ESG News from Leading Brands

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Hallmark Donated $10.7 Million and 53K Volunteer Hours in 2017

Aug 23, 2018 3:15 PM ET

In 2017, Hallmark and its businesses contributed nearly $11 million in product and financial contributions to non- profit
organizations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Asia-Pacific and Europe. At the same time, employees at all levels of the organization volunteered their time and talents to provide more than 53,000 hours of volunteer service — nearly two hours for every one of its world- wide employees.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Joint Training Strengthens Disaster Response

Aug 23, 2018 3:00 PM ET

In 2015, when the call came in of an oil spill off of Refugio State Beach in Santa Barbara County, emergency officials immediately leaped into action. Santa Barbara County’s Office of Emergency Management, Plains All American Pipeline, Southern California Edison, the U.S. Coast Guard, California Department of Fish & Wildlife and a host of local, state and federal agencies responded. They organized under the Incident Command System, an organizational structure used across the country to respond to wildfires, floods, earthquakes and other disasters.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Benevity Expands Global Corporate Giving and Employee Engagement Solution

Aug 23, 2018 2:35 PM ET

The latest expansion to Benevity's market-leading international CSR offering enables companies in Germany to engage people in local volunteering and tax-receiptable giving to German charities as a way to build a more purpose-driven and socially responsible corporate culture.

Energy

A Behind-the-Scenes Look at How the Makers of M&M’s Source Renewable Energy

Aug 23, 2018 2:30 PM ET

We recently heard from Mars, Incorporated’s chief procurement and sustainability officer, Barry Parkin, about the company’s plan to tackle its ambitious climate goals in an EDF+Business “Business of Sustainability” podcast. Their Sustainable in a Generation plan details Mars’ commitment to procure 100 percent renewable energy. Mars is plowing full speed ahead toward these goals and recently, Mars Australia signed 20-year power purchase agreements (PPA) to generate the equivalent of 100 percent of Mars’ electricity from renewable energy by 2020.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Keeping the Dream of Education Alive Amid Conflict

Aug 23, 2018 2:20 PM ET

Inspired by UNICEF's commitment to education, innovative thinking and community-based approach to delivering learning to Syria's children, our Foundation has contributed $100,000 to support UNICEF's Self-Learning Program.

Diversity & Inclusion

Walmart Hires More Than 206,000 U.S. Military Veterans and Promotes More Than 30,000 Since the Launch of the Veterans Welcome Home Commitment

Aug 23, 2018 2:05 PM ET

Today, Walmart announced that the company has hired more than 206,000 veterans and promoted more than 30,000 to roles with higher pay and greater responsibility since launching its Veterans Welcome Home Commitment in May 2013.

Sustainable Development Goals

Verizon Employees Cheer on Middle School Students Heading Back to School

Aug 23, 2018 2:00 PM ET

All across the U.S. this week, kids arriving for their first day of school are being met with cheers, applause and high fives. It’s part of a nationwide “Clap-In” given by Verizon employees to welcome students into Verizon Innovative Learning, a transformative program that gives a free tablet and internet access to every student and teacher, and provides extensive teacher training, support, and a unique, immersive curriculum.

Green Infrastructure

How the Right Screen Can Increase a Home’s Energy Efficiency

Aug 23, 2018 12:50 PM ET

The window screen is engineered to do more than block out mosquitoes, spiders and pesky flies. It’s a critical part of the ventilation system of a house, particularly in the summer. And when a house – and its windows – are constructed well, those open, protected apertures can often reduce the dependency on high-emissions, expensive air conditioning systems.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Expert Predicts Every Day Trends That Won’t Exist In The Future

Aug 23, 2018 12:30 PM ET

Working alongside BACARDÍ® rum, who has collaborated with the award-winning non-profit organisation Lonely Whale to secure commitments from bars, restaurants and venues in a goal to remove 50 million single-use plastic straws from London this summer by asking them to become 100% single-use plastic straw-free, expert forecaster Jacqui Ma has looked at trend developments throughout the decades and revealed which trends she believes will cease to exist in the future, such as the use of plastic straws, a fashion that only developed in the 1980’s.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Tackling Hunger and Homelessness in Las Vegas

Aug 23, 2018 12:20 PM ET

With homelessness as a critical social issue in Southern Nevada, Las Vegas Sands properties in Las Vegas held a month-long food drive in partnership with Three Square for the Bag Childhood Hunger Campaign.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Consumers Energy Employee’s Memory Helps Save Dog From Michigan House Fire

Aug 23, 2018 12:20 PM ET

Consumers Energy Howell industrial gas service worker Guy Houseman is a dedicated employee and devoted animal lover. Those two traits recently played a key role that resulted in a lifesaving effort of the four-legged kind.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Duke Energy Selects Six Companies to Receive Power Partner Award

Aug 23, 2018 12:00 PM ET

For the 25th consecutive year, Duke Energy has selected six outstanding organizations to receive the company's prestigious Power Partner award. Duke Energy established the Power Partner award in 1992 to honor businesses and other organizations that achieve exemplary results in categories that include solutions innovation, community excellence, economic development, sustainability innovation and storm restoration. Each of the 2018 Power Partners will be recognized at individual award ceremonies later this year.

Media & Communications

4 Workplace Safety Lessons From Villainous Comic Book Characters

Aug 23, 2018 11:45 AM ET

Ever wondered how the Joker became the Joker? Find out 4 wicked workplace safety hazards that created famous villains (and Antea Group's ideas for fixing these issues).

Research, Reports & Publications

Corporate Activism Is Focus of Research Study by 3BL Media, GlobeScan

Aug 23, 2018 11:25 AM ET

3BL Media has partnered with the independent research consultancy GlobeScan to conduct the first Brands Taking Stands research study.

Diversity & Inclusion

VIDEO | Aflac Hosts Annual Bold Moves Summer Program at Girls Inc.

Aug 23, 2018 11:10 AM ET

Aflac hosted its annual Bold Moves Summer Program at Girls Inc. earlier this summer.

Environment

The Offices Are Greener in Chicago for a Second Straight Year

Aug 23, 2018 11:05 AM ET

Chicago is the greenest U.S. city to work in for the second year running, with about 70 percent of its office space now certified for environmental efficiency, a new study shows.

Education

Altron Arrow Mobilize Youth Skills Development in South Africa

Aug 23, 2018 11:05 AM ET

In June, Altron Arrow partnered with Resolution Circle to educate 120 South African students in engineering, mobile phone skills and battery repairs.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Sysco Committed to Ending Hunger Through Nourishing Neighbors Program

Aug 23, 2018 10:35 AM ET

As the world’s largest foodservice distributor, Sysco is committed to ending hunger and making wholesome food available where it’s needed most. With our U.S.-wide Nourishing Neighbors program, a portion of each Local Sysco Brand case sold will be donated to charitable organizations. At least 75 percent of our donations go toward supporting organizations that work to eliminate hunger.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Lowe’s Champions Underserved Communities With Volunteers and Nearly $8 Million to Keep America Beautiful

Aug 23, 2018 10:30 AM ET

Keep America Beautiful’s longtime partner Lowe’s has donated an additional $1 million to the national nonprofit in 2018 to fund 44 grassroots initiatives as well as Keep America Beautiful’s annual Great American Cleanup, the nation’s largest community improvement program.

Innovation & Technology

PNC: Chip Burning Sparks Concern for Consumers

Aug 23, 2018 10:15 AM ET

It was only a matter of time. The introduction of new technology starts the clock ticking for criminals in a race to figure out how to crack it. Just as consumers became accustomed to inserting their credit or debit card for a purchase instead of swiping at the point of sale, fraudsters have applied cunning creativity to breach the security of chip cards. And it is the chip itself that has become the focus of the fraudsters through chip burning.

Environment

Making HP as Green as it Can Be: What We Did in 2017

Aug 23, 2018 10:05 AM ET

When most people hear the word “sustainability,” they instantly think of recycling. And while creating new products out of reusable materials is one of our biggest goals, it is not by any means the only one. Strengthening the planet, its people and our communities isn’t just our responsibility as an influential participant in the global market — it’s vital to the longevity of our business. That’s why we aim to create a business that has lasting sustainable impact on the world. Since 2001, we’ve reported on our progress annually, tracking our achievements against our goals so we can keep setting the bar higher.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

VIDEO | How Bankers Can Help Charities with Their Strategic Priorities

Aug 23, 2018 9:50 AM ET

To enable their efforts to do good for others, charities also need to manage the commercial, structural and strategic aspects of their organisation well. For that, they need an expertise they may not necessarily have among staff members.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

eBay Announces Lansing, Michigan as its Second Retail Revival Partner City

Aug 23, 2018 9:50 AM ET

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

INFOGRAPHIC | ScottsMiracle-Gro Associates Garden to Give Back

Aug 23, 2018 9:05 AM ET

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Call for Entries: Keep America Beautiful 2018 National Awards Program Applications Open for Individuals and Organizations Dedicated to Transforming Public Spaces Into Beautiful Places

Aug 22, 2018 6:30 PM ET

Keep America Beautiful’s National Awards program annually recognizes and honors its network of community-based affiliates and leading corporate, nonprofit and government agency partners, as well as individual volunteers across the country, for their influence and impact in championing environmentally healthy, socially connected and economically sound communities.