ESG News from Leading Brands

Education

For Low-Income Students, a New Graduation Equation

May 17, 2018 1:25 PM ET

Naffie Baldeh was 27 when she decided to go back to school. A single mother in the South Bronx, she’d been in and out of community colleges over the years as her family obligations and financial circumstances allowed. She was feeling the strain that comes with being a low-income student as her financial responsibilities—childcare, housing, the cost of school itself—competed with her academic ambitions.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Smithfield Foods Releases Latest Section of 2017 Sustainability Report, Shares New Programs and Companywide Commitment to Food Safety and Quality

May 17, 2018 12:40 PM ET

Smithfield Foods, Inc. released the Food Safety and Quality section of its 2017 Sustainability Report, which provides robust information about the company’s leading approach to producing safe, high-quality products. This section focuses on programs and achievements that underscore a culture of food safety, and highlights new product offerings that reflect Smithfield’s transformation into a world-class consumer packaged goods and protein company.

Education

Teachers on the New Frontier

May 17, 2018 12:25 PM ET

For many middle school teachers, taking part in a one-to-one initiative, where every student has a digital device for learning, has led to an existential search. In a technology-driven, student-centered learning environment, what does it mean to be a teacher?

Environment

Whole Kids Foundation Joins Forces With Top Chef Talent to Fund School Beehives

May 17, 2018 12:05 PM ET

Today, Whole Kids Foundation announced the Give Bees A Chance Campaign to showcase the vital role that honey bees play in our food and gardens. The month-long fundraising effort to support the Honey Bee Grant Program, which provides educational honey beehives to schools and nonprofits, will take place during June, National Pollinator Month.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Morgan Stanley Foundation Announces Additional $1.5 Million in Grants to Local Food Banks Across the United States

May 17, 2018 11:00 AM ET

Morgan Stanley Foundation today announced over $1,500,000 in grants to local food banks in 29 cities across 20 states to support hunger-relief programs that deliver food assistance and healthy meals to children and families. These grants are part of our most recent commitment, bringing our support total to more than $23 million to 200 Feeding America member food banks to help launch, build upon and sustain critical child nutrition programs through child hunger grants and expand access to fresh produce through produce grants. Morgan Stanley is committed to providing children with a healthy start to life and access to nutritious food is a vital part of that pledge.

Sustainable Development Goals

Boosting Farmers’ Income While Strengthening Climate Resilience in Colombia

May 17, 2018 10:50 AM ET

Media & Communications

Earth911.com Interviews: Cynthia Figge, CEO of CSRHub.com

May 17, 2018 10:45 AM ET

Consumers have access to corporate sustainability and social responsibility reporting they can use to select the companies they can trust to act ethically. With the rise of "big data" and transparency, there is more information on which to base a smart buying decision than ever before. Cynthia Figge, co-founder and CEO of CSRHub.com, a Seattle-based website that rates and ranks companies based on environmental and social responsibility, joins Mitch Ratcliffe to discuss what CSR reports cover, why business has learned sustainability is good for their bottom line, and how consumers can begin to access CSR data -- including on Earth911.com

Energy

As a Member of RE100, Bloomberg Has Pledged to Obtain 100% of Our Electricity From Renewable Sources by 2025

May 17, 2018 10:35 AM ET

Bloomberg began investigating renewable energy projects in 2008; our first project, a 1.8MW solar installation in New Jersey, began providing us with energy in 2012. We currently obtain energy from five on- and off-site solar and wind sites. Our newest installation is a 5MW wind farm in Hidalgo, Texas, which started providing us with energy in 2017.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

SC Johnson Switzerland Named 2018 Best Workplace

May 17, 2018 10:30 AM ET

SC Johnson Switzerland today announced it has been recognized as a 2018 Best Workplace by the Great Place to Work® Institute for the second consecutive year. The organization earned the No. 18 spot in the ranking.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

VIDEO | eBay Everyday Heroes: human-I-T Helps Connect a City

May 17, 2018 10:25 AM ET

Did you know nearly half of low-income households in Los Angeles do not own a computer and are not connected to the internet*? Watch how eBay seller human-I-T provides teenage mothers in LA with their own PCs to help open new doors for them.

Events, Media & Communications

The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association Presents Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine for the 2018 Season

May 17, 2018 10:00 AM ET

The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association announced today details of the menus for the 2018 Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine season. Building on the success of last two summers with award-winning chef Suzanne Goin and business partner restaurateur Caroline Styne of The Lucques Group, and Sodexo Sports & Leisure, Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine promises exceptional dining for visitors to the iconic venue.

Health & Healthcare

Insights: Dr. Mary-Ann Etiebet Reflects on Merck for Mothers’ Efforts and What’s Next

May 17, 2018 9:30 AM ET

GBC Health sat down with Merck for Mothers Executive Director, Dr. Mary Ann-Etiebet, to hear about the progress that has been made, why she joined the company last year, and what’s next for the global initiative.

Environment

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden to Open May 19

May 17, 2018 9:20 AM ET

Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens today announced the much-anticipated opening of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden, a two-acre immersive experience designed to connect children with nature.

Environment

Stomachache? Soil gets them, too

May 17, 2018 8:30 AM ET

If your mother told you it’s important to chew your food, she was right. Dr. Kris Nichols, microbiologist and former chief scientist of Rodale, can scientifically prove it. “We all have microbes that process food in our stomachs, and if you don’t chew your food well, the microbes get upset and lead to a stomachache,” she says. Believe it or not, soil acts in the exact same way.

Research, Reports & Publications

FedEx Multiplies Opportunities: 2018 Global Citizenship Report

May 17, 2018 5:00 AM ET

FedEx is committed to using its size, scale and network to multiply positive outcomes for businesses, people and communities around the world. The 2018 Global Citizenship Report tracks these efforts across three areas: Economy, Environment and People. Highlights from the report include:

Health & Healthcare

Ask the Dietitian: Top Performance Tips

May 16, 2018 5:55 PM ET

Aramark dietitian Jillian Wanik shares what the best foods, drink and practices are to maintain a healthy diet and active lifestyle.

Environment

Pernod Ricard: Getting Rid of Plastic Straws is a Call to Corporate Responsibility

May 16, 2018 5:15 PM ET

Plastic drinking straws are everywhere – in the soft drinks that we order with our meal, in the glass of water we’re served in a restaurant and the boxed juice sold in stores. They are even in the mixed cocktails that are served in bars and lounges. But these days, the sleek, plastic straw is best known for the environmental mess that is cluttering the world’s parks, beaches and landfills.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Iconic Houses: Celebrating Modern Architectural Marvels

May 16, 2018 4:50 PM ET

As the World’s largest travel network, American Express has a deep understanding of the influence buildings and landmarks can have on society. And, as regular readers of my blog know, we have a long history of helping communities thrive through the power of preservation.

Energy

AEG and LA Kings Partner With BluEco Technology Group on Revolutionary New Water and Ice Development Technology for Stadiums and Arenas, Maximizing Energy Efficiency, Improving In-Venue Climate and Providing Cost Savings

May 16, 2018 2:45 PM ET

AEG, the world’s leading sports and entertainment company, and its National Hockey League (NHL) franchise, the LA Kings, have formed a joint venture with BluEco Technology Group to introduce a revolutionary new BluEco Liquid Crystalline Turbex™ (LCT™) environmental technology for arenas and public facilities. The BluEco LCT System produces pure water while cleaning indoor air and significantly reducing energy costs for arena and facility operators and owners.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Thriving in a Loving Home, What Every Child Deserves and YOU Can Help

May 16, 2018 2:00 PM ET

Imagine spending a year and a half not knowing if the bed you slept in one night would be the bed you sleep in the next night. That’s reality for the more than 430,000 children in foster care in North America, but the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption knows that these children can have a bright future. More than 117,000 children living in foster care need to be adopted right now.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

New Mexico Homeownership to Get $4.6 Million Boost

May 16, 2018 1:35 PM ET

The NeighborhoodLIFT program will offer homebuyer education plus $7,500 down payment assistance grants for all 33 New Mexico counties, through a $4.6 million commitment by Wells Fargo.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

KeyBank Provides a Total of $49.7 Million in Financing for Colorado Affordable Housing Development

May 16, 2018 1:15 PM ET

KeyBank’s Community Development Lending & Investment (CDLI) team has provided a total of $49.7 million in financing to a joint venture among Koelbel and Company, Mile High Development and Longs Peak Advisors to support the new construction of Eaton Street Apartments, a 118-unit affordable housing development in Westminster, CO. Specifically, KeyBank provided a $24.8 million construction loan, a $14.1 million LIHTC equity investment and a $10.8 million Fannie Mae permanent loan. Jefferson County Housing Authority is a Special Limited Partner.

Environment

How Sea Oats Make Beautiful Beaches Possible

May 16, 2018 12:00 PM ET

As enchanting as coastal sea oats look, their golden tassels dancing in the ocean breeze from Florida’s Panhandle to North Carolina’s Outer Banks, what lies hidden beneath the sand is even more magical. The roots of this dainty-looking grass extend as deep as 5 feet below the surface, and literally anchor the dunes in place. For the fragile barrier islands, sea oats are the first line of defense.

Environment

Practitioner Spotlight--Julie Mouton

May 16, 2018 11:30 AM ET

Antea Group spotlights Julie Mouton, who is based in Seattle and specializes in environmental remediation and compliance as well as sustainability.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Record Breaking 17th Annual Comcast Cares Day for Comcast NBCUniversal

May 16, 2018 10:55 AM ET

Comcast NBCUniversal today announced a record number of volunteers, projects and total hours served during the company’s 17th annual Comcast Cares Day, the nation’s largest single-day corporate volunteer effort and a powerful representation of the company’s year-round commitment to community service.