ESG News from Leading Brands

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Live from Davos: CDP and Corporate Knights Highlight Global Sustainability Leaders

Jan 28, 2019 2:05 PM ET

On Tuesday of last week, both CDP and Corporate Knights announced the results of their 2018 assessment of thousands of global companies in the areas of climate change (CDP) and the broader topic of sustainability (Corporate Knights). For 2018, Cisco again made CDP’s “A-List,” along with 125 other companies out of almost 7,000 that reported carbon data. Cisco has reported to CDP every year of its existence, receiving more awards from CDP for our climate change submittals than any other company. We’ve included a table in our 2018 CSR Report (p. 124) summarizing our results.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

From Davos: Terracycle Accelerates Circular Economy With Reusable Packaging

Jan 28, 2019 2:00 PM ET

At the World Economic Forum in Davos last week, one company has announced a transformational innovation and has enlisted the help of some of the world’s largest companies to bring it to life.

Environment

Las Vegas Sands Retains A List Position by CDP and Discusses the Importance of Transparency About Environmental Performance

Jan 28, 2019 1:05 PM ET

Las Vegas Sands was recently recognized on the Climate Change and Water A List by CDP, the international nonprofit environmental disclosure platform. The company has participated in CDP disclosure since 2012, beginning with reporting on climate change initiatives and performance. The disclosure put transparency to our environmental performance, relying on a structured well-recognized framework. We have chosen CDP platform because it is the best for carbon disclosures and its questionnaire offers guidance and ideas on how to adjust our measurements, goals, disclosures and new initiatives for upcoming years.

Media & Communications

From Sustainable Brands: A Prominent IT Professional’s Outlook on 2019 – “Year of Sustainability”, Empowered by Technology & Innovation

Jan 28, 2019 12:30 PM ET

Is 2019 going to be “The Year of Sustainability”? Greatly empowered by technology? With exciting innovation on the business front? One European-based writer (Carmen Ene, CEO of 3 STEP IT in Helsinki, Finland) thinks so. Writing for Sustainable Brands® SB/The Bridge to Better Brands, she outlines what she sees as the top sustainability issues for corporate leaders in 2019 -- and offers advice on how to address them.

Events, Media & Communications

AmerisourceBergen, APTIV PLC, Equinix, JetBlue Airways, and Nestlé S.A. Present Long-Term Plans to Investors at Sixth CEO Investor Forum

Jan 28, 2019 12:00 PM ET

CECP’s Strategic Investor Initiative (SII) announced that the CEOs of AmerisourceBergen, APTIV PLC, Equinix, JetBlue Airways, and Nestlé S.A. will present their company’s long-term plans to institutional investors at the CEO Investor Forum on February 25, 2019 in New York City. The presentations will follow a keynote panel discussion on megatrends with the CEOs of Medtronic and Siemens US, and the former CEO of Aetna, moderated by the CEO of Johnson & Johnson.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Xylem Delivers Relief to Victims of Hurricane Florence

Jan 28, 2019 12:00 PM ET

In preparation of the storm, the local Xylem Commercial Team deployed dewatering pumps and equipment to its customers to help them withstand the weather and protect critical infrastructure to mitigate the negative impacts of the storm. In addition, Xylem supported key nonprofit partners Mercy Corps and Team Rubicon, which deploys military veterans to respond to natural disasters alongside first responders. After the hurricane, Xylem led a campaign to send relief items such as lanterns, solar chargers, food, and water to those in need. Additionally, a Xylem employee donation drive, in partnership with iHeart Radio in Atlanta, collected and delivered cases of bottled water to hurricane victims.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Comerica: Developing a Budget

Jan 28, 2019 11:30 AM ET

It’s a new year and at the top of your resolutions list should be to develop a budget and stick with it all year. One of the best ways to reach personal financial success is by developing a budget, which allows you to see exactly what you have, what you spend and where there is room for saving.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

VMware Named As One of 2019's Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World

Jan 28, 2019 10:20 AM ET

VMware was named as one of “2019’s Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World.” The Global 100 ranks large corporations on their performance of reducing carbon and waste, gender diversity among leadership, revenues derived from clean products, and overall sustainability.

Education

FCA US Launches Student Loan Refinancing Benefit with CommonBond for Business™ to Help Employees Tackle Student Debt

Jan 28, 2019 10:15 AM ET

FCA US announced today that it has added a student loan refinancing program to its package of benefits offered to salaried employees. The program is being offered in partnership with CommonBond For Business, the student loan benefits platform from financial technology company CommonBond. FCA US salaried employees with student loan debt, as well as employees with federal government-backed Parent PLUS loans, are now eligible to refinance these loans through the program with preferred terms.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Schneider Electric Named One of the Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies for 2019

Jan 28, 2019 10:15 AM ET

Schneider Electric, the leader in digital transformation of energy management and automation, has been included in the World’s Most Admired Companies, according to the 2019 list published by Fortune. This year, the company ranks fifth in the electronics industry, maintaining its strong position from 2018. The achievement reflects its growing reputation as an all-round achiever in its industry, pursuing innovation with a strong focus on sustainability and inclusion for all.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Johnson & Johnson Among FORTUNE Magazine's 2019 'World's Most Admired Companies'

Jan 28, 2019 10:10 AM ET

Environment

The Simple Idea That Could be the Answer to our Plastic Problem: Reusable Packaging

Jan 28, 2019 10:05 AM ET

Part of the magic of Loop is reusable packaging, designed in partnership with the brand owners to be not just durable, but "counter-worthy" — attractive enough to keep in plain view, in the words of Virginie Helias, vice president and chief sustainability officer at Procter & Gamble. "You want to show it to your friends." But, she adds, the appeal is not just aesthetic: "It's also the fact that it's a better premium experience for people."

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

KeyBank Finances $50.4 Million for the Construction of Multifamily Affordable Housing in Boulder, CO

Jan 28, 2019 10:00 AM ET

KeyBank announced today $50.4 million in total combined financing for a tax-exempt bond transaction to support Koelbel & Company’s construction of Diagonal Crossing. Diagonal Crossing is a 105-unit garden-style apartment community that is income-restricted for families earning at or below 60% AMI in Boulder, CO.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Bruins to Host 3rd Annual BFit First Responder Challenge

Jan 28, 2019 10:00 AM ET

The Boston Bruins and the Boston Bruins Foundation announced today that the Third Annual BFit First Responder Challenge powered by National Grid will take place Sunday, January 27, 2019 at TD Garden, starting at 9:00 a.m. This one of a kind event invites first responders from all over New England to participate in a course throughout TD Garden.

Sustainable Development Goals

The SDGs Drive Innovation in the Energy and Infrastructure Sectors: Saipem Shows How

Jan 28, 2019 10:00 AM ET

Adopted in 2015, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) put forth a roadmap for addressing the world’s most pressing social, environmental and economic challenges by 2030. Unlike their predecessors, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the SDGs explicitly call on business to play a role in tackling global challenges like access to energy and clean water.

Environment

Sculpting a Future for E-Waste

Jan 28, 2019 9:45 AM ET

Teenage artist Zayd Menk believes that in a perfect world, there’d be no waste.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Support for Sustainable Investment Decisions

Jan 28, 2019 9:05 AM ET

We’ve seen sustainability move from buzzword to business imperative as people, companies and governments increasingly seek to make environmentally and socially conscious investments.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

'Giving Back' Can Build Stronger Customer Ties

Jan 28, 2019 9:00 AM ET

Say the words “corporate social responsibility,” or CSR, and what may come to mind are multinational corporations taking action on global issues like climate change or public health. While that is certainly part of what is happening under the larger CSR umbrella today, businesses of all sizes are increasingly embracing good corporate citizenship as part of their standard operating procedure and discovering ways to do good within their own communities and professional networks.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Paradise Not Lost: Wells Fargo Grant Helps California Communities Rebuild After Camp Fire

Jan 28, 2019 9:00 AM ET

Six years after opening his auto repair shop in Paradise, California, Brad Jenks II felt like life was good. Business was steady, and he and his wife Julie could clearly see a future with fewer long hours and more family vacations.

Then the Camp Fire roared into town and tore through Northern California. Visit Wells Fargo Stories to watch the video.: https://stories.wf.com/paradise-not-lost-wells-fargo-grant-helps-california-communities-rebuild-camp-fire.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

What Larry Fink’s 2019 Letter Means for the Future of Business

Jan 28, 2019 9:00 AM ET

Here are our four main takeaways from this year's letter from BlackRock's Larry Fink to CEOs.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Deloitte Podcast: Episode 3: Learning in the Flow of Work

Jan 28, 2019 8:50 AM ET

It may be time to rethink everything you thought you knew about corporate learning.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

U.S. Conference of Mayors, Wells Fargo Announce 2019 CommunityWINS® Grant Program

Jan 28, 2019 8:30 AM ET

The U.S. Conference of Mayors and Wells Fargo today announced the 2019 CommunityWINS® grant program, aimed at accelerating neighborhood revitalization, economic development and job creation in municipalities across the U.S.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Timberland, Journeys, and the Student Conservation Association Take Urban Greening to Los Angeles

Jan 28, 2019 8:30 AM ET

On the third and final stop of Timberland’s three-city 2018 urban greening tour, close to 100 volunteers transformed a vacant lot in Los Angeles into a resident-driven urban farm to benefit the local homeless population. Volunteers from Timberland, Journeys, members of the local community and the Student Conservation Association joined efforts to bring green space to this urban area.

Responsible Production & Consumption

How General Mills Sustainably Sources Food Ingredients From Around the World

Jan 28, 2019 8:00 AM ET

To produce enough food to feed an increasingly hungry world, we must take care of the people who are raising the crops as well as the land, water and air needed for them to thrive. As a global food company that relies on ingredients from around the world, we pay careful attention to the impact of agriculture on our environment and the ability of farmers to be successful.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

It’s Time to Take Control of Your Data: 3 Easy Ways to Own Your Online Presence

Jan 28, 2019 8:00 AM ET

You might be asking yourself what ‘taking control of your data’ really means or why it’s important. As the COO of Norton LifeLock, I often hear “I’ve got nothing to hide on my phone” and “I don’t care who sees my browser history.” I quickly point to the 143 million Americans who were affected by cybercrime in 2017; that’s more than half of the U.S. adult online population.