ESG News from Leading Brands

Environment

Expert Interview With Leslie Turner, Drinking Water Expert

Mar 2, 2018 8:00 AM ET

Leslie Turner has more than 20 years of experience in planning, permitting, design, project management, and construction management for water programs throughout the Southeastern United States. She has served in a senior management role for numerous engineering programs including water treatment and distribution, wastewater collection and treatment, reclaimed water, and aquifer storage and recovery. She has extensive experience assisting clients with utility master planning and developing funding and capital improvement programs.

Diversity & Inclusion

The Scully Effect: Celebrating the X-Files’ Enduring Character Dana Scully and the Scientific Phenomenon She Inspired

Mar 1, 2018 7:30 PM ET

One of the longest-running science fiction series in network TV history, FOX’s The X-Files follows FBI special agents Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) and Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) as they investigate unexplained cases set aside by the government. A medical doctor and realist, Agent Scully is the foil to Agent Mulder’s conspiracy theorist character, and served as an early example of a strong female TV protagonist who inspired a generation of women to pursue careers in the sciences and law enforcement.

Education

Minecraft Hour of Code Introduces 85M+ to Computer Science

Mar 1, 2018 5:10 PM ET

“It’s about time!” Maine elementary school teacher and Code.org facilitator Mike Harvey laughs, recalling his reaction when Code.org partnered with Microsoft to launch the first Minecraft activity for the Hour of Code in 2015. An early adopter of Minecraft in the classroom, Mike thinks that it was a natural and logical outcome of what he called the “symbiotic relationship” between Code.org and Microsoft.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Republic Services and Habitat for Humanity of Denver Dedicate Affordable Homes to Local Families

Mar 1, 2018 4:00 PM ET

Republic Services partnered with Habitat for Humanity last year to help build and revitalize neighborhoods in communities across the country, one of those communities being Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver’s Sheridan Square. The local partnership includes a powerful combination of volunteer hours and financial support to help build a total of 16 new homes and to develop a community park.

Diversity & Inclusion

“A Victory for Common Sense” – Second Circuit Upholds LGBT Employee Rights

Mar 1, 2018 3:00 PM ET

In a victory for equality in the workplace, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit this morning held that the Civil Rights Act prohibits sexual orientation in employment. This ruling legally affirms the sentiment behind a petition that Viacom and 49 other major companies signed last summer.

“This ruling affirms the strong stand we have taken at Viacom – that there is no room in the workplace for discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation,” said Viacom Senior Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs Rick Baker. “This is a victory for equality, for the LGBT community, for businesses at large, and for common sense.”

Environment

Creative Cooperation: An In-Depth Look at the Innovative Dartmouth-Hitchcock Recycling Program

Mar 1, 2018 2:05 PM ET

HPRC’s latest blog describes how Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center forged a relationship with other entities to create a viable recycling program.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Ocado Repurposes Uniforms Through Unique Partnership

Mar 1, 2018 2:00 PM ET

More than a third of us wear a uniform at work. The problem with that is, as with most garments, when uniforms reach the end of their life they are merely tossed in the bin. In fact, a staggering 90% of the 33 million corporate garments given to staff every year end up in landfill. That adds up to 15,000 tonnes of clothing. The cost of waste disposal alone comes to £1.2m in Landfill Tax.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Natural Wonder: 2017 Nightingale Awards Best of Competition

Mar 1, 2018 1:45 PM ET

Lichen, a modular plank carpet system from Mohawk Group, was the Best of Competition winner in the 2017 Nightingale Awards. The collection blends concepts of sustainability and biophilic design.

Energy

Wells Fargo Joins Global Atlantic Financial and Origis Energy to Increase Clean Energy Supply for Southeast U.S.

Mar 1, 2018 1:30 PM ET

SAN FRANCISCO – Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC) Renewable Energy and Environmental Finance today announced it has completed $49 million in tax-equity funding for the new 540-acre solar generation facility known as MS Solar 3 in Sumrall, Mississippi. One of the Southeast’s biggest solar projects, it will generate enough clean energy to power more than 11,400 homes.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

OneWest Bank Wins Recognition At The 12th Annual Stevie® Awards

Mar 1, 2018 1:25 PM ET

Education

Edison NJ Mayor Lankey Speaks to goIT Students About STEM at Woodrow Wilson Middle School

Mar 1, 2018 12:55 PM ET

Energy

Bringing Renewable Energy to the Grid in the Rapidly Developing World

Mar 1, 2018 12:45 PM ET

As the demand for computing power grows exponentially, there has been a push from both outside of, and within the IT sector to reduce the carbon emissions and energy consumption associated with the world’s rapidly expanding IT infrastructure, which consists largely of data center facilities. The reality is that efficiency improvements won’t be enough to meet the exploding demand for data, and the compute power necessary to provide it.

Education

Informing Citizens of Tomorrow: How Discovery Education Connects with Classrooms

Mar 1, 2018 12:35 PM ET

For Discovery Education, partnerships that drive social impact in classrooms are a key component of our mission to improve learning for K-12 students. Discovery Education is the global leader in standards-based digital content for K-12, and transforms teaching and learning with award-winning digital textbooks, multimedia content, professional development and the largest professional learning community of its kind.

Research, Reports & Publications

New GRI Service to Improve CSR Report Quality

Mar 1, 2018 12:30 PM ET

GRI’s new Disclosure Review Service gives feedback on sustainability reports to help improve the quality of reporting. Apply now to get feedback on your company's ESG disclosures.

Environment

How General Mills' Natural Brands Make Climate a Priority

Mar 1, 2018 12:30 PM ET

From investing in sustainability enhancing technology to supporting regenerative agriculture programs, General Mills is taking on one of today's most pressing environmental issues.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Kimberly-Clark Recognized for Energy and Climate Leadership

Mar 1, 2018 12:00 PM ET

Kimberly-Clark Corporation today announced it has won a 2018 Climate Leadership Award for Excellence in the Greenhouse Gas Management (Goal Setting) category, the company’s second Climate Leadership Award in two years.

Green Infrastructure

With Great Wolf Set to Open, Leaders Focus on Exit 13 Beautification

Mar 1, 2018 11:15 AM ET

The City of LaGrange, GA is looking to make a good first impression on the 500,000 plus visitors who are expected to drive through the city on The Ray starting this spring.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

National Award Honors PNC for Its Community Legal Work

Mar 1, 2018 11:00 AM ET

PNC is recognized for its commitment to making a difference in the lives of those who otherwise could not afford to pay for legal services.
The national Pro Bono Institute gave its annual Laurie D. Zelon Pro Bono Award to the bank Feb. 22, 2018. The award is given to an individual or organization for exemplary pro bono service providing legal services to the poor, disadvantaged and other individuals or groups unable to secure legal assistance to address critical problems

Social Impact & Volunteering

Timberland Victory Garden Funds New Home for Family in Haiti

Mar 1, 2018 11:00 AM ET

As an employee of Timberland, I am offered up to 40 paid community service hours each year through the company’s Path of Service™ program, now in its 26th year. One of the ways I use my hours is to manage the Timberland Victory Garden, a raised-bed vegetable garden located on the front lawn of our global headquarters in Stratham, New Hampshire.

Diversity & Inclusion

Booz Allen Partners with the Vinetta Project to Empower Women-Led Small Businesses in Washington, D.C. to Change the World

Mar 1, 2018 10:40 AM ET

According to SmallBusinessData.Gov, the Federal Government is required by law to contract with small businesses. Currently, less than five percent of the government’s small business funding goes to women-owned businesses. Today, Booz Allen Hamilton announced its partnership with the Vinetta Project to help women founders and women-owned small businesses to access previously inaccessible networks, investors, customers, and partners. And, in light of National Women’s Month, it’s time to talk about a few numbers: 20, 35, 4 and 2.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

VIDEO | Meet the Consumers Energy Green Team

Mar 1, 2018 10:35 AM ET

By reducing their environmental footprint and increasing awareness of recycling and other "green" initiatives, Consumers Energy is bettering the communities in which they live, work and play.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

CVS Health Foundation Increases Access to Health Care Across the Country With $1 Million in New Grants

Mar 1, 2018 10:00 AM ET

As part of its ongoing effort to making quality health care convenient and affordable for more Americans, the CVS Health Foundation, a private charitable organization created by CVS Health (NYSE:CVS), today extended its commitment to the National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (NAFC) with $1 million in new grants to 49 Free and Charitable Clinics across the country. The new grants will focus on improving health outcomes for patients managing chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

U.S. Chamber Foundation Seeks Nominations to Recognize Top Corporate Citizens

Mar 1, 2018 10:00 AM ET

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation today began accepting nominations for its annual Citizens Awards, which recognize businesses for their positive impact on society.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Whole Planet Foundation Salutes Hall of Fame Members

Mar 1, 2018 9:35 AM ET

Whole Planet Foundation thrives because of the support of amazing volunteers, fundraisers, and advocates who generously contribute to its mission to alleviate global poverty, especially during the Annual Prosperity Campaign each March. From a Whole Foods Market cashier sporting a Mohawk to an office-based analyst coordinating a Ping Pong for Prosperity tournament, please join us in celebrating the members of the Whole Planet Foundation Hall of Fame who have dedicated themselves to creating opportunities for the world’s poorest people.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

SC Johnson Recognized for Environmental Leadership at 7th Annual Climate Leadership Conference

Mar 1, 2018 9:30 AM ET

SC Johnson today announced it has received a Climate Leadership Award for Excellence in Greenhouse Gas Management (GHG) Goal Setting. The company has set an aggressive goal of further reducing GHG emissions 15 percent by 2020 from the base set in 2015. This could result in a reduction of more than 15,000 metric tons of emissions over five years.