ESG News from Leading Brands

Environment

Campuses of the Future? PepsiCo Recycling Funds Green Initiatives at 27 U.S. Schools - Imagined, Designed and Executed by Students

Apr 18, 2019 3:00 PM ET

PepsiCo Recycling is excited to announce the 27 colleges and universities set to earn funding for campus sustainability initiatives in the 2018-19 school year through the Zero Impact Fund. Among the most unique projects in this year's winning group include entries from Georgia College & State University, UNC Charlotte, Furman University, Centre College, Otterbein University, and Ohio University.

Green Infrastructure

Does the City of the Future Mean Fewer Cars?

Apr 18, 2019 3:00 PM ET

Research, Reports & Publications

WEC Energy Group Report Details Pathway to Cleaner Energy Future

Apr 18, 2019 3:00 PM ET

Milwaukee – WEC Energy Group unveiled a report on the company’s strategy to reduce costs to customers, preserve fuel diversity and reduce carbon emissions through changes to its generation fleet.

The report – “Pathway to a Cleaner Energy Future” – illustrates the approach WEC Energy Group is taking to reduce emissions and presents a wide-ranging analysis of factors that will help shape future decision-making.

“At this pivotal time in the energy industry, we have made it a priority to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining a reliable, resilient and cost-effective energy system for our customers,” said Gale Klappa, executive chairman – WEC Energy Group.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Keep America Beautiful Opens Application for 2019–2020 National Youth Advisory Council

Apr 18, 2019 2:45 PM ET

Keep America Beautiful®, the nation’s leading community improvement nonprofit organization, is accepting applications for its 2019-2020 National Youth Advisory Council through July 8, 2019.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Comerica Bank Shred Day Houston Provides Event Record 60,036 Meals for Less Fortunate

Apr 18, 2019 2:25 PM ET

Fifteen hundred Shred Day Houston guests donated 4,881 pounds of food and $18,656 in monetary donations, including a $7,500 contribution from Comerica Bank, to the Houston Food Bank, which helped provide an event record 60,036 meals for those in need.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Merck Earns 2019 Energy Star Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award​

Apr 18, 2019 2:00 PM ET

Merck is proud to announce that it received the 2019 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award for continued leadership and superior contributions to ENERGY STAR. Merck has been named a Partner of the Year for 14 years in a row, and in Sustained Excellence for

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

“RI Tech and Innovation Report”— Big Win at SXSW by Sproutel, Slater and More

Apr 18, 2019 1:10 PM ET

Not only did Sproutel take home the top award in the Robotics and Hardware category at the 22nd annual SXSW Interactive Innovation Awards Presented by KPMG, but the company—along with their co-creators—also took home the people’s choice award for the My Special Aflac Duck, a “comforting companion” for children with cancer. “I’m so very proud of our team for both awards, and they represent very different achievements,” said Aaron Horowitz, co-founder and CEO.

Sustainable Development Goals

Business Call to Action Public Eye Q&A Series: Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Apr 18, 2019 1:05 PM ET

Interview with Hans Docter, Director Sustainable Economic Development, Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Education

The New Normal: The Fourth Industrial Revolution’s Demand for Perpetual Learning

Apr 18, 2019 1:00 PM ET

The world is changing. The Fourth Industrial Revolution is here, and it is having an impact on everything, including the future of work. A significant evolution of the labour market is forecast over the next 10 years, and we do not fully know all the jobs of the future.
Given the hyper transformation of technology, business models and work, it is important to understand and anticipate what this means for youth, society, businesses and government, so that everyone has an opportunity to participate in the digital economy. Now more than ever, we need to invest in a new paradigm in the way we acquire the skills needed for jobs – a model that allows for perpetual, renewable skills development.

Health & Healthcare

Disney Team of Heroes Debuts Innovative Experiences at Texas Children’s Hospital

Apr 18, 2019 12:50 PM ET

Just over 12 months since Bob Iger, Chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company, announced a bold $100 million commitment to support children’s hospitals around the world, leaders from Disney and Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, Texas, debuted a suite of experiences, murals and interactive art aimed at providing comfort and inspiration for children and families.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

PNC Named Among the HRC’s Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality for the Sixth Consecutive Year

Apr 18, 2019 12:45 PM ET

For the sixth consecutive year, PNC has been named among the HRC’s Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality. Our score of 100 percent on the Corporate Equality Index, the national benchmarking tool for corporate policies and practices pertinent to LGBTQ employees, reflects our commitment to our LGBTQ employees and their families.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Employee Volunteers From Hallmark Canada Prepped Meals for Families at Ronald McDonald House

Apr 18, 2019 12:45 PM ET

n 2017, Canadian Hallmark employees participated in the “Home for Dinner” program in support of the Ronald McDonald House in Toronto. The employees provided volunteers and funds to prepare and pay for a dinner, which fed 130 family members. In all, the dinner donation totaled $1,500, with an additional monetary donation of $4,700 given to the Ronald McDonald House.

Media & Communications

Survey Results: Global Institutional Investors With US$8.4 Trillion in AUM Confirm The Rising Value of Corporate ESG Principles

Apr 18, 2019 12:45 PM ET

The FTI Consulting business advisory firm surveyed a set of 130 global institutional investors to gauge the depth and breadth of U.S. assets invested using ESG principles. This group of investors, contacted from May through July 2018, responded that their Assets Under Management totaling US$8.4 trillion was believed to have benefitted by the contribution of extra [corporate] value to a company with a high ESG rating.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Leadership that Drives Results

Apr 18, 2019 12:15 PM ET

In a world where there are more men named ‘John’ than women of any name leading the 500 largest publicly traded corporations in the world, is there any wonder there would be enthusiasm around Skytop Strategies‘ ‘Gender Equality in the C-Suite & Boardroom’ conference?

Nearly 100 leaders from the private, social, and public sectors gathered at the Edelman offices in Chicago, IL on March 20 to discuss the issue, its importance to business, the puzzling lack of demand, and the extensive surplus of supply. More than 80 percent of attendees were women. The theme of inadequate representation persists.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Subaru of America Supports Shelter Pets During 2019 New York International Auto Show With Adoption Event

Apr 18, 2019 12:00 PM ET

Subaru of America, Inc. today announced it will be hosting a pet adoption event during the 2019 New York International Auto Show in partnership with the ASPCA® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®), based in New York City. The ASPCA is the longest-standing animal welfare organization in North America and serves as the nation’s leading voice for animals in crisis. Taking place at the Subaru exhibit on Level One inside the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, this first-of-its-kind event is aimed at finding homes for pets in the greater New York City area.

Sustainable Development Goals

Arbor Day Foundation Drives Green Infrastructure Projects with a $250,000 Grant From Bank of America

Apr 18, 2019 12:00 PM ET

The Arbor Day Foundation today announced a $250,000 grant from Bank of America to expand the tree canopy in urban communities and strengthen neighborhoods against the impacts of a changing climate.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

LA Galaxy Celebrate Earth Month With Students at Leapwood Avenue Elementary School

Apr 18, 2019 12:00 PM ET

In celebration of Earth Month and MLS WORKS Fourth Annual Green Goals of Service Week, AEG’s LA Galaxy spent the day rebuilding and expanding gardens with students at Leapwood Avenue Elementary School in Carson, Calif. on April 11.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

LG Electronics Honored by U.S. EPA as 2019 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year

Apr 18, 2019 11:30 AM ET

First recognized as ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year in 2012, LG is committed to developing the most innovative and energy efficient products that provide consumers with superior performance while lessening the impact on the planet.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

A Vision for Corporate Philanthropy From a Philadelphia Leader

Apr 18, 2019 11:15 AM ET

For a discussion on corporate social responsibility, who better to share insights than a leader from the company with the largest corporate philanthropic footprint in Philadelphia?

Environment

Sreeni Kota Joins Antea Group as Senior Consultant

Apr 18, 2019 11:10 AM ET

Sreeni Kota joins Antea Group with 20+ years of extensive environmental engineering experience in soil and groundwater remediation and more.

Environment

Timberland Kicks off Earth Day Season with Greening Event in Zhongshan China

Apr 18, 2019 11:00 AM ET

While associates at Timberland’s global headquarters in New Hampshire eagerly await the arrival of spring, employees in the brand’s Zhongshan, China production office got a head start on Earth Day by installing a colorful perennial bed at the Dongguan Botanical Garden in Guangdong, China. Tina Tong, a product developer in Timberland’s Zhongshan office, assembled a group of 67 volunteers to plant 3,000 perennials and shrubs, creating an inviting entrance for visitors to the park.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Lockheed Martin Chairman, President and CEO Marillyn Hewson Named One of TIME's 100 Most Influential People of 2019

Apr 18, 2019 11:00 AM ET

Former U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker penned Hewson’s TIME profile, writing, "Trained as an industrial engineer, and now, as CEO, in her 20th job at Lockheed Martin, she has doubled the company’s market cap and broken countless barriers in an industry long dominated by men.” Pritzker called Hewson a “person of integrity, vision” and “a living example of how business leaders can drive positive change in their companies and our communities when they take a long-term approach.”

Health & Healthcare

Caring for Care Providers: An Innovative Way to Help Address the Growing Crisis of Doctor and Nurse Burnout

Apr 18, 2019 10:45 AM ET

It’s been 13 years since Barbara Trattler last worked in a hospital, but she can still feel the stress of that job in her bones.

As a head surgical nurse and perioperative administrator for more than two decades, Trattler performed the operating room equivalent of air traffic control, managing schedules and staffing—duties that often followed her home, well after a long 10- to 12-hour workday.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Consumers Energy Provides $15,000 to Three Michigan Community Projects with ‘Put Your Town on the Map’ Competition

Apr 18, 2019 10:35 AM ET

Michigan communities in Huron, Ottawa and Kent counties are receiving a total of $15,000 for projects to energize local residents and attract statewide attention after winning Consumers Energy’s first “Put Your Town on the Map” competition. Port Austin received $7,500 for first place. Spring Lake received $5,000 as runner-up, and Sparta received $2,500. Also competing were projects in Greenville, Groveland Township, Pentwater, Quincy, Shelby, Stanton and West Branch.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

MilliporeSigma Employee Spotlight: Fabien Thibault

Apr 18, 2019 10:30 AM ET

As part of our brand-new employee spotlight series, we’re sitting down with Fabien Thibault, global manager of product and packaging sustainability at MilliporeSigma — the Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany — to learn more about the work he’s doing to move the needle.