ESG News from Leading Brands

Responsible Production & Consumption

Bringing Transparency to Steel Doors with Environmental Product Declarations

Jun 14, 2018 10:00 AM ET

The Steel Door Institute has commissioned third-party certifier and LCA expert SCS Global Services to prepare the first industry-wide Environmental Product Declarations for two widely used steel door products. EPDs are independently verified declarations of the potential environmental impacts associated with products. Industry-wide EPDs are important because they enable individual manufacturers to benchmark their performance through comparison of their own EPD to the industry average, and reinforce improvement efforts.

Sustainable Development Goals

Consumers Energy Proposes Long-Term Plan, Cleaner Energy Future for Michigan

Jun 14, 2018 9:55 AM ET

Consumers Energy today announced it is seizing a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape Michigan’s energy future with a plan that embodies its Triple Bottom Line commitment to people, the planet and prosperity.

Research, Reports & Publications

NRG Energy CEO: Businesses Create Value by Fulfilling Societal Need in a Meaningful Way

Jun 14, 2018 9:20 AM ET

Businesses create the most value when they fulfill a societal need in a meaningful way. I often find myself reflecting on this sentiment and the importance of electricity in our modern life. Electricity, the lifeblood of modern society, powers individuals, homes, businesses and, increasingly, other areas such as transportation. In a more connected and digital future, we will rely more on electricity, not less. As a power company that generates and sells electricity, I recognize the great responsibility we have in enabling this future.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Sodexo Named NACAS West Business Partner of the Year

Jun 14, 2018 9:05 AM ET

Sodexo, a food and facilities management company committed to improving Quality of Life, announced today it was named NACAS West Business Partner of the Year for outstanding customer service and support of the educational programs at NACAS West institutions. Sodexo was nominated by two of its university clients, New Mexico State University and the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.

Education

Saying Goodbye: When It’s Time to Remove Your Tree

Jun 14, 2018 9:00 AM ET

Trees bring so much benefit and beauty to the landscape, it can be hard to part with them. But, while a tree may seem healthy to the untrained eye, it could be a disaster waiting to happen. Tree removal is usually a last resort, when no other safe management option, like pruning or disease mitigation, is sufficient. Dead, dying or otherwise hazardous trees can lead to thousands of dollars in damage, plus the priceless cost of personal injury. Often a tree doesn’t look dangerous until after a storm or heavy snow exposes its vulnerabilities.

Education

$1 Million ScottsMiracle-Gro Hagedorn Legacy Endowment Established at Ohio State

Jun 14, 2018 8:45 AM ET

Strengthening its commitment to equipping future leaders with the skills, experiences and networks necessary to succeed, The Ohio State University Max M. Fisher College of Business has announced the establishment of the ScottsMiracle-Gro Hagedorn Legacy Endowment, a $1 million fund to help students pursue their dreams of attending college.

Innovation & Technology

5 Ways Duke Energy is Using Drone Technology

Jun 13, 2018 6:05 PM ET

For nearly a century, unmanned aerial vehicles – or drones – were primarily tools for the military, but in the last decade, the use of drones for civilian tasks has skyrocketed. Industries from real estate to agriculture and retail to entertainment are using the technology to work faster, safer and in new ways. The energy industry is no exception. Duke Energy started using drones in 2015 to inspect wind and solar sites, and the ways the company can use the technology grows each year with tasks becoming more complex. For example, in February 2018, Duke Energy drone operators engineered a way to help string power lines in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

KeyBank Provides $14.2 Million in Total Financing for Preservation of Affordable Senior Housing in Buffalo

Jun 13, 2018 5:00 PM ET

KeyBank Community Development Lending & Investment (CDLI) has provided $14.2 million in construction financing for the renovation of Riverview Manor and Piotr Stadnitski Gardens in Buffalo, NY. The project will be developed in partnership with Smith and Henzy Advisory Group and MDG Design + Construction and is supported by existing project-based HUD Section 8 vouchers.

Responsible Production & Consumption

NeoCon Exhibitors Announced Living Product Certifications

Jun 13, 2018 4:45 PM ET

Five different manufacturers are celebrating 10 Living Product certifications at NeoCon 2018, bringing the total number of Living Product certifications to 20. The Living Product Challenge (LPC) was launched in 2014 by the International Living Future Institute (ILFI) to inspire manufacturers to pursue ambitious goals to dematerialize and detoxify their products and ultimately go beyond doing ‘less bad’ to create positive health and environmental impacts.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Wendy's and Sugardale Come Together for the Greater Good of Taste and the DTFA

Jun 13, 2018 3:35 PM ET

Sugardale is also a proud supporter of our brand charity of choice, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. Sugardale has supported the Foundation since its inception in 1992 and continues to us help find permanent, loving homes for children in foster care by sponsoring Wendy’s annual Frosty 5K Run for Adoption, various golf tournaments, and our annual Wendy’s Convention.

Education

Northern Trust Summer Interns Learn Hands on Training

Jun 13, 2018 3:10 PM ET

Our interns have arrived! Our 10-week program is designed for interns to learn more about our organization and industry by gaining hands on experience participating in partner and client meetings, working on key projects and task, delivering presentations to upper leadership and more!

Diversity & Inclusion

Deloitte | Women Can Soar When the Mentored Become Mentors

Jun 13, 2018 2:25 PM ET

This is graduation season, and along with the nearly four million postsecondary degrees being handed out, new graduates are getting a lot of good advice from commencement speakers and loved ones. Allow me to add one more piece of advice, and it’s a simple one to remember: Keep building your network of mentors, advisors and sponsors. The people who gave you good advice about the right professional track, coursework and summer jobs and internships are often the same people who can help you as your professional life gets l

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

GRI Is Looking for Accomplished Nominees for Its Governance Bodies

Jun 13, 2018 2:00 PM ET

GRI’s mission to empower decisions that create social, environmental and economic benefits for everyone, can only be fulfilled if everyone is represented. Once a year, there is an opportunity for experts in sustainability to become part of our governance bodies. We are currently seeking members for a term of 3 years - find out more!

Environment

PepsiCo Program Brings in 160 Million Recycled Containers

Jun 13, 2018 1:00 PM ET

PepsiCo’s 2017-2018 Recycle Rally program encouraged participating schools to start recycling, bringing in more than 160 million recycled beverage containers from the 4,000 schools enrolled in the program.

Education

Sodexo Fuels College Athletes for Game Day and Beyond

Jun 13, 2018 12:45 PM ET

Sodexo, a food and facilities management company committed to improving Quality of Life, announced today a new pilot program called The Circuit designed to equip college athletes with the proper nutrition, game-ready facilities and opportunities for professional growth and advancement.

Health & Healthcare

Why Designing Workspaces Should Be a Walk in the Park

Jun 13, 2018 12:30 PM ET

Bringing the outside in, today’s workspaces are increasingly mirroring the lush green landscapes of the great outdoors.

From cascading fountains to botanical-rich workspaces, companies big and small are creating natural, park-like environments. More than aesthetically pleasing, greened indoor workspaces are good for people and for business.

These calming spaces are designed to reduce stress, enhance overall wellness and boost productivity and efficiency. Plus, they offer financial benefits for property owners and developers.

Environment

John Stoehr: Where’s the Party?

Jun 13, 2018 12:00 PM ET

From time to time, so-called moderate Democratic legislators cross party lines to work with Republicans. Do you ever wonder if voters from red states appreciate those gestures? More importantly, what kind of impact do these collaborations and compromises end up making in the crafting of policy? This week on Sea Change Radio, we take a deep dive into the political pool with John Stoehr, a columnist with the Washington Monthly and New Haven Register.

Environment

PepsiCo Champions Farmer Economic Security, Sustainability

Jun 13, 2018 12:00 PM ET

The word “sustainability” doesn’t give too many farmers the warm fuzzies, admits Margaret Henry, PepsiCo director of sustainable agriculture. She gets it. Henry grew up on a Kentucky dairy farm.

But here’s why she thinks the concept is important: In her view, it allows the food system to speak with a common language that resonates with consumers. If used properly, it instills confidence that farmers and their food-system partners are conserving natural resources.

Green Infrastructure

Well Tip: Understanding the Comparison Between Well V1 and Well V2 Pilot

Jun 13, 2018 11:45 AM ET

Are you working on a WELL v1 project and wondering how your team can best utilize the new version of WELL? Are you eager to register your project, but would like to first understand the feature comparison between WELL v1 and the WELL Building Standard version 2 pilot: (WELL v2)? We have launched a new comparison tool to help you explore the changes between v1 and v2.

Events, Media & Communications

Brands Taking Stands | Big Tech Faces Bigger Social Issues

Jun 13, 2018 11:35 AM ET

Not so long ago, the major tech companies were held up as ideal models of innovation and progress. Now, a reality check seems to be setting in as they face increased consumer and regulatory scrutiny. Facebook continues to be under fire for lack of transparency in how it shares customer data. Amazon is taking hits for “unethical and illegal” workplace conditions in the Chinese factories that produce its Echo and Kindle devices. It’s gotten to the point where Hollywood is turning out features in which Silicon Valley figures are portrayed as supervillains.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Multipliers of Prosperity | Money Is More Than Math: Exploring What Comes After Security for Low-Income Americans

Jun 13, 2018 11:35 AM ET

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Marina Bay Sands: Turning the Tide in Asia

Jun 13, 2018 11:05 AM ET

Just below the surface of Malaysia's bright blue and green waters, fish nets bob up and down in the ocean's current, bustling with abundant sustainably raised snapper, grouper, and seabass. It wasn't always like this. Mr. Lee Ya Qu, founder of Aqua Ceria fish farm, reflects, "I chose to give up fishing and started aquafarming because there were no fish left."

Environment

What Does China's Plastic Ban Mean for Healthcare?

Jun 13, 2018 11:00 AM ET

HPRC explores the consequences of the Chinese ban on the import of certain plastic wastes and the solutions being crafted to address this issue.

Sustainable Development Goals

How Communications Technology Is Supporting Human Rights: A Q&A With Verizon CSR Director Chris Lloyd

Jun 13, 2018 11:00 AM ET

In this Q&A, Chris Lloyd, Verizon’s Director of Corporate Social Responsibility Strategy, and Chair of the GeSI Human Rights Committee, shares his views on the industry’s responsibility to support human rights.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Volunteer Spotlight: Taryn Sauthoff Uses Tech Talent for Good

Jun 13, 2018 10:35 AM ET

Taryn Sauthoff, a Viacom employee in New York, is the embodiment of Talent for Good at work. She applied her web development skills to help YoungMoms, a non-profit organization that supports pregnant and parenting young women in rural Pennsylvania, build a new website. Sauthoff completed the volunteer project in a few months and continues to collaborate with the organization.