ESG News from Leading Brands

Energy

Duke Energy: Cleaner Energy Mix Can Be Affordable, Too

Apr 29, 2019 5:35 PM ET

Duke Energy continues to generate cleaner energy at prices below the national average for its 7.7 million residential, commercial and industrial customers.

Innovation & Technology

How Federal Agencies Can Improve Online Experiences—Tips from Booz Allen

Apr 29, 2019 5:05 PM ET

Consumer brands from eBay to E*TRADE have raised the bar for online customer experiences, investing in disruptive innovations, and raising expectations for all digital experiences, including those delivered by government. As noted in the 2018 President’s Management Agenda, federal agencies need to keep up. But how can they do so with public sector budgets and under scrutiny? One place to start is technology that scales, yields high ROI, and fits into an agency’s overarching strategy, according to Booz Allen Senior Vice President Shannon Fitzgerald, who leads the firm’s Citizen Services business.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Bloomberg employees make a real impact — on Earth Day and every day

Apr 29, 2019 3:50 PM ET

At Bloomberg, sustainability considerations are integrated into everything we do – from the way we operate our business and develop our products to giving back to our communities.

In fact, many of our sustainable projects begin with an employee’s idea. No idea is too small or too big to rally for support. Whether it’s drinking from a re-usable water bottle or installing solar panels, our company is a place where smart sustainable ideas can be put into action.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Human Highlight: Art Formas, Sales Director

Apr 29, 2019 3:25 PM ET

February 15th, 2019 marked our Sales Director Art Formas’ 41st anniversary in the energy industry. Well before we became known as NRG, Art worked for our predecessor, Houston Lighting and Power Company, as a Power Consultant—one of seven job titles he’s held in the industry to date.

Education

Meet David Hansen, Executive Director of Global Statistical Programming at Amgen

Apr 29, 2019 2:45 PM ET

For David Hansen, learning how to work with others has been his single greatest asset in navigating a technical career. Now Executive Director of Global Statistical Programming at Amgen, he reflects on a career that started in math and science but has evolved to include program management and collaborating across disciplines to bring life-saving medicine to people around the world. He spoke with ABE about this path and advice he has to students.

Research, Reports & Publications

PayPal’s 2018 Global Impact Report

Apr 29, 2019 2:30 PM ET

At PayPal, we are focused on creating inclusive economic opportunities for as many people and as many businesses as possible. We strive to create a world where everyone has access to the tools, resources, and opportunities they need to improve their financial health and participate in the global economy. To fulfill our mission, we work to maximize the positive impact of our business and to be a responsible, transparent, and sustainable corporate citizen on behalf of all of our stakeholders. And, we take these commitments seriously.

Environment

ANGEL'S ENVY® Supports the Future of Bourbon Through White Oak Preservation

Apr 29, 2019 1:45 PM ET

ANGEL'S ENVY, the Louisville-based craft distiller that produces small batch, hand-finished whiskeys, wants to help ensure that forests of oak trees will stand tall for future generations.

This month, the team took to Daniel Boone National Forest to begin planting 20,724 trees – a commitment generated last September during National Bourbon Month as part of the brand’s annual Toast the Trees campaign.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Yaroslavl Becomes the First Eastern European City to Join Retail Revival

Apr 29, 2019 1:05 PM ET

Yaroslavl is an ancient Russian city standing on the legendary Volga River in the country’s northern region. The city boasts more than 1,000 years of history. With access to several major highways, railways and waterways, Yaroslavl has become an important industrial center in Eastern Europe. Today, entrepreneurs in Yaroslavl are working to make its unique offerings better known on a global stage. Together with the Center of Entrepreneurship Support, eBay is helping small-to-medium business owners in Yaroslavl learn to sell online.

Education

Smithfield Foods Makes Sizable Donation to Support STEAM Education in Rural Communities

Apr 29, 2019 12:15 PM ET

The Smithfield Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Smithfield Foods, Inc., announced today a $350,000 donation to FUSE Studios, a high-quality and results-driven educational program piloted through Northwestern University that aims to transform science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) learning in schools across America. Smithfield’s substantial contribution to FUSE is part of the company’s recently announced charitable grant program that aims to address the unique needs of Smithfield’s local communities. The company’s donation will support 20 new FUSE Studios in participating school districts throughout the Midwest and North Carolina beginning in Fall 2020.

Energy

Energy Is No Longer A Cost Center: How Executives Can Use Efficiency to Future-Proof Business

Apr 29, 2019 12:10 PM ET

Already, 93 percent of global commercial and industrial companies have energy efficiency technologies in place. Meanwhile, adoption of combined heat and power (CHP) systems and battery storage increased at a similar rate to renewables: up 11 percent in 2019 from the previous year. These companies realize emissions are inextricably linked to energy consumption, which can be a major contributor to net corporate expenditure and a hurdle for low-carbon growth. In fact, a recent International Energy Agency study shows that efficiency improvements can yield up to 13.8 percent growth in annual profits.

Media & Communications

Environmental Threats to Us and Mother Earth --- Seven Trends to Consider…and Develop Solutions From the Forum for the Future

Apr 29, 2019 12:00 PM ET

This week we celebrated Earth Day. That first (1970) observance became a catalyst for action – soon after the first of a series of environmental-focused Federal legislation began to change dirty air to cleaner and then clean, and more laws to address a very unhealthy state of affairs in the U.S.A. (The Environmental Act, Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, RCRA, etc.). But…the challenges for society have not gone away. The list of “hot ESG issues” grows by the week.

Research, Reports & Publications

Hunger, Help, and Hope: Albertsons Companies Highlights Food and Financial Outreach and Releases Community Impact Report for Foundation Giving

Apr 29, 2019 12:00 PM ET

Albertsons Companies and Albertsons Companies Foundation today announced the results of a wide-ranging donation and community involvement effort to effect change in the neighborhoods they serve. Through the hard work of its employees and generosity of its customers, the nation’s

Diversity & Inclusion

HP's Sustainable Impact: HOPE Program

Apr 29, 2019 12:00 PM ET

HOPE is one of the D&I initiatives in China. HOPE stands for Opportunity & Equality program, provides development and practice opportunities for people with disabilities, or different-ability.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

EPA Recognizes GM for Green Power Leadership

Apr 29, 2019 12:00 PM ET

General Motors has earned a spot on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s National Top 100 List of the largest green power users from the Green Power Partnership. Ranked No. 29, GM is the only automotive company on this list. GM is also No. 6 on the GPP’s Top On-Site Generation list and No. 14 on EPA’s list of Green Power Partners from the Fortune 500®.

Environment

How Local Municipalities May Be Passing Ordinances That Could Cost Your Railroad Money

Apr 29, 2019 11:55 AM ET

Railroads can protect themselves from exorbitant stormwater fee ordinances that are being considered by local municipalities.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

National Park Waste Reduction Efforts Receive $2.1 Million Donation From 2018 Subaru Share the Love® Event

Apr 29, 2019 11:50 AM ET

The National Park Foundation has announced that Subaru raised $2.1 million for national parks through its 2018 Subaru Share the Love® Event. This donation enables the National Park Foundation to support waste reduction efforts and enhance public awareness and engagement across our National Park System.

Events, Media & Communications

Conversations with Consequence: Metrics and Sustainability at Innovation Forum Detroit

Apr 29, 2019 11:30 AM ET

Social Impact & Volunteering

Bringing the Value of Partnership to Life

Apr 29, 2019 11:15 AM ET

Last year, Comcast NBCUniversal helped Easterseals of Southeastern Pennsylvania create four makerspaces for our service centers in the Philadelphia area. Makerspaces provide 3D printers, materials and templates that enable staff and families to print solutions to every day challenges – making the world more accessible one switch, adaptive tool, or toy at a time!

Environment

Can What We Buy Help Save Forests?

Apr 29, 2019 10:25 AM ET

Innovation & Technology

Rewarding Careers for Women in Tech

Apr 29, 2019 10:15 AM ET

Unicorn Author and web developer Acacia Carr shares her journey as a self-employed web developer as well as highlights rewarding careers for women in tech

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Alliance Data and Roadrunner Food Bank: Transforming Data Through Technology

Apr 29, 2019 9:20 AM ET

Alliance Data expanded its partnership with Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico through a significant data-for-good investment that will revolutionize the way the food bank operates and serves its clients. Almost 16 percent of the diverse New Mexico population is food insecure. Roadrunner serves all 33 New Mexican counties across the state—with the majority of people living in rural areas—making it increasingly difficult to distribute food to those in need.

Research, Reports & Publications

Why 2019 Is the Year of Stakeholder Trust

Apr 29, 2019 9:00 AM ET

In 2019, the question of how to build and retain stakeholder trust—among investors, regulators, customers, suppliers, civil society organizations, and the general public—is the most pressing challenge facing business.

Environment

Interview With Rob Ivanovic, SCADA Systems Expert

Apr 29, 2019 9:00 AM ET

Rob Ivanovic is a senior engineering project manager with 20 years of experience in water treatment, wastewater treatment, and water distribution involving SCADA and DCS planning, design, programming, implementation, and testing. He has managed numerous engineering, construction, configuration, and start-up projects. His expertise includes identifying stakeholders, defining scope management plans with cost and labor baseline estimates, scheduling and coordinating project activities, planning risk management, tracking work progress, forecasting labor requirements, and producing compliance reports.

Research, Reports & Publications

Focus on Gas and Petrochemicals in the Transition to Low Carbon Future

Apr 29, 2019 9:00 AM ET

On April 18, 2019, OMV, the international integrated oil and gas company based in Vienna, published its 14th Sustainability Report. The OMV Sustainability Report provides a detailed overview of the company's sustainability performance, along with its activities, achievements and challenges.

Environment

Fisk Johnson Raises Awareness of Deforestation, Continuing Longstanding Commitment to Global Forest Protection

Apr 29, 2019 8:45 AM ET

Forest protection has been a focus for SC Johnson for generations. Now, the company's Chairman and CEO, Fisk Johnson, is shining a spotlight on the topic in his ongoing effort to raise awareness of global environmental issues like deforestation and ocean plastic.