ESG News from Leading Brands

Innovation & Technology

Working and Living on Mars: Students Win National Generation Beyond Competition to Design Orbiting Science Lab, Living Space for Astronauts on Mars Mission

Apr 9, 2018 4:15 PM ET

Lockheed Martin is working on technologies that will make deep-space travel possible, like building the spacecraft that will go to Mars. As part of its Generation Beyond K-12 science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education initiative – developed in partnership with Discovery Education – the company on Friday announced the winners of a nationwide contest asking students to design a Mars-orbiting science lab and living spaces, or Mars Base Camp Habitation Module, that will dock with NASA’s Orion deep space spacecraft.

Health & Healthcare

Merck Commemorates 60th Anniversary of Medical Outreach Program with $300,000 Grant

Apr 9, 2018 3:20 PM ET

Merck, known as MSD outside of the U.S. and Canada, announced today that it is offering $300,000 in grants to the non-governmental organization (NGO) partners in the Merck Medical Outreach Program (MMOP) in commemoration of the program’s 60th anniversary.

Green Infrastructure

Evolving WELL™

Apr 9, 2018 3:00 PM ET

Eight global roundtables attended by more than 350 organizations. Hundreds of alternative adherence paths (AAPs) that open up new strategies and pathways for projects, along with 195 equivalency submissions that support WELL’s global adoption. 632 amendments in seven addenda updates that provided continuous improvements. Thousands of conversations with real estate leaders, architects, interior designers, sustainability consultants, academic researchers, health care practitioners, and human resource professionals from all over the world. This is how you evolve a global rating system for buildings when the focus is on no less than improving the health and wellness for the people inside them.

Research, Reports & Publications

Erb Institute Featured Business Sustainability Case Study: Seventh Generation and Unilever: Would an Acquisition Affect Sustainability?

Apr 9, 2018 3:00 PM ET

Diversity & Inclusion

Why We Cannot Innovate Without Inclusion

Apr 9, 2018 2:00 PM ET

Recently about 50 social impact executives came to Philadelphia for a two-day Learning Journey to explore the state of technology and inclusive innovation. Hosted by Comcast NBCUniversal and the Social Innovation Summit, the exploration featured intimate discussions with city leaders like Mayor Jim Kenney, University of Pennsylvania President Dr. Amy Gutmann, Superintendent Dr. William Hite, Saxbys Founder and CEO Nick Bayer, local startup founders and other community leaders. Dalila Wilson-Scott, senior vice president of Community Impact at Comcast NBCUniversal, discusses why technology and inclusive innovation is critical.

Education

Your Vision, Our Future

Apr 9, 2018 2:00 PM ET

Students of today live in an interconnected, diverse, and rapidly changing world. Emerging economic, digital, cultural, demographic, and environmental forces are shaping young people’s lives around the globe, and increasing their intercultural interactions on a daily basis. This complex environment presents an opportunity and a challenge. Young people today must not only learn to participate in a more interconnected world, but also to appreciate and benefit from its cultural differences. Developing competencies to operate effectively in this new global context is a process – a lifelong process – that education can shape.

Energy

Duke Energy Florida Nears Completion of State-of-the-art Natural Gas Plant

Apr 9, 2018 1:40 PM ET

Duke Energy Florida's state-of-the-art natural gas plant in Citrus County is on track to deliver cleaner, more reliable energy for Floridians. The 1,640-megawatt combined-cycle, two-unit plant will use clean-burning natural gas and highly efficient technology to provide reliable and cleaner energy to 1.8 million Florida customers in 35 counties.

Environment

Celebrating Recycling Routes

Apr 9, 2018 12:00 PM ET

Tetra Pak Brazil is celebrating ten years since the launch of its Recycling Route (www.rotadareciclagem.com.br). This is a website that offers consumers a simple way of finding recycling collection points in various cities across Brazil. Since its launch in 2008, more than 1.3 million visitors have used the website to find their way to a recycling collection point.

Health & Healthcare

How New Technology Is Helping Children Cope With Cancer

Apr 9, 2018 11:55 AM ET

Many parents and doctors are finding that new technology can help young patients better communicate their feelings and manage their condition.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Stephanie Stanton Leads Corporate Social Responsibility Program at the Venetian and the Palazzo

Apr 9, 2018 11:45 AM ET

Sands Cares, the corporate giving program of Las Vegas Sands, is the company’s manifested commitment to being a good corporate citizen, committed to its people, communities in which it operates and the planet. In each region, Sands Cares has Corporate Social Responsibility leads that manage the program and execute initiatives unique to each region.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

MetLife Foundation and Verb Launch Competition to Improve Financial Health in the U.S.

Apr 9, 2018 11:00 AM ET

MetLife Foundation and Verb announced today the launch of Inclusion Plus in the United States as part of a global competition for entrepreneurs, nonprofits and other social impact organizations focused on addressing the financial health needs of low- to moderate-income people.

Diversity & Inclusion

NBA Fine-Tunes to Make a Sensory-Inclusive Experience

Apr 9, 2018 10:30 AM ET

Recently, brands have begun to reassess their products or services to promote acceptance and inclusion – creating accessible card games for colorblind players and supporting rock climbing para-athletes. The National Autistic Society even used VR to show individuals how chaotic a simple shopping experience can be for children with autism, inspiring empathy and understanding from shoppers. Now, as more companies focus on inclusivity, the NBA is acknowledging its autistic fans – evolving empathy into action.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Cement Technology Roadmap Shows How the Path to Achieve CO2 Reductions up to 24% by 2050

Apr 9, 2018 9:45 AM ET

A combination of technology and policy solutions could provide a pathway to reduce direct carbon dioxide emissions from the cement industry by 24% below current levels by 2050, according to a new report by the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the Cement Sustainability Initiative (CSI).

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

At Children’s Hospitals, Graphic Prints Do More Than Decorate Rooms

Apr 9, 2018 9:20 AM ET

How did nature make its way into an environment that can often be severe and frightening? HP partnered with the nonprofit Fundación Juegaterapia, which is dedicated to transforming the experience of hospital stays for children, to revamp the treatment center using HP’s unparalleled graphic printing technology.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

For the 2018 Urban Photographer of the Year, the Focus is Narrative and Connectivity

Apr 9, 2018 9:05 AM ET

Every year, CBRE’s Urban Photographer of the Year (UPOTY) competition challenges professional and amateur photographers alike to capture these moments of connectivity across the daily cycle of life. For the 2018 CBRE UPOTY, judges sought pictures that emphasized the power of the connections happening in and around cities. Winners were announced this week.

Plan International, CBRE’s EMEA charity partner, was involved in the competition for the fourth year. CBRE made a donation to Plan International for the first 10,000 entries received in this year’s competition, supporting the global NGO’s work in advancing children’s rights and equality for girls.

Sustainable Development Goals

9 Tips to Better Market Yourself as an International Development Professional

Apr 9, 2018 9:00 AM ET

In her article, Siobhan focuses on ways that job seekers in the international development industry can better market themselves and their experience to stand out in a very competitive job market. She provides tips to improving resumes and online presence, leveraging an individual’s unique selling points, and conducting a more proactive job search. Siobhan also discusses best practices for interviews.

Education

Inspiring Teachers Through the Amgen Biotech Experience

Apr 9, 2018 8:35 AM ET

The Amgen Biotech Experience (ABE) is an innovative science education program that provides high school teachers with the tools to teach biotechnology in their classrooms. In this video, teachers and alumni share their experience in participating in the program.

Research, Reports & Publications

Zero Waste, Carbon Neutral and 90% Organic by 2025

Apr 9, 2018 5:00 AM ET

Zero waste, carbon neutral and 90% organic by 2025. These are just three of eight commitments that one of European’s leading companies in healthy and sustainable food has revealed in its Integrated Annual Report.

Environment

LA Kings Team up With Coca-Cola and STAPLES Center for Earth Month Recycling Drive

Apr 6, 2018 8:15 PM ET

AEG’s LA Kings are partnering with Coca-Cola and STAPLES Center to restore double the amount of water used at STAPLES Center during Earth Month.

Media & Communications

NH Liquor Commission & Jack Daniel’s Launch Annual Live Free & Host Responsibly Campaign

Apr 6, 2018 3:45 PM ET

For the fourth consecutive year, the New Hampshire Liquor Commission (NHLC) and Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey are teaming up for the award-winning Live Free & Host Responsibly campaign. Since its launch in 2015, the Live Free & Host Responsibly campaign has reached thousands of NH Liquor & Wine Outlet customers, promoting responsible service and consumption of alcohol. This first-of-its-kind collaboration between a control state and a fine wine and spirits company has become a model for the industry, gaining widespread attention and industry praise.

Environment

Los Angeles Plugs in Giant Solar Array at Los Angeles Convention Center

Apr 6, 2018 3:00 PM ET

The Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC), managed by AEG Facilities, recently unveiled its 2.21 megawatt solar array on April 4, during a press conference with Mayor Eric Garcetti. Located on the roof of South Hall, the solar addition brings the convention center’s total solar to 2.58 megawatts, making it the largest solar array on a municipally owned convention center in the United States and propelling the City of Los Angeles to No. 1 for the most installed solar power of any U.S. city.

Events, Media & Communications

Aging Purposefully: Key Insights From Aging in America 2018

Apr 6, 2018 3:00 PM ET

Once a year AIA brings together industry, government, and nonprofit leaders as well as consumer advocates to discuss what it means to grow old in our country, from social activism to health impact, retirement and home building design.

Health & Healthcare

Managing the Miles and the Mind

Apr 6, 2018 2:00 PM ET

Marathons inspire keen runner Rajiv Mishra, Managing Director of CLP India, to see the single-mindedness of purpose as the key to both work and life. He also finds it important to set an example through actions, stay humble, treat everyone with respect and listen to his colleagues as a leader.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

CECP’s Strategic Investor Initiative Brings CEO Investor Forum and Effort to End Corporate “Short-Termism” to West Coast

Apr 6, 2018 1:15 PM ET

CECP: The CEO Force for Good announced that its Strategic Investor Initiative (SII) will host the CEOs of PG&E Corporation and Wells Fargo at a CEO Investor Forum on April 19, 2018, at NASDAQ in San Francisco, CA. This invitation-only event is SII’s fourth CEO Investor Forum and the first to be held on the West Coast. Investors and media interested in attending should register through SII’s web site. Registration closes this week.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Igniting Creativity and Teamwork at Marina Bay Sands

Apr 6, 2018 12:15 PM ET

Introduced most recently at the OneMBS Champions team bonding session and OneMBS Achievers Award ceremony, IGNITE – which stands for Identify, Generate, Navigate, Initiate, Transform and Evaluate – is a flexible toolset specifically developed for continuous improvement at Marina Bay Sands. The program is set up to engage Team Members by equipping them with the mindset to believe that they can get better at their jobs by challenging the status quo, the skillset to harness creativity of other Team Members to effectively manage change within the workplace, and the toolset to identify root causes and create innovative solutions.