ESG News from Leading Brands

Keep up with the latest environmental, social and governance news from companies embracing the triple bottom line, shared via 3BL's distribution platform.

Sustainable Development Goals

Over 60 Stock Exchanges Around the World to Ring the Bell for Gender Equality

In celebration of International Women’s Day, over 60 stock exchanges around the world are joining the United Nations Global Compact, Global Compact Local Networks and their partners to host bell ringing ceremonies in support of gender equality. Held throughout March, these bell-ringing events aim to raise awareness about the business case for women’s economic empowerment and underscore opportunities for the private sector to advance gender equality and sustainable development.

Media & Communications

Carolyn S. Berkowitz Appointed New President and CEO of the Association of Corporate Citizenship Professionals

The Association of Corporate Citizenship Professionals (ACCP) has announced the appointment of Carolyn S. Berkowitz as their new President and CEO. Ms. Berkowitz will assume responsibilities on July 2, 2018 and will succeed Mark W. Shamley, who had served as President and CEO since August of 2007.

Diversity & Inclusion

Walmart's Sourcing From Women-Owned Suppliers Drives Business

Even with the growth in women-owned businesses, these suppliers are having difficulty competing for corporate and government contracts and earning less than 1% of the money spent by the organizations, according to Elizabeth Vazquez, CEO and co-founder of WEConnect International, who helped create the corporate-led global nonprofit to educate and connect WOB with qualified buyers dedicated to diversifying their supply chains.

Events, Media & Communications

GM Reaffirms Path to an All-Electric, Zero Emissions Future

Speaking at the annual CERAWeek energy conference in Houston on Wed., March 7, 2018, General Motors Chairman and CEO Mary Barra reaffirmed the company’s strategy for a world with zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion.

Diversity & Inclusion

VIDEO | Insights From Alliance Data's Female Leaders This International Women's Day

International Women’s Day shines a light on everyone’s talent. The day highlights the strengths and the ability that women have to lead us and help us be more successful. With more than 55% of our associate population comprised of women here at Alliance Data, we are recognizing this day not only for our female associates, but similarly for the 9,000 men who also make Alliance Data a best place to work.

Diversity & Inclusion

217 Years to Women’s Equality? Not on Viacom’s Watch

The World Economic Forum is concerned that, if nothing changes, full global gender parity is likely 217 years away.

Viacom thinks that we should start closing that gap today.

Today, March 8, is a good day for it: it’s International Women’s Day (IWD), an annual celebration of change-makers fighting for gender equality. Viacom, along with other media companies, nonprofit organizations, charities, politicians, entrepreneurs and activists around the globe, will celebrate women in a tradition dating back to the suffrage movements of the early 20th century.

Events, Media & Communications

VIDEO | Tackling Climate Change Through the Circular Economy

Watch Maria Mendiluce, Managing Director at WBCSD, outline the circular economy and the action that business can take in her speech at TEDxDonauinsel.

Education

Overcoming the Bravery Deficit

Originally, Girls Who Code was an experiment with a single mission: to close the gender gap in technology. In its first year, we taught a group of 20 girls to code in one classroom in New York City. Fast forward to today, and Girls Who Code is a national movement that will reach 50,000 girls in all 50 U.S. states by early 2018.

Research, Reports & Publications

WATCH: Geisha Williams, PG&E, CEO and President

Geisha Williams, CEO and president of PG&E talks about the opportunities for utilities to capitalize on decarbonization of the transportation sector. Learn more about how utilities are making progress towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Ceres new analysis, Turning Point: Corporate Progress Against the Ceres Roadmap for Sustainability, at www.ceres.org/turningpoint.

Energy

Allen: Embracing Clean Energy Helps Companies and Communities Thrive

In January, I spent a day in Richmond meeting with lawmakers to share why clean energy matters to Mars Inc., and to emphasize our support for access to renewable energy and efforts to reduce carbon emissions. Together with other Virginia-based companies, we outlined the value of clean energy and emission-reduction policies for companies like Mars that are looking to grow their business and invest in sustainable solutions that provide mutual benefits for customers and communities.

Diversity & Inclusion

Destined for Greatness: 5 Places Where Women Made History

Sure, you can crack open a history book to read about the courageous women who fought for women’s rights over the years. But why just read about them when you can take a walk in these women’s shoes, and visit the places where they took a stand? In honor of International Women’s Day, we’re sharing 5 places we fly where you can get inspired by the powerful women who have paved the way for women today.

Education

Carnegie Science Center’s Little Learner Clubhouse, Powered by PNC Grow Up Great, Provides Space to Explore STEM Skills

Aspiring scientists age 6 and under have a new exhibit space to explore at Carnegie Science Center. Little Learner Clubhouse, powered by PNC Grow Up Great®, is a nature-inspired hub for free-play and hands-on activities that opened to the public on Saturday, March 3, 2018.

Energy

A Map for New Hampshire’s Energy Future

New Hampshire faces both challenges and opportunities in the transition to a reliable and affordable clean energy future. From infrastructure investments to workforce development, rising energy costs, and more, there is much to consider as the Granite State looks to increase our competitiveness and expand our energy options.

Environment

Cascadian Farm Invests in Soil Health Research Across Organic Oat Supply Chain With Grain Millers

Cascadian Farm, a pioneer in the organic food movement, and parent company General Mills, announced a five-year $125,000 contribution to Grain Millers to support soil health research on oat farms in the Upper Midwest. Research findings and best practices will be shared at field day events to help advance environmental and economical outcomes for farmers.

Health & Healthcare

Catalyzing Progress for Gender Parity through Global Health Partnerships

Health impacts multiple aspects of women’s daily lives, yet many lack access to quality care. In support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, we at Pfizer are committed to advancing Global Goal 5, gender equality, by improving access to equitable healthcare for women in underserved communities.

Diversity & Inclusion

The Future is Female: Break Through Ideas for Women in Foodservice

As we celebrate Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day this week, I’m spending it with 50 of my Wendy’s colleagues at the Women’s Foodservice Forum (WFF) Annual Leadership Development Conference in Dallas. Together with thousands of other women – and a few men – in our industry, we’re celebrating women in leadership positions while also navigating the difficult conversation of gender equity in the workplace. I’m coming away from it both hopeful and now armed with powerful tools and a community of colleagues championing the same vision.

Diversity & Inclusion

Spotlight: Susan Morris, Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer of Albertsons Companies on the Financial Power of Women

I’d like to believe that future editions of history books will herald each International Women’s Day as an increasingly powerful and impactful day of change. I hope that, each year, the day yields an idea, a hashtag or a movement of historical and monumental proportions. I hope that, each year, the day is one we’ll never forget.

Diversity & Inclusion

Betsy Duke — A Career of Firsts in Leadership

As she relaxed on a Saturday afternoon in 1991, Betsy Duke received a phone call that would change her life. Her mentor and boss at a community bank in Virginia, the Bank of Tidewater, had died from a heart attack. Twenty-four hours later, Duke became one of the state’s first female banking CEOs.

Diversity & Inclusion

American Express Names Sonia Cargan as Chief Diversity Officer

American Express today announced the appointment of Sonia Cargan as the chief diversity officer. In this role, Cargan will be responsible for ensuring American Express remains an employer of choice among top diverse talent and drives collective success through the development of inclusive teams and a collaborative work environment.

Diversity & Inclusion

GRI Newsletter: International Women's Day Edition

On International Women’s Day, GRI wants to highlight how transparency can help organizations work towards gender equality. This month's newsletter features several examples of how the GRI Standards and GRI’s services help companies better understand their impacts on gender.

Diversity & Inclusion

Tata Consultancy Services Spreads Its Message of Democratizing Access at This Year’s International Women’s Day Forum

On March 7, Balaji Ganapathy, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) Head of Workforce Effectiveness in North America, joined an esteemed panel of speakers in Washington D.C., at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and U.S. Department of State’s eighth International Women's Day Forum, Partner With Purpose: Business for Gender Equality.

Responsible Production & Consumption

General Mills Helps Transition 34,000 Acres Into Organic Farmland

General Mills today announced a strategic sourcing agreement with Gunsmoke Farms LLC to convert 34,000 acres of conventional farmland to certified organic acreage by 2020. The farm, located west of Pierre, South Dakota, will grow certified organic wheat and other organic rotational crops. General Mills will use wheat grown on the farm to make Annie’s pasta products, including its signature Mac and Cheese.

Media & Communications

Domtar Improves the Paper Trail, Providing Increased Supply Chain Transparency for Pulp and Paper Products

Domtar Corporation today announced improvements to its award-winning supply chain transparency tool, The Paper Trail® (www.domtarpapertrail.com), offering customers a deeper look into the company’s products and the people and places behind their manufacture.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

New Sponsorship Pairs Aflac and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals 
to Help Defeat Childhood Cancer

Aflac, the leader in voluntary insurance sales at the worksite in the United States and a committed corporate ally for families facing childhood cancer, today announced an agreement with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals® (CMN Hospitals) to sponsor several key CMN Hospitals events throughout the year, including the second annual #ChildrensHospitalsWeek, which is this week. Aflac will also sponsor the CMN Dance Marathon Leadership Conference in July and five select Miracle Network Dance Marathon events held at universities across the country.

Environment

Consumers Energy’s New Renewable Energy Program Helps Switch and General Motors in Michigan

General Motors and Switch are the first participants in a new Consumers Energy program to help large businesses use large renewable energy sources. Both companies are now matching 100 percent of their electric use at key operations in Michigan with wind-generated power.

Latest Campaigns

  1. Water
    Evolve with the Water IndustryPartner with Black & Veatch to make water supplies more resilient for providers, more affordable for customers, and more...
  2. ESG Talk: Season Three
    The ESG Talk podcast features candid conversations with business leaders from around the world. In season three, co-hosts Mandi McReynolds, Steve...
  3. Aflac in the Community
    Learn more about Aflac’s culture of care and how it sits at the heart of all we do.
  4. Performance
    Prioritizing ethics, economic contribution, operational excellence, integrity, and accountability in all we do.
  5. Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG)
    The business landscape is reorienting itself and you can almost hear priorities shifting toward change-readiness and the bigger picture. And in this...
  6. Environment
    We are committed to integrating environmental stewardship into the way we operate. We recognize the importance of the environment in creating a...
  7. People: Achieving Excellence Through Safety, Efficiency, and Partnership
    Our vision is simple and clear: to be a best-in-class employer delivering innovative products and experiences for our customers. Our focus on...
  8. KeyBank Foundation: Helping Communities Thrive through Education, Workforce Development, and Service
    KeyBank Foundation helps build thriving communities by supporting organizations and programs that foster thriving students and a thriving workforce...
  9. Kingfisher Around the World
    The SCS Kingfisher certification mark is showing up on an increasing number of products around the world. It differentiates companies that are making...
  10. Principal Financial Group: Global Inclusion
    Principal is committed to fostering a culture that empowers our employees and demands the best of our leadership by attracting and retaining great...
  11. Investing in our Communities
    We invest in sustainable community outcomes that improve lives.
  12. Social Progress
    Social engagement has always been an integral part of our sense of responsibility as a company. We care and we act to do our part to improve the...
  13. License to Operate
    Corporate governance, risk management, operational integrity, and regulatory compliance are demanding challenges that companies face in today’s ever...
  14. CARE Corporate Partnerships
    CARE works with corporate partners globally to invest in innovative, scalable, impactful, community-based solutions.
  15. CARE Corporate Partnerships
    CARE works with corporate partners globally to invest in innovative, scalable, impactful, community-based solutions.