ESG News from Leading Brands

Energy

CMS Energy Announces Two New Wind Energy Parks

Jun 26, 2018 9:20 AM ET

CMS Energy today announced the addition of two new planned wind energy parks to its portfolio that will produce up to 250 megawatts of clean, renewable energy: the Gratiot Farms Wind Project and the Northwest Ohio Wind Project.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Respecting Human Rights in Sport: Visa’s Founding Support of the Centre for Sport and Human Rights

Jun 26, 2018 9:00 AM ET

Today, Visa is proud to join as a founding supporter of the Centre for Sport and Human Rights, a new institution announced in Geneva by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, the Director-General of the ILO Guy Ryder and the Centre’s founding Chair Mary Robinson. As longtime believers in the power of sport to inspire and unify the world, and as a company committed to operate responsibly, ethically and sustainably across our business, we are pleased to support this important initiative dedicated to a vision of a world of sport that fully respects human rights.

Education

12 Fast-Growing Shade Trees

Jun 26, 2018 9:00 AM ET

If there were a Guinness Book of World Records for trees, the quaking aspen would be in it – several times. First, it has the widest natural range of any tree in North America, spanning 47 degrees of latitude (equal to half the distance from the equator to the North Pole), 110 degrees of longitude (nine time zones) and elevations from sea level to timberline. It is also the largest living organism, growing in clones that reproduce primarily by sending up sprouts from their roots. And as far as the oldest … a clone in Minnesota has been estimated to be thousands of years old!

Sustainable Development Goals

Webinar - Tetra Pak, PGGM, Coca-Cola HBC & WBCSD on SDG Reporting

Jun 26, 2018 5:00 AM ET

The increasing focus and push towards the UN Global Goals and 2-degree target requires businesses to disclose accurate data to showcase future risks, demonstrate the long-term value of the business and show their impact on the SDGs.

Environment

With China Saying No to Plastic Waste, the World Needs a New Plan

Jun 25, 2018 8:30 PM ET

A global crisis over what to do with millions of tons of discarded plastic and other trash is becoming even more difficult after China decided last year to stop importing much of the waste. In some cases, that means used paper and plastic containers that Americans intend to recycle are actually ending up in landfills, waste company managers say.

Sustainable Development Goals

Whirlpool Corporation Sets New Greenhouse Gas Emission Targets

Jun 25, 2018 7:35 PM ET

After achieving its energy and water intensity goals three years early, Whirlpool Corporation has set significant new Greenhouse Gas Emission (GHG) goals. The new science-based targets will exceed the original U.S. commitments to the Paris Climate Accord, pledging to reduce 30 percent GHG in operations and products in use by 2025, using a 2005 baseline. The goals are outlined in the 2017 Sustainability Report, which was released this week.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Randy Castro to Lead Black & Veatch Federal Business

Jun 25, 2018 6:30 PM ET

​Randy Castro, former Deputy Director, Defense Threat Reduction Agency,Corps of Engineers leader and retired U.S. Army major general has been named President of Black & Veatch Special Projects Corp.; the company’s Federal business.

Education

CLP Strives to Connect to People for Sustainable Development

Jun 25, 2018 5:00 PM ET

As sustainability education matters, the CLP Group has been participating in the WBCSD Leadership Program, an intensive year-long executive education initiative which prepares leaders for sustainability challenges and opportunities, since 2004. This year, CLP is joining the program to navigate how to better communicate sustainable development and report to stakeholders. Check out how participants from companies around the world gained new insights from industry experts and academics.

Research, Reports & Publications

5 Things Partners Should Know From HP's Sustainable Impact Report

Jun 25, 2018 4:25 PM ET

HP Inc. doesn't consider sustainability tangential to corporate goals -- it's actually at the heart of the company's continued reinvention efforts, according to Nate Hurst (pictured), chief sustainability and social impact officer at HP.

Research, Reports & Publications

Legg Mason Issues 2018 Annual Report With Focus on Corporate Responsibility

Jun 25, 2018 3:30 PM ET

Legg Mason today issued its Annual Report for the fiscal year 2018, highlighting our strategy for achieving the Company’s mission of Investing to Improve Lives™ with a focus on responsible investing.

Responsible Production & Consumption

FCA US Facilities in Ohio and Michigan Reach Silver Status in World Class Manufacturing

Jun 25, 2018 3:25 PM ET

Two FCA US facilities have joined the ranks of silver designated plants in the Company’s World Class Manufacturing (WCM) methodology. Toledo (Ohio) Machining and Sterling Stamping (Sterling Heights, Michigan) were recognized for their efforts in expanding the implementation of WCM principles, becoming the eighth and ninth plants, respectively, to reach this milestone.

Research, Reports & Publications

LBG Canada Companies Predict 2018 Community Budget Increases

Jun 25, 2018 3:15 PM ET

50% of LBG Canada companies predict an increased community investment budget in 2018. Greater appreciation of the value of community investment (23%) and increased employee interest (38%) are cited as influencing factors.

Media & Communications

Sustainable Mutual Funds Investing Ratings

Jun 25, 2018 2:45 PM ET

The 20th Century concept of “mutual funds” investment debuted before the stock market crash of October 1929; in 1924 the Massachusetts Investors’ Trust in Boston was created with State Street Investors’ Trust as the custodian. That fund opened to public investment in 1928. That same year the Wellington Fund (offering both bonds and equity) opened for business.

Health & Healthcare

Farm to School Impact Continues to Grow in Canada with 33 More Schools to Receive Grants

Jun 25, 2018 2:25 PM ET

Farm to Cafeteria Canada (F2CC) and Whole Kids Foundation (WKF) are thrilled to announce that a second round of Farm to School Canada grants, valued at up to $10,000 each, will be delivered to 33 schools across British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Newfoundland, bringing more of the local harvest into the minds and onto the plates of students across the country.

Events, Media & Communications

Whirlpool Opens Consumer Experience Center

Jun 25, 2018 2:15 PM ET

Whirlpool Corporation, the world’s largest major appliance maker, has added a consumer experience center to the World of Whirlpool, its 60,000-square-foot showcase for the trade in Chicago.

Education

Introducing Global Problem Solvers: The Series

Jun 25, 2018 1:05 PM ET

GPS: The Series engages students with a team of teens from around the globe who use technology to solve real-world problems. The mission of the series is to inspire students to become global problems solvers — global citizens ready to thrive in an increasingly connected and digital future by thinking like entrepreneurs, innovating like technologists, and acting as social change agents.

Research, Reports & Publications

Xylem Highlights Its Continuing Commitment to Global Sustainability in Its Annual Sustainability Report: “The Opportunity of a Lifetime”

Jun 25, 2018 1:05 PM ET

Xylem, a leading global water technology company, published its 2017 Sustainability Report: "The Opportunity of a Lifetime,"which outlines its commitment to partnering with customers and communities to pioneer new approaches to help solve the major water challenges of our time. The report also spotlights Xylem’s progress over the past year to advance its sustainability goals.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

VSP Global and GLAM4GOOD Join Forces to Expand Access to Critical Resources

Jun 25, 2018 12:55 PM ET

A charitable collaboration, first developed through Hurricane Harvey outreach, is now taking formal shape in a year-long effort to provide access to comprehensive eye exams, prescription glasses, beauty and fashion items where they are needed most. VSP Global, which includes the nation’s largest not-for-profit vision benefits company, and GLAM4GOOD, the award-winning empowerment platform and non-profit organization, announced today that they are joining forces to make a greater impact in the communities they serve.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Historical Dodge//SRT and Barrett-Jackson ‘The Ultimate Last Chance’ Auction Scores $1 Million for the United Way

Jun 25, 2018 12:40 PM ET

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Meet Susan Goodsell, Member of the Aflac Green Team

Jun 25, 2018 12:35 PM ET

Meet Susan Goodsell, a member of the Aflac Green Committee who uses her communication skills to help promote Aflac’s environmental sustainability initiatives through education, community activities and volunteerism.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Wells Fargo Donates $500,000 for Jacksonville Revitalization Efforts

Jun 25, 2018 12:30 PM ET

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) today announced a total of $500,000 in donations to five local nonprofits to help revitalize Jacksonville neighborhoods through the Wells Fargo NeighborhoodLIFT® program.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

An Estimated $970,000 Raised for Charity at the 2018 Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon and 5k

Jun 25, 2018 11:45 AM ET

More than 6,700 people took part in the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon and 5k, raising an estimated $970,000 for 70 local charities through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge. This brings the grand total since 2007 to over $8 million.

Environment

WATCH | How Consumers Energy Will Cut Out Coal Burning by 2040

Jun 25, 2018 11:25 AM ET

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Sands China's Responsible Gaming Team Training Program

Jun 25, 2018 11:25 AM ET

Sands China Ltd. delivered its annual Responsible Gaming Team Training Program at The Venetian Macao’s Adelson Advanced Education Center as part of the company’s continuing efforts to make Responsible Gaming education a top priority.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Realizing Women’s Full Financial Potential

Jun 25, 2018 10:30 AM ET

Globally, women influence or control more than 25 percent of wealth, but a lack of access to affordable financial products and services can hold them back. BNY Mellon helps increase women’s financial inclusion to improve their lives, communities and society.

Once women establish a financial footprint by opening checking or savings accounts, they can build their financial empowerment through the use of payment systems and loans, which help women achieve financial health and enable them to mitigate risk and plan and save for the future.

The more women realize their full potential as independent and empowered financial agents, the more improvements will be evident in local health and educational outcomes, along with expansions in entrepreneurship and greater overall financial security.