ESG News from Leading Brands

Events, Media & Communications

GRI’s Governance Bodies Welcome New Members in January 2019

Jan 25, 2019 9:15 AM ET

After a busy yet productive nomination process, the Global Reporting Initiative has announced the newest members to its different governance bodies. Together with the current members, they will help safeguard due process throughout the organization, and strengthen the multi-stakeholder approach that characterizes GRI through their expertise and experience.

Green Infrastructure

INFOGRAPHIC: 42 Years of Tree City USA

Jan 25, 2019 8:00 AM ET

With the support of our members and partners, the Tree City USA program has strengthened and sustained urban forests across the country. From the Gulf of Alaska to the Gulf Coast, more than 153 million Americans are living in Tree City USA towns and cities that pay particular attention to tree planting, management, and care.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Aligning Business Need & Community Impact | LBG Canada Company Spotlight

Jan 24, 2019 5:45 PM ET

As we begin 2019, LBG Canada spotlights the Cenovus Decision Making Criteria. A tool created to assist a geographically dispersed community investment team with decision-making consistency by clearly outlining and identifying characteristics of a community investment opportunity to ensure both community and business impact.

Health & Healthcare

The Rise of Science-Backed Subjective Well-Being

Jan 24, 2019 5:20 PM ET

Designers have long understood the inextricable relationship between buildings and the people inside of them, but the direct link to human health and well-being has only recently come to the fore. Not only does the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) provide a framework to design spaces for maximizing long, healthy lives, but it also creates an environment that emphasizes Subjective Well-being (SWB). This concept aims to improve people’s perceived quality of experience – their personal feelings – about themselves and how they relate to others. After all, it is quality and quantity of life that matters, right?

Social Impact & Volunteering

Comcast Cares Day is Just 100 Days Away

Jan 24, 2019 4:30 PM ET

Comcast NBCUniversal is committed to investing in causes for the long term, to make a lasting, tangible impact.

All year round we work with organizations like Boys & Girls Clubs, Big Brothers Big Sisters, City Year, the National Urban League, UnidosUS, Easterseals and The Arc to ensure we are addressing the real needs of individuals in our shared communities.

Comcast Cares Day is our company’s celebration of that commitment to giving back each and every day of the year. Since 2001, more than one million volunteers have rolled up their sleeves to revitalize neighborhoods and parks, assemble care packages for families in need, host coding workshops and more, all as part of Comcast Cares Day.

Education

Partners in Education of Toledo Receives $25,000 FCA Foundation Grant to Support Youth Literacy

Jan 24, 2019 3:00 PM ET

Recently, Partners in Education was awarded a $25,000 grant from the FCA Foundation, the charitable arm of North American automaker FCA US LLC. The grant will support youth literacy via the Mentors in Toledo Schools program.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Whole Planet Foundation Gives "Field Officer Award: Africa and the Middle East"

Jan 24, 2019 2:15 PM ET

To kick off 2019, The Whole Planet Foundation team would like to thank our network of microfinance institutions, the implementing partners who administer the microloans Whole Planet Foundation funds.

Health & Healthcare

New Year, New Healthy Habits: 4 Science-Backed Ways to Help Beat Stress in 2019

Jan 24, 2019 1:45 PM ET

Responsible Production & Consumption

Nestlé Joins TerraCycle as Founding Partner of Loop, Debuts Reusable Ice Cream Packaging

Jan 24, 2019 1:35 PM ET

Nestlé’s Häagen-Dazs brand today announced a new service in partnership with global recycling organization TerraCycle, that will provide a first-of-its-kind home delivery service to consumers called Loop. Loop will enable consumers to responsibly enjoy Häagen-Dazs and other household favorite foods and personal care products in customized, durable packaging that are collected, cleaned, refilled and re-used—all from the consumer’s front door step.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Duke Energy Employees Honor MLK’s Legacy Through Service

Jan 24, 2019 1:20 PM ET

On MLK Day of Service, hundreds of Duke Energy employees fanned out across our communities to serve others. Each year, thousands of people across the country spend the day serving their communities to carry on the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Social Impact & Volunteering

NONPROFITS: Tackle Your 2019 Goals With Expert Marketing, Strategy, and Tech Support From Taproot

Jan 24, 2019 12:25 PM ET

Join Taproot Foundation’s free webinar for nonprofits on Thursday, January 31 for all the tools you’ll need to tap into valuable marketing, HR, strategy, finance, and tech support. During the event, nonprofits will learn how to design and manage a successful pro bono project with Taproot’s pool of over 50,000 experienced business professionals on the free online platform, Taproot+.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Walmart Commits Funds to Feeding America, the Coast Guard Foundation and the United Way to Assist Those Affected by the Government Shutdown

Jan 24, 2019 12:10 PM ET

Walmart has committed $300,000 to support Feeding America’s Shutdown Response Fund, the United Way’s United for U.S. Fund and the Coast Guard Foundation, providing much-needed assistance to each of these organizations that are all experiencing an increase in demand for their services, particularly in areas hardest hit by the government shutdown.

Green Infrastructure

Declare Chemical Transparency Program Released in European Building Market

Jan 24, 2019 11:30 AM ET

The International Living Future Institute announces the release of a new edition of the Declare product transparency label for the European building and manufacturer market. The Declare Europe launch is taking place in Bolzano during the 2019 Klimahouse conference, which is focused on the exchange of ideas, innovations and insights on the latest trends in the energy-efficiency and sustainable construction sector.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

VIDEO | Driving Mohawk’s Passion for Sustainability and Sustainable Business

Jan 24, 2019 11:10 AM ET

As Mohawk’s VP of sustainability, George Bandy Jr. is uniquely in touch with how the flooring company’s capabilities and solutions can meet the needs of customers and help them further their sustainability objectives. In this clip, the former chair of the U.S. Green Building Council shares his perspectives and insights about how and why Mohawk and its employees around the world believe in better.

Environment

Hershey Aims to Cut the Carbon Footprint of its Chocolate with New Science-Based Target Commitment

Jan 24, 2019 10:55 AM ET

One of the world’s top chocolate companies shared new plans for reducing its impact on the planet – including committing to set Science-Based Targets. But what sets Hershey apart from its peers is not this commitment. It’s the journey behind how it got here.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Sustainable Forestry Tour: Educating the Social Media Generation

Jan 24, 2019 10:15 AM ET

Domtar, the Forest Stewardship Council® and Procter & Gamble brands Charmin and Bounty recently hosted two social media influencers during a sustainable forestry tour. It’s just one way we’re helping to raise awareness for the next generation of digital natives. Our sustainable forestry tour was a perfect opportunity to show how we and others are working to protect our natural resources.

Health & Healthcare

Government of Ghana Launches First of Its Kind Public-Private Partnership With Novartis to Improve Diagnosis and Treatment of People With Sickle Cell Disease

Jan 24, 2019 10:05 AM ET

Today, at the World Economic Forum, the Government of Ghana announced a new public-private partnership to improve the diagnosis and accelerate treatment for people with sickle cell disease (SCD), making Ghana the first African country to commit to offering the global standard of care for their people with SCD.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Timberland, Journeys, and the Student Conservation Association Leave Green Footprint in New York City

Jan 24, 2019 10:00 AM ET

Since 2016, Timberland has created or restored more than 130,000 square feet of green space in U.S. cities. Beyond the fall events, past efforts transformed a vacant lot into a community garden in the Mott Haven community of the Bronx and planted much of the greenery for Philadelphia’s new Rail Park which opened the public this spring.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

VH1 Save The Music Delivers Latest Keys+Kids Piano Grant in Atlanta

Jan 24, 2019 9:45 AM ET

Together with Zaytoven, Audiomack, and Zay Area Foundation, we delivered our first Keys + Kids Piano Grant in Atlanta, GA to Benjamin E. Mays High School. Principal, Mr. Richard Fowler, opened the assembly by talking about how it is the job of educators to ignite a passion into students and that the new instruments will encourage them to pursue music. Dr. Sara Womack of Atlanta Public Schools spoke about the importance of music education, followed by Jason Johnson of Audiomack who emphasized the company’s commitment to making sure students have the tools to grow and hopefully populate the streaming service’s platform one day. Chiho Feindler, Save The Music’s Senior Director of Programs & Policy, then led the audience in a countdown to unveil the brand-new piano!

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Mars CEO Grant Reid on reinvention, future-proofing and the importance of purpose

Jan 24, 2019 9:30 AM ET

From ever-evolving consumer tastes to environmental challenges, it’s clear the world is changing rapidly – and businesses must adapt in order to keep up. Want to hear more? Follow this link to Mars CEO Grant Reid’s interview with Bloomberg Businessweek.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Baltimore Humane Society & Safeway Supermarkets Partner to Help Federal Workers

Jan 24, 2019 9:30 AM ET

Baltimore Humane Society and Safeway have partnered to help federal employees during the government shutdown. To help employees without paychecks who are struggling to make ends meet. Baltimore Humane Society through its Bmore Kind Pet Food Bank, will be distributing dog and cat food donated by Safeway.

Energy

A New Blueprint for Renewable Energy Aggregation

Jan 24, 2019 9:15 AM ET

Watch this video on how Bloomberg, Cox Enterprises, Gap Inc., Salesforce and Workday closed an all-new renewable energy aggregation deal with guidance from LevelTen Energy. This is the first example of companies aggregating similar, relatively small amounts of renewable energy demand to collaboratively enter into a virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA), collectively acting as the anchor tenant for a large offsite renewable energy project.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Smithfield Foods Donates More Than 30,000 Pounds of Protein to Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana

Jan 24, 2019 9:05 AM ET

On January 23rd, Smithfield Foods, Inc. and Kroger joined forces to donate more than 30,000 pounds of protein to Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana. Smithfield’s contribution was part of the company’s 2019 Helping Hungry Homes® donation tour.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Comerica Named One Of America's Most JUST Companies In 2018 By Forbes And JUST Capital

Jan 24, 2019 9:05 AM ET

Comerica was named one of America's Most JUST Companies in 2018, according to Forbes and JUST Capital, a nonprofit that ranks the largest publicly-traded corporations in the United States on the issues Americans care about most. Comerica was included on this year's list for outperforming its peers on issues like fair pay and good benefits, customer treatment and privacy, beneficial products, environmental impact, job creation, community support in the U.S. and abroad, as well as ethical leadership and long-term financial growth.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

At Davos, P&G's Marc Pritchard says Consumers Expect Brands to be a Force for Good

Jan 24, 2019 9:05 AM ET