ESG News from Leading Brands

Diversity & Inclusion

Nestlé Purina Has Built One of the Best Companies for LGBTQ Workers. Here’s How.

Aug 27, 2018 11:45 AM ET

For three years now, the Human Rights Campaign, the largest LGBTQ civil rights group in the U.S., has awarded Nestlé Purina with a perfect score on its Corporate Equality Index. The organization’s national benchmarking survey scores businesses on their corporate policies and practices relating to the LGBTQ community.

While we are proud of our perfect score, we’re prouder of the hard work we’ve done to become a welcoming, inclusive employer.

We do this because it’s the right thing to do from a moral and business perspective. We firmly believe that all employees — regardless of their sexual or gender identity — deserve to feel welcome at work.

Health & Healthcare

How These Charlotte Employers Are Making Strides in Health, Wellness

Aug 27, 2018 11:30 AM ET

Domtar was among the 22 Charlotte area employers winning Healthiest Employers of Greater Charlotte honors.

Energy

Contextualizing Global Energy Poverty

Aug 27, 2018 11:25 AM ET

Access to modern sources of energy is fundamental to eradicating poverty and spurring economic growth. Energy touches every aspect of a household’s quality of life. Without access to electric lighting, kids huddle around smoky kerosene lamps to study at night—endangering both their health and education. Lack of refrigeration and gas or electric cooking also impacts a family’s health as it hinders food preservation, makes it harder to purify water, and brings more smoky pollutants into the home. And without electricity for charging phones and starting businesses, many people are falling further and further behind both informationally and economically.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

From Farm to Fork: Strengthening Direct Sales Between Smallholders and Consumers in Cusco, Peru

Aug 27, 2018 11:05 AM ET

Strengthening links between smallholder farmers and consumers is complex; there are many factors to be considered and many people who need to work together. In Cusco, southeastern Peru, substantial work has been done to enhance agroecological production but not much to improve direct sales between smallholders and consumers.

Health & Healthcare

First Class of the East African Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Fellowship Program Graduates

Aug 27, 2018 11:00 AM ET

Health & Healthcare

What’s Your Healthy Commitment?

Aug 27, 2018 11:00 AM ET

At Humana, one way we improve the health of our communities is by thriving together with our healthcare partners.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

LA Kings to Purchase and Distribute Emergency Safety Kits to Local Schools With Proceeds From Taste of The South Bay Event

Aug 27, 2018 11:00 AM ET

AEG’s Los Angeles Kings and the Kings Care Foundation announced the club will use the proceeds from this year’s Taste of the South Bay event on Thursday, August 23 to purchase emergency safety kits to equip South Bay classrooms.

The announcement was made as the Kings hosted Taste of the South Bay presented by The DOMO Group. The 10th annual Taste of the South Bay event is an upscale, food-centric social event at Shade Hotel’s beautiful location in Redondo Beach.

Diversity & Inclusion

Symantec Herndon Employees Making a Difference Through Mentoring

Aug 27, 2018 10:40 AM ET

Entering into the corporate world as a new professional can be daunting. The workplace, while exciting and rewarding, has opportunities and challenges to navigate at every turn – how to communicate, collaborate, negotiate, network effectively – how to navigate challenging or difficult situations. For many, you may have had a glimpse into professional life through a role model, be it a parent, relative, friend or professor.

Events, Media & Communications

Get a Sneak Peek at This Year's 3BL Forum

Aug 27, 2018 10:30 AM ET

For three fast-paced and dynamic days, 3BL Forum: Brands Taking Stands – The Long View will showcase corporate voices on bridging the divide between investor relations and corporate responsibility, the 'why' and 'how' behind corporate decision-making on corporate responsibility, sustainability, and when to take a stand.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Registration for 2018 America Recycles Day Now Open

Aug 27, 2018 10:30 AM ET

Keep America Beautiful’s America Recycles Day, the only nationally-recognized day dedicated to promoting and celebrating recycling in the United States, has opened registration for businesses, community organizations, government entities, individuals and others planning to host an America Recycles Day-themed event.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Aflac Makes 2018 List of Best Employers for Latinos

Aug 27, 2018 10:20 AM ET

Latino Leaders researched the top employers for Latinos, using such criteria as number of Latino employees; programs to recruit, promote and retain Latinos; outreach programs (both internal and external); and Latino representation in the boardroom, management and supply chain.

Environment

Engaging Employees on the Environment

Aug 27, 2018 10:15 AM ET

In 2017, MetLife mobilized more than 10,000 employees through Our Green Impact, our company-wide program to empower employees to reduce environmental impact at the office, at home and in our communities. Employees learn from sustainability experts through our quarterly speaker series, share tips through newsletters and discussion boards, and volunteer in their communities throughout the year. In 2017, MetLife employees and their families contributed more than 1,000 hours to park and beach clean-ups, tree plantings and other environmental service projects.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Why Finding out Your Credit Score Won’t Hurt You

Aug 27, 2018 9:55 AM ET

One day you look up and you realize, it’s happened, you’re an adult. You file taxes, you vote, you’re an independent member of society. The moment has come. You should find out what your credit score is.

Events, Media & Communications

The State of Corporate Responsibility in South Florida: First Impressions

Aug 27, 2018 9:25 AM ET

Health & Healthcare

Mental Health Education in London

Aug 27, 2018 9:05 AM ET

In conjunction with Northern Trust’s Global Fund Services (GFS) group, our disability business resource council (DBRC) has launched a program of support, awareness and education around mental health at work. Although one-in-four people in the UK will experience mental ill-health, and sickness absence due to mental health issues is rising, mental health is still a highly stigmatized subject. This discrepency poses a significant problem to workplaces.

Responsible Production & Consumption

How Green Is Your Paper? The Answer Isn’t Black or White

Aug 27, 2018 9:00 AM ET

For years, people have debated the question of whether paper derived from wood pulp can truly be environmentally friendly. To answer this question, you must consider the sustainability of the source of the wood or other materials used for fiber production, the amount of fiber, water, energy, and other resources used in production, the amount and fate of pollutants generated during the production process, and the potential recyclability or biodegradability of the end product. In short, the entire product life-cycle. Such an assessment clearly lies beyond the ability of the average consumer. But fortunately, the latest version of the Environmental Paper Network’s Paper Calculator makes the job much easier for governmental, NGO, institutional and corporate purchasers.

Green Infrastructure

Green Building Certifications at All Time High in Nation’s Largest Metros

Aug 24, 2018 4:50 PM ET

The nation’s largest cities are getting even greener, according to the fifth annual U.S. Green Building Adoption Index by CBRE and Maastricht University. Researchers have found green certified office space across America’s 30 largest metros has reached 41 percent of market totals – the highest in the index’s history.

Education

A Poetic Journey Into Science Education: The Italian PDI Experience

Aug 24, 2018 4:10 PM ET

Ask Anna Pascucci about her experience becoming involved with the Amgen Biotech Experience (ABE) program and her responses are poetic, romantic even:

Sustainable Development Goals

Cleaning Our Oceans Begins on Land

Aug 24, 2018 2:00 PM ET

Whether beach strolling on the east coast of the United States or along Manila Bay, you can expect to see a sharp contrast between natural beauty and a spectacle of plastic waste. Sullied beaches are just one manifestation of an ecological crisis that continues to expand unabated as the hand-wringing and debate struggles to yield substantive commitments to address the waste challenge. Worldwide, 73 percent of beach litter is plastic, the ubiquitous material that benefits and harms our wellbeing in equal measures.

Energy

Duke Energy Linemen Win Regional Contest; Advance to International Lineman's Rodeo

Aug 24, 2018 1:00 PM ET

Fifteen Duke Energy apprentice and journeyman lineworkers from Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky earned the right to advance to the International Lineman's Rodeo in Bonner Springs, Kans., Oct. 12-13, after competing in the Duke Energy Midwest Lineman's Rodeo in Plainfield on Aug. 11.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Boosting Local Economies by Supporting Diverse Suppliers

Aug 24, 2018 12:50 PM ET

When World Wide Technology (WWT) first started reselling Dell computers in 1990, the minority-owned company had just seven employees in St. Louis. Today WWT is a global technology solution provider with $10.4 billion in annual revenue and more than 4,600 employees. And the company received the 2017 Dell EMC North America Partner of the Year Award.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Building More Resilient Communities | Taproot Foundation's Advisory Services Newsletter

Aug 24, 2018 12:30 PM ET

In this edition of the Advisory Services newsletter, we share examples of how pro bono can help communities around the globe prepare for natural disasters. We discuss how to engage even your busiest employees in pro bono service. And we look at a pro bono program model that began in the U.S. and has been replicated successfully abroad.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

You Can Change Your Workplace, Here Are Four Ways To Start

Aug 24, 2018 12:00 PM ET

A company’s decision to remove plastic straws from their kitchen doesn’t just affect their kitchen, it encourages straw production companies to come up with more environmentally friendly options and it cuts down on the company’s own footprint. Bacardi, for instance, has committed to using its platform to impact change within its own company and outside of it. With the launch of its #TheFutureDoesntSuck campaign the company aims to remove one billion single-use plastic straws by 2020 through a personal commitment to ban plastic straws at any Bacardi sponsored event, as well as a larger promise to curb unnecessary use of plastic in its supply chains. The company has promised to use its platform to spark collaborations that will promote environmental efforts across all industries.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Greening Financial Systems, from a UN Environment Perspective

Aug 24, 2018 12:00 PM ET

Erb alumnus Marcos Mancini is a country manager in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Inquiry into the Design of a Sustainable Financial System. He talked with Erb about the inquiry’s work and the sustainable finance issues involved.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

VIDEO: UNICEF and LIXIL to “Make a Splash” and Help Bring Sanitation to Children Around the World

Aug 24, 2018 11:30 AM ET

UNICEF, the world’s leading children’s organization, and LIXIL, a maker of pioneering water and housing products, are coming together in a new partnership to help vulnerable children gain access to safe and clean toilets.

The partnership, named “Make a Splash! Toilets for All”, will leverage the two organizations’ complementary strengths to support progress towards the Sustainable Development Goal of achieving access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all, and end open defecation by 2030.