ESG News from Leading Brands

Innovation & Technology

Tapping Into Tech to Accelerate Digital Innovation

Jul 30, 2018 9:05 AM ET

Backed by a $100 million investment fund, we launched MetLife Digital Ventures in 2017 to accelerate MetLife’s transformation through direct investment in startups that can bring new innovations to MetLife’s customers. Direct investment allows MetLife to share our expertise with these startups and influence the products and capabilities they offer, provide opportunities to expand their businesses and generate returns on our investment.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

David Attenborough Launches Wildlife Fund for Advertisers

Jul 30, 2018 9:00 AM ET

Sir David Attenborough has said large corporations should donate to wildlife protection schemes every time they feature animals in their adverts.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Sodexo to Hire 20,000 Employees in the U.S. in Next 60 Days

Jul 30, 2018 8:00 AM ET

Sodexo, a food services and facilities management company committed to improving Quality of Life and recognized by FORTUNE Magazine as one of the World’s Most Admired Companies, announced today its plans to hire 20,000 employees in the U.S. in the next 60 days in preparation for the 2018-2019 school year.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Seeking a Balance Between Business and Public Welfare with Innovation

Jul 28, 2018 10:40 AM ET

Innovation & Technology

Interview: Senior Technologist Ana Marchan-Garcia

Jul 27, 2018 9:00 PM ET

This interview is with Ana Marchan-Garcia, who works is a Senior Technologist for MARS.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Making the World More Hospitable

Jul 27, 2018 4:00 PM ET

Young people will always find ways to employ their time. With more than 3.5 billion of them under the age of 30, it’s imperative that their employment is with purpose and value. Yet today, an astonishing 71 million young people around the world are left wanting for that.

The Travel and Tourism industry has that kind of work—it expects to generate 100 million new jobs in the next decade. Collectively, it is already one of the world’s largest employers; the industry is responsible for one in every ten jobs globally, in nearly every country of the world, including emerging markets.

Because of its size and scope—and the fact that a number of jobs in the industry are ideally suited for new job seekers—the industry is in a unique position to help solve the youth unemployment dilemma.

Environment

I Love A Clean San Diego Protects Summertime Celebrations from Litter With Clean Beach Coalition

Jul 27, 2018 3:05 PM ET

In response to the influx of locals and tourists, I Love A Clean San Diego (ILACSD) and the San Diego Clean Beach Coalition (SDCBC) place 200 temporary trash and recycling bins along some of the city’s busiest beaches to reduce the amount of beach and marine litter.

Innovation & Technology

Booz Allen Interns Use Algorithms to Fight Fake News

Jul 27, 2018 2:55 PM ET

On social media, fake news almost always wins out over the truth. That’s one of the eye-opening findings of a recent study detailed in Science. As people increasingly get their news from online sources like Twitter and Facebook, how do you make it easier for them to spot fake news?

At Booz Allen, our Summer Games interns are up to the challenge. Last year’s team created a web browser extension that detects potential fake news articles in order to prevent the spread of misinformation on the Internet. This year, our interns are enhancing that tool, so it detects both fake news articles and user accounts across a variety of social media platforms and comment forums.

Education

HP Inc Joins UNIDO’s Learning and Knowledge Development Facility as a Knowledge Partner

Jul 27, 2018 2:25 PM ET

UNIDO and HP Inc have an ongoing partnership through the HP Foundation’s Learning Initiative for Entrepreneurs, HP LIFE, programme, which provides people worldwide with access to over 25 free online courses in seven languages to build key business competencies.

Sustainable Development Goals

How Saipem Creates Value While Supporting SDG8

Jul 27, 2018 2:05 PM ET

Many companies talk about their plans to support the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG8), meant to promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.

Responsible Production & Consumption

High Fashion Adopts Sustainability as Plan for Future Growth

Jul 27, 2018 1:15 PM ET

With their outsize influence on culture as trendsetters, and their large ecosystems, from raw materials sourcing to finished products, luxury fashion and beauty brands are well positioned to drive social progress through corporate responsibility.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Gables Residential Named Multifamily Builder of the Year by the Florida Green Building Coalition

Jul 27, 2018 12:30 PM ET

Gables was not only recognized for achieving the highest of recognitions, but also for its dedication to promoting a positive environmental, social and economic impact across the country.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Finalists for the International Responsible Business Awards Have Been Revealed

Jul 27, 2018 12:20 PM ET

The shortlist for Ethical Corporation's 9th Annual Responsible Business Awards has been announced. The winners will be revealed and celebrated at a glamorous Awards Dinner ceremony on 9th October in central London.

Research, Reports & Publications

Tracking Sustainability Indicators on a Quarterly Basis Is Possible With the Right Intent

Jul 27, 2018 11:35 AM ET

For the fourth year, Schneider Electric, the leader in digital transformation of energy management and automation, announces its financial and non-financial results together for the second quarter of 2018.

Innovation & Technology

How Machines Are Learning for Modern Agriculture

Jul 27, 2018 11:25 AM ET

Arthur Samuel, an eccentric computer engineer at Stanford University, took part in what could be considered the most important game of checkers ever played. Arthur challenged the then reigning Connecticut state champion to match wits with a computer he programmed to play checkers.

Sustainable Development Goals

Creating Local Hiring Opportunities at Peñasquito

Jul 27, 2018 11:10 AM ET

We are always looking local for new hires in the communities surrounding our operations. Employment is one of the ways Goldcorp helps develop local economies and build strong community relationships.

Education

Scotiabank Hands Scholarships to Belize City Students

Jul 27, 2018 11:10 AM ET

Scotia Bank handed out scholarships to school children as it celebrates its 12th anniversary of its Scotia Bank Education Foundation. The children attended a short ceremony late this afternoon at the Scotia Bank Belama Branch. Malenie Landaverde, the Manager of the branch spoke more about the program.

Green Infrastructure

Electric Perspectives: Transportation Electrification

Jul 27, 2018 11:10 AM ET

Autonomous, or “self-driving,” vehicles might get a larger share of the headlines for their future potential, but electric vehicles (EVs) look to be ready for the fast lane right now. While plug-in EVs make up less than 1 percent of auto sales in the United States, their sales are growing at nearly 30 percent year over year. Last year, EEI and the Institute for Electric Innovation forecast that up to 7 million EVs will be traveling on U.S. roads by the end of 2025.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Sands Cares | Celebrating Mobile Hygiene Unit's One-Year Anniversary

Jul 27, 2018 10:35 AM ET

Las Vegas ranks sixth in the nation with the largest population of homeless individuals among major cities and is also known to have the third highest number of unaccompanied youth, according to reports by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). In order to provide immediate relief and resources as an active approach against homelessness, Las Vegas Sands partnered with Clean the World through Sands Cares, its corporate giving program, to launch the “Sands Cares Fresh Start Mobile Showers” in July 2017.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Rising to the Challenge – the Comcast NBCUniversal Family

Jul 27, 2018 10:05 AM ET

Rising floodwaters. Hurricane-force winds. Rapidly spreading wildfires. These catastrophes all share one thing: they test the spirit. Throughout our entire Comcast NBCUniversal family, stories of selfless service and compassion have emerged from the recovery efforts. Our employees have an inclination toward action, so these are only a few of the hundreds of incredible examples of how we are Comcast strong.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Worldwide Suppliers and Subcontractors Recognized at Bechtel's Supply Chain Luncheon

Jul 27, 2018 9:50 AM ET

“This award means more to me and our company than you can imagine. I know Bechtel’s standards are high and this type of an award is not given lightly so to be singled out in this fashion gives us a great incentive to continue providing the service we do.”

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Sodexo Named to Diversity Best Practices Inclusion Index

Jul 27, 2018 9:45 AM ET

Sodexo, a food services and facilities management company committed to improving Quality of Life, announced today their ranking as a top scorer on the Diversity Best Practices (DBP) Inclusion Index after receiving a score of 76 percent. The DBP Inclusion Index provides data and insight about participating organizations specific to their diversity and inclusion practices in recruitment, retention, and advancement; organizational culture; and demographic transparency. This is the second annual DBP Inclusion Index where Sodexo scored above 70 percent.

Education

How to Improve Access to Education Around the World

Jul 27, 2018 9:25 AM ET

For the last several years Pearson has partnered with America’s Promise Alliance, a network of national, state, community organizations and individuals dedicated to creating better educational opportunities in the U.S. In this case, the goal was to find solutions for the economic and social issues that kept kids from graduating from U.S. high schools.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Tetra Tech Examines Its Plastic Use for World Environment Day

Jul 27, 2018 9:00 AM ET

As part of World Environment Day 2018, Tetra Tech challenged its offices with 10 or more employees to examine their disposable plastic use. We identified any office items that were made of disposable plastic and noted which items could be replaced with reusable or compostable versions. Employees identified replaceable products including straws, cutlery, cups, and pre-packaged food and drinks.

Tetra Tech took a big step towards beating plastic pollution using this audit as a starting point. With 400 offices around the world, Tetra Tech employees can have a positive impact on our local environments. We strive to operate as sustainably as possible, and encourage our employees to improve the sustainability of their offices.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Think Differently: The Shifting Landscape of Value for Emerging Brands and Successful ICOs

Jul 26, 2018 7:40 PM ET

We’ve seen a massive shift towards values-based leadership over the last several years, particularly within the ranks of established corporate leadership teams. But what role do values and operationalizing the creation of shared value play for the emerging entrepreneur, for whom it can be a matter of business life-or-death if funds aren’t quickly raised and partners don’t come alongside to support their urgent growth? Is there a role for social impact as an entrepreneur or ICO leader?