shortfin Squid fishery in the Northwest Atlantic has been certified sustainable against the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) fisheries standard. The assessment was executed by independent conformity assessment body SCS Global Services and requested by Lund’s Fisheries, Inc. and The Town Dock.

Latest Campaigns

  1. Investing in our Communities
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    Cascale organizes and participates in a series of events, leveraging its position as a global convener of close to half the sector to bring together...
  3. CARE News & Stories
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  4. Innovation & Sustainable Solutions
    Chemours chemistry is essential to our daily lives, global commerce, and the future. Our commitment to product sustainability drives us to innovate...
  5. Policy
    Ceres is the leading organizer of investor and company support for climate and clean energy policies in the U.S. By making the economic case for...
  6. Corporate Social Responsibility
    Corporate Social Responsibility
  7. Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG)
    The business landscape is reorienting itself and you can almost hear priorities shifting toward change-readiness and the bigger picture. And in this...
  8. Policy and Regulation
    Cascale shares insights regarding policy and regulation impacting the consumer goods industry, and highlights how it's supporting members prepare for...
  9. ESG Talk: Season Three
    The ESG Talk podcast features candid conversations with business leaders from around the world. In season three, co-hosts Mandi McReynolds, Steve...
  10. Aflac Stories
    Get a closer look at the people, products and stories that make Aflac the company we know today.
  11. KeyBank's Community Investment
    In states where Key has a presence, there are approximately 1.7 million low- to moderate-income (LMI) households. Many LMI individuals don’t have bank...
  12. Advancing Sustainable Development Goals
    SUMMARY: SCS is working to empower companies, NGOs, institutions and government agencies around the globe meet the United Nation's Sustainable...
  13. State Policy
    It is imperative that states maintain and expand policies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting clean energy solutions. Strong...
  14. Integrity and Trust
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