ESG News from Leading Brands

Education

Meet Hamed Mirzaei, Ph.D., a Regional Medical Liaison in Oncology at Amgen

May 3, 2019 3:50 PM ET

While completing his Ph.D. in molecular biology and genetics at the University of South Florida, Hamed Mirzaei had a mission – to bring a fuller understanding of science to as many people as possible. Having previously designed and taught a course called “The Public Understanding of Science,” he sought to bring this message to a broader audience. In 2014, Hamed created a nonprofit foundation for arts and sciences—a platform where anyone in the community could hear from scientists, engineers, professors, and professional artists on a range of topics.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Providing Resources in Africa Requires Security in North Carolina

May 3, 2019 3:00 PM ET

Meet Africa Exchange, a North Carolina-based nonprofit that has been building an international coalition to solve community issues in East Africa since 1997. Africa Exchange strives to solve the most pressing issues facing the most marginalized within society, by identifying areas of need as expressed by local communities and working alongside community members to develop solutions to the problem.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Comcast NBCUniversal Celebrates 18th Annual Comcast Cares Day

May 3, 2019 2:50 PM ET

On Saturday, May 4th, more than 100,000 Comcast, NBCUniversal – and for the first time Sky – employees will come together with their friends, family members, and nonprofit partners to “make change happen” as part of the 18th annual Comcast Cares Day.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Booz Allen Receives Corporate Pride Award for Advancing LGBTQ Equality and Leadership

May 3, 2019 2:45 PM ET

In recognition of its programs, practices, and policies that advance LGBTQ equality and leadership in the workplace, Booz Allen has received an LGBTQ Business Leader Award at the Washington Business Journal’s 2019 Business of Pride Awards. The Washington Business Journal launched the awards last year to recognize Greater Washington companies and business leaders for outstanding practices in advancing LGBTQ leadership and equality. This year’s winners will be formally recognized June 13 at a cocktail awards reception at the Watergate Hotel.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

How an Insurance Company Made Childhood Cancer Its Philanthropic Focus

May 3, 2019 2:35 PM ET

Each year, more than 15,000 kids are diagnosed with cancer in the U.S. The average length of treatment is 1,000 days, many of which are spent in a hospital, enduring painful treatments in an unfamiliar setting. During this difficult period, children often struggle to voice how they're feeling — emotionally and physically. But thanks to a fuzzy, interactive friend, sharing those feelings is a little easier with the "My Special Aflac Duck" (MSAD). Part of Aflac’s ongoing Aflac Childhood Cancer Campaign and developed by Sproutel, the duck is a smart robotic companion that features naturalistic movements and interactive technology to help comfort children with cancer.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Better Data Will Lead the Way to a Sustainable Future

May 3, 2019 2:25 PM ET

Since our founding in 1981, Bloomberg has been guided by the principle that making markets more transparent empowers investors, fuels entrepreneurs and supports economic growth. As global warming begins to affect business, market transparency is more important than ever.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Michael B. Jordan Wins $100,000 for Feeding America as Honey Nut Cheerios' Good Rewards Comes to a Close

May 3, 2019 2:00 PM ET

Honey Nut Cheerios has crowned the winner of its first-ever Good Rewards program, with Michael B. Jordan claiming the top prize of $100,000 on behalf of Feeding America, the nation's largest domestic hunger relief organization leading the charge to help end hunger in our country. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) received $50,000, and the Gronk Nation Youth Foundation received $25,000 as the second and third place charity beneficiaries of Good Rewards.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Alliance Data Continues to be Recognized for Exceptional Customer Care

May 3, 2019 1:35 PM ET

Alliance Data’s card services business, a provider of market-leading private label, co-brand, and business card programs, continues to receive recognition for its commitment to exceptional customer care.

"Our care centers are critical components of creating meaningful moments for our customers so it's important to make sure we're equipping associates with training and top-notch resources to provide an exceptional customer experience," said Sallie Komitor, chief services officer for Alliance Data's card services business. "When a customer has a genuinely positive interaction with us, it reaffirms their commitment to their favorite brand and strengthens loyalty."

Environment

Their Vote and Their Jobs: Millennials’ New Tools for Climate Advocacy

May 3, 2019 1:35 PM ET

A new poll by CNN shows that climate change now ranks as the very top issue among Democratic voters – beating out historically popular issues like healthcare.

Engaging in climate advocacy is growing globally. And what I find to be especially interesting is the innovative approaches that people are taking to make their voices heard.

Research, Reports & Publications

Consumers Energy’s Sustainability Report Focuses on Triple Bottom Line Commitment to People, Planet, Michigan’s Prosperity

May 3, 2019 12:05 PM ET

At Consumers Energy, we’re passionate about making life in Michigan better today while keeping an eye on the future – ensuring this is a great place to live for the generations ahead.

Today, Consumers Energy released our annual Sustainability Report. The report offers insight into our company’s work to serve two-thirds of Michigan’s residents and our Triple Bottom Line commitment to people, the planet and Michigan’s prosperity.

Health & Healthcare

New Holland Agriculture Helps Myanmar Farmers Fight Malaria

May 3, 2019 12:05 PM ET

New Holland Agriculture, a brand of CNH Industrial (NYSE: CNHI /MI: CNHI), and its local distributor in Myanmar, Yoma Heavy Equipment (YHE), are partnering with M2030, a movement launched by the Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance (APLMA) to eliminate malaria in Asia by 2030.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Arbor Day Foundation Recognizes Duke Energy Florida As Tree Line USA Utility for 13th Consecutive Year

May 3, 2019 12:00 PM ET

For the 13th consecutive year, the Arbor Day Foundation has recognized Duke Energy Florida as a Tree Line USA utility, highlighting its efforts in tree care.

Research, Reports & Publications

Energy & Sustainability Goal Setting: Climate Action

May 3, 2019 11:30 AM ET

Launched in 2015, the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTI) champions science-based carbon reduction target setting.
Science-based targets (SBTs) specify how much and how quickly companies need to reduce GHG emissions to avoid a global
temperature increase when compared to pre-industrial levels. The SBTI framework is the most comprehensive and rigorous
available to companies seeking to rapidly decarbonize, and the SBTI also offers resources, workshops and guidance to reduce
barriers to sustainable action.

Education

Reimagining the Higher Education Ecosystem - JetBlue Scholars

May 3, 2019 11:15 AM ET

The US Department of Education’s Reimagining the Higher Education Ecosystem Challenge #EDU2030 Challenge set out to match big thinking with actionable projects. JetBlue and its employer-sponsored college degree program – JetBlue Scholars – was recently named a winner of this challenge. Last fall the US Department of Education called upon educators, students, policymakers, industry leaders, technology developers, and the public to develop bold ideas to reimagine what the higher education ecosystem will look like in 2030, and to identify concrete actions. These ideas would ensure all learners, regardless of background, could acquire the skills needed to find meaningful work and live fulfilling, economically stable lives.

Sustainable Development Goals

Construction Practices For A Sustainable Future

May 3, 2019 11:00 AM ET

The inputs into major projects are as important as the output. In other words, the “how” we build is as important as “what” we build. A full spectrum analysis of inputs like the materials, personnel, and equipment for a major project is an essential step toward identifying new opportunities to drive sustainability, reduce costs, and improve quality. The industry is already embracing innovation like design thinking, testing, and deploying enhanced processes and new technologies. For example, supply chain innovations such as 3-D printing or additive manufacturing could yield significant savings by reducing the need for excessive procurement of material and moving manufacturing on-site.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Freeport-McMoRan Foundation in Chile Equips Community Center in Ollagüe

May 3, 2019 11:00 AM ET

Minera El Abra, a subsidiary of Freeport-McMoRan, provided the nearby town of Ollagüe over $22,000 to furnish a community center with technological equipment, kitchenware and office furniture. This contribution will help facilitate meetings, training sessions and community gatherings.

Media & Communications

Open Call for GRI Standards Governance Bodies

May 3, 2019 9:30 AM ET

Nominations are being welcomed for membership of two governance bodies that are critical to the delivery of the GRI Standards - the Global Sustainability Standards Board and the Due Process Oversight Committee.

Energy

Mars, Incorporated Goes 100% Wind for All Mexican Operations

May 3, 2019 9:00 AM ET

Mars, Incorporated announced today that it will source all electricity for its Mexico operations from a new wind farm in Dzilam Bravo, Yucatan, moving the company’s energy consumption to 100 percent renewables in Mexico.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Recognizing and Honoring the Sacrifices of Firefighters

May 2, 2019 6:10 PM ET

Firefighters selflessly dedicate their time to protecting our lives and property, and sometimes they make the ultimate sacrifice while risking their lives to save others.

On May 4th – International Firefighters’ Day – we invite you to recognize and honor the sacrifices that firefighters make to ensure that their communities and environment are as safe as possible, and to thank current and past firefighters for their contributions.

Diversity & Inclusion

From Milking Cows to Research

May 2, 2019 5:30 PM ET

For this blog post, we reached out to Franciele Caixeta, who puts her agricultural knowledge growing up on a dairy farm to work as a research and development commodities coordinator at our Cambará, Brazil, plant where our Yoki brand of popcorn, tea, snack food and side dishes are produced.

Green Infrastructure

Living Building Challenge 4.0 Meets Market Demand for Increased Scalability and Accessibility

May 2, 2019 4:50 PM ET

The International Living Future Institute announced today the release of Living Building Challenge 4.0 (LBC 4.0), which meets demand from the marketplace for increased scale and accessibility. Google and King County committed to test the new standard in their construction, among others.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Rebuilding Communities and Restoring Hope: Sparking Opportunities for Learning in Puerto Rico

May 2, 2019 4:05 PM ET

Responsible Production & Consumption

By Any Measure: How Small Improvements Lead to Big Gains in Efficiency

May 2, 2019 3:50 PM ET

As agriculture has become more digital, what used to be measured in acres, bushels, gallons, and tons is now quantified on a considerably smaller scale—even down to individual raindrops. As a result, the conclusions we can draw from those detailed measurements have become more accurate and useful, helping farmers save money and reduce their environmental impact. Farmers have always accumulated knowledge by interacting with their fields, but today they are using data to deepen that understanding.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

P&G Releases Female-Focused Docs on Hulu

May 2, 2019 3:20 PM ET

Environment

What Science-Based Targets Mean for the Sports and Entertainment Sector

May 2, 2019 3:15 PM ET

“We consider it basic corporate responsibility,” John Marler, vice president of energy and environment at AEG, told TriplePundit. “If this is what the science community is calling for, we have to hit that level and we have to do our part.”