ESG News from Leading Brands

Responsible Production & Consumption

VIDEO | Making Your Favorite Jeans Better for the Planet

Feb 15, 2018 4:10 PM ET

Recently, the Walmart Foundation, through the Walmart U.S. Manufacturing Innovation Fund, supported a project at Texas Tech University where researchers are using a foam indigo dyeing technique on cotton fibers. According to Texas Tech, this method, which uses a frothy foam dye designed to penetrate the entire fiber, eliminates the use of harsh chemicals and reduces water and energy usage by nearly 90%. This innovation could be a game changer for denim manufacturers by lowering costs and reducing environmental impacts.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

A New Way to Fundraise on eBay (INFOGRAPHIC)

Feb 15, 2018 3:35 PM ET

When you participate in a charity fundraising event like Relay For Life, you work with a team to raise money by having your friends and family donate on your behalf. But what if they could go to eBay, sell something and have that money go directly toward your fundraising goal?

Events, Media & Communications

Agenda for International Women’s Day Forum Is Now Live!

Feb 15, 2018 3:00 PM ET

The agenda for International Women's Day Forum is now live! Check out the full lineup of speakers and featured topics here, including deep-dive working sessions and networking opportunities. This year's forum, Partner With Purpose: Business for Gender Equality, will cover emerging trends, best practices, and solutions to achieve full gender equality.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Seven Things Every Company Should Know About Artificial Intelligence and Sustainable Business

Feb 15, 2018 2:25 PM ET

As Artificial Intelligence evolves, the opportunities for their use in sustainable business grows - see 7 ways BSR looks at a possible future where AI can aid us.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

A Sweet Surprise for a Couple in Their 90s

Feb 15, 2018 2:10 PM ET

For Duke Energy lineman apprentice Shawn Tillis, rest and normalcy have erased the exhaustion of restoring power after Hurricane Irma drenched and devastated much of Florida five months ago. But one memory remains strong.

Environment

BIER Figures as Key Driver in Sustainability Efforts for Leading Beverage Companies

Feb 15, 2018 2:05 PM ET

The Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER) works to advance the beverage sector’s environmental sustainability through the collaboration of our members, our best practice development, and the tools we provide to the sector and beyond. We are pleased to see that mission in action, as seen most recently in the news for several leading beverage companies: Absolut Vodka and the Carlsberg Group.

Education

MTV and Get Schooled Launch “We Are the Dream” Campaign with Multi Platinum Recording Artist and Activist French Montana to Support Undocumented Students Seeking Higher Education

Feb 15, 2018 1:15 PM ET

MTV and Get Schooled launched, “We are the Dream,” a multi-platform campaign to amplify resources for undocumented youth seeking higher education.

“The path from high school to college is confusing and stressful for the average high school senior, but even more so for undocumented students,” said Marie Groark, Executive Director of Get Schooled. “We are excited to partner with MTV to spread awareness among undocumented students and their allies that resources are available, college is possible, and they are not alone in their quest to get an education.”

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Xylem Named to Barron’s 100 Most Sustainable Companies

Feb 15, 2018 1:05 PM ET

Xylem Inc., a leading global water technology company, has been ranked number 10 on Barron’s inaugural 100 Most Sustainable Companies list, which was announced in its February 3, 2018 issue. Xylem was also ranked number 2 on Barron’s Special Report: The Most Sustainable Industrials.

Energy

TransCanada Declares Quarterly Dividends

Feb 15, 2018 1:00 PM ET

TransCanada Corporation (TSX:TRP) (NYSE:TRP) (TransCanada or the Company) today announced that the Board of Directors (Board) of TransCanada declared a quarterly dividend of $0.69 per common share for the quarter ending March 31, 2018 on the Company's outstanding common shares. The common share dividend is payable on April 30, 2018 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 29, 2018.

Health & Healthcare

How Losing My Husband Taught Me How to Be a Better CEO

Feb 15, 2018 1:00 PM ET

Almost exactly five years ago I learned a leadership lesson I never wanted to learn. But as I look back on this anniversary and one that makes Valentine’s Day bittersweet, I appreciate that I grew personally and professionally in a way I might never have otherwise.

Innovation & Technology

What Do You Dare to Repair?

Feb 15, 2018 12:55 PM ET

Today, HP is launching a 3D printed repair parts contest with iFixit, Ikea and Philips to open source easy fixes for common consumer products. The ultimate goal is to keep more things in the use and reuse phase much, much longer.

Social Impact & Volunteering

‘Plogging’ - Scandinavian Fitness Trend of Collecting Litter While Jogging Comes to America

Feb 15, 2018 12:00 PM ET

Lifesum, has become the first health app to allow its users (25 million internationally) to log and track ‘plogging’: an emerging environmentally conscious exercise craze from Scandinavia in which people integrate the collection of litter within their jogging workout. The move has been supported by Keep America Beautiful, which has served as the nation’s nonprofit steward of litter prevention for more than six decades.

Events, Media & Communications

Access RobecoSAM's Leading Practice & Benchmarking Database for the Day @ DJSI - How Insights Inspire Action

Feb 15, 2018 11:45 AM ET

Each attendee will have free access to RobecoSAM's Benchmarking & Leading Practices Database for the day. Access to these databases normally cost 4’990 EUR and 2’500 EUR respectively.

Diversity & Inclusion

DMZ Launches ‘Women Founders Accelerator Program’ to Improve Gender Gap in Canada’s Tech Sector

Feb 15, 2018 11:25 AM ET

The DMZ at Ryerson University announced today the launch of a Women Founders accelerator program to help early-stage women-led startups secure early revenue and find their product-market fit. The four-month accelerator program, launched in partnership with Scotiabank and Tangerine, will fuel the success of Canadian women innovators.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Ecolab Named One of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for Twelfth Consecutive Year by the Ethisphere Institute

Feb 15, 2018 11:00 AM ET

Ecolab Inc. has again been recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute, the global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices. Ecolab has been named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies every year since the list’s inception in 2007.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

CBRE Group, Inc. Recognized on Barron’s 100 Most Sustainable Companies List

Feb 15, 2018 10:45 AM ET

CBRE Group, Inc. has been recognized as one of the 100 Most Sustainable Companies in the U.S. by Barron’s. The list was based on analysis of the 1,000 largest publicly held companies by market value, with headquarters in the U.S.

“CBRE’s recognition as one of the country’s Most Sustainable companies dramatically underscores how good corporate citizenship and good business go hand-in-hand,” said David Pogue, Senior Vice President, Global Client Care, CBRE.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Starbucks, PepsiCo Among 2018's Most Ethical Food Brands

Feb 15, 2018 10:00 AM ET

Since 2007, the Ethisphere Institute has been recognizing companies which “influence and drive positive change in the business community.” In a statement, the Ethisphere Institute wrote that companies which consistently show “transparency and authenticity,” should be rewarded for upholding values which “support the rule of law and operate with decency.”

Research, Reports & Publications

A New Greener Alternative Scoring Matrix Based on Twelve Principles of Green Chemistry

Feb 15, 2018 9:05 AM ET

MilliporeSigma created a unique web-based greener alternative scoring matrix, also known as DOZN™a quantitative green chemistry evaluator based on the 12 principles of green chemistry. The 12 principles of green chemistry provide a framework for learning about green chemistry and designing or improving materials, products, processes and systems. The DOZN™evaluatorscores products based on metrics for each principle and aggregates the principle scores to derive a final aggregate score.

Green Infrastructure

MEASURING WELL: ASID Post-Occupancy Analysis Highlights the Value of Designing WELL

Feb 15, 2018 9:05 AM ET

Considering that 90% of a company’s operating costs are spent on personnel, it’s no surprise that some of the earliest adopters of WELL have been commercial office spaces. It hasn’t taken long for human resources professionals and executives across the globe to realize that prioritizing people results in substantial return on investment.

Energy

China’s State Power Investment Corporation Adds New Energy to Sustainability by Joining WBCSD

Feb 15, 2018 8:45 AM ET

Global electricity leader State Power Investment Corporation Limited (SPIC) has today joined nearly 200 forward-thinking companies as the newest member of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Millennials & Money: We’re Not as Different as You Think

Feb 15, 2018 8:45 AM ET

The financial services industry is a bit obsessed with trying to understand the next generation of investors – the notorious millennials. And for good reason – millennials represent the largest generation in history with a spending power of $1.5 trillion and growing. Many millennials are well into their wealth accumulation phase and have already begun to inherit more than $30 trillion in the largest wealth transfer of all time.

Innovation & Technology

VIDEO | Alliance Data Recaps Data Privacy Day Efforts

Feb 15, 2018 8:35 AM ET

Alliance Data is a data-driven company, and to enable our clients to connect with their customers we need to be able collect, steward and protect data that in some instances is sensitive personal data. This year, in recognition of International Data Privacy Day, we educated our associates about the potential impacts of European Union's general data privacy regulation (GDPR).

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Hats Off to the 2018 Corporate Goodness Award Winners

Feb 15, 2018 7:25 AM ET

Every year, Benevity and our community takes a little time to recognize progressive companies who are harnessing the power of their people and communities through a modern approach to corporate giving and employee engagement. These companies have infused a culture of Goodness into the world through their employees, consumers, communities and beyond. They inspire us with their innovative approaches, their contributions and, most of all, their impact.

FIND OUT WHICH COMPANIES WENT HOME WITH ONE OF EIGHT CORPORATE GOODNESS AWARDS.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Third-Party Diamond Certification First to Use Advanced Laser Testing to Trace Diamonds from Mine to Market

Feb 15, 2018 6:00 AM ET

Diamond traceability back to the mine of origin – vital to the international due diligence movement for precious gems and minerals – just took a giant step forward. SCS Global Services, an internationally recognized certification body and standards developer, is pleased to announce that its diamond provenance certification program now incorporates advanced laser testing that can identify the source of any rough, cut, or polished diamond, anywhere in the chain of custody. Use of this disruptive technology, combined with comprehensive certification assessment protocols, provides unmatched assurance to diamond retailers and consumers alike that the diamonds they purchase or sell are not coming from conflict-affected and high-risk sources. This is a first for diamond origin verification.

Diversity & Inclusion

Building a Better Ladder: How Scotiabank Fosters Female Talent Through Sponsorship

Feb 14, 2018 5:00 PM ET