ESG News from Leading Brands

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Costa Cruises to Halve Food Waste on Board Its Ships Thanks to the “4GOODFOOD” Program

Feb 5, 2018 11:00 AM ET

Costa Cruises has today unveiled its 4GOODFOOD program, whose aim is to halve food waste on board the Italian company's ships by 2020. The starting point for the project is recognizing the value of food. The food experience is a key part of the cruise and the relevant figures are quite staggering: some 54 million meals a year are prepared on board the members of the Costa fleet.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Firms Learn That As They Help Charities, They Also Help Their Brands

Feb 5, 2018 10:50 AM ET

There is a desire by companies to show customers and employees that they are not just interested in profits, but that they care about the state of the world. And saying so is not enough. So determined are they to show impact — the latest buzzword in philanthropy — that they are marshaling metrics to prove it.

Consider Subaru of America. In the first nine months of 2017, 512 employees have volunteered their time for 105 events for 46 different organizations.

Green Infrastructure

Delos | Health Promotion and Financial Investment: Sarah Clarke and David Palin From Mirvac

Feb 5, 2018 10:05 AM ET

Mirvac has turned their new Sydney headquarters at 200 George Street into a living lab outfitted with sensors that collect building data on everything from vibrations to façade temperature. The space reflects the group’s passionate curiosity in sustainable, healthy buildings – and their desire to transform knowledge directly into action. We spoke to both Sarah Clarke, Group General Manager, Sustainability and Reputation and David Palin, Sustainability Manager who explain how continuous learning, transparency, and trust are helping them stand out as leaders in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Changing Lives One Child at a Time

Feb 5, 2018 10:00 AM ET

Children enter foster care because they are abused and neglected. The children waiting to be adopted deserve our best efforts to find them a family. Little Wesley waited nearly three years in foster care, but today he and his family are celebrating their future! The Holbrooks adopted Wesley and now he never has to wonder again who will help him with his homework and who will pick him up after school. He will have someone to wave to when he crosses the stage at graduation and his children will have grandparents.

Research, Reports & Publications

An Unprecedent Study on French People’s Opinion on Philanthropy

Feb 5, 2018 9:45 AM ET

On October 2017, Admical, a Paris-based NGO and the French Local Authority of the Global Exchange, published a first-of-its-kind study in partnership with the institute of studies Kantar Public, which aimed to understand French people’s opinion on philanthropy. How do we measure the awareness of corporate and individual philanthropy in France, how do people perceive philanthropists, and how can we understand the expectations on this subject?

Energy

Digital Tech Helps Electric Utilities Improve Customer Sustainability—And Their Own

Feb 5, 2018 9:45 AM ET

Electric utilities and other power networks are in a unique position when it comes to improving sustainability. That’s because they have the ability to not just control their own carbon footprint but also promote more efficient, sustainable energy use for consumers. They can improve sustainability and decarbonize to mitigate climate change while still supporting their consumers’ growing needs ranging from smooth, efficient integration of electric vehicles into the grid to better energy accessibility.

Innovation & Technology

Case Study Snapshot: U.S. Postal Service Case Study

Feb 5, 2018 9:30 AM ET

Asif Ansari, Manager of Environmental Compliance and Risk Management, explains how the United States Postal Service evaluated its unique software requirements, and selected a path to best meet its needs.

Green Infrastructure

Non-Profit Donates Funds, Research Toward Improving Transportation

Feb 5, 2018 9:30 AM ET

The Trustees of the Atlanta-based Ray C. Anderson Foundation have granted an additional $2 million to The Ray over the next two years, to fund important research, pilot projects and emerging technologies with the potential to shape the transportation infrastructure of the future.

Education

Samsung Challenges Students Around the World to Tackle Sustainable Development Issues Through STEAM Skills

Feb 5, 2018 8:45 AM ET

Samsung Electronics America, Inc. today brought teachers and students from 5 countries together at the United Nations to find solutions for sustainable development issues around the globe. As part of the Global Classroom STEAM Challenge, the student teams partnered with international counterparts over the past 10 weeks to develop solutions to issues in their respective communities. Today, at an event at the United Nations headquarters, the teams presented their proposed solutions to a panel of government leaders, non-governmental organizations, educators and corporate leaders.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Fortune Names Las Vegas Sands to “World’s Most Admired Companies” List for the Second Consecutive Year

Feb 5, 2018 8:30 AM ET

Repeating last year’s appearance on the preeminent list of global corporate leaders, Las Vegas Sands has been named one of the “World’s Most Admired Companies” in Fortune’s annual roundup of the world’s most respected and reputable businesses, as judged by industry peers, analysts and leaders on criteria including innovation, people management and social responsibility.

Research, Reports & Publications

WBCSD Takes a Closer Look at the Corporate Reporting Landscape in the United States and Canada

Feb 5, 2018 8:05 AM ET

Today, at GreenBiz18 in Phoenix, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) released a new report, compiling data from the Reporting Exchange that offers a closer look into the reporting landscape of the United States and Canada.

Innovation & Technology

Alliance Data VIDEO | How Better Data Is Tackling Hunger, One Byte at a Time

Feb 5, 2018 8:05 AM ET

Epsilon, an Alliance Data company and next generation marketing agency, made an investment in the SF-Marin Food Bank's client data tracking tool two years ago. A tool that, much in the same way we leverage data to help give our clients deeper insights into their customers, allows the Food Bank to better understand the clients they serve, how to effectually manage and distribute resources and measure their success - allowing them to operate more effectively and efficiently.

Sustainable Development Goals

Food or Inedible Part? Changing Norms in Waste Characterization Studies to Measure Food Waste

Feb 5, 2018 8:00 AM ET

Belinda Li, project engineer in Tetra Tech’s Solid Waste Management Practice in Canada, discusses how waste characterization studies are evolving to collect better data on food waste. Belinda led a comprehensive food waste characterization study across three American cities for the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). All opinions expressed in this post are the author’s own.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

CITGO and Habitat for Humanity Rebuild and Restore Homes Following Hurricane Harvey

Feb 3, 2018 5:40 PM ET

CITGO Petroleum Corporation is donating up to $1.4 million to Habitat for Humanity with the immediate goal of rebuilding approximately 22 homes in the Rockport, Texas community. The partnership is part of the CITGO Fueling Good. Rebuilding Lives. initiative, a larger effort dedicated to community recovery in the wake of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria.

Events, Media & Communications

LBG Canada & The Works Design Communications Present: The Top Ten Tips for Effective Reporting

Feb 2, 2018 6:00 PM ET

London Benchmarking Group (LBG) Canada and The Works Design Communications partner to bring you The Top Ten Tips for Effective Community Investment Reporting. On Thursday, February 15th, 2018 community investment professionals interested in enhancing their external corporate reporting with data are encouraged to attend this web-based discussion. The webinar will include key reporting trends with examples of 'best-in-class' reports backed by the use of salient data.

Diversity & Inclusion

The Girl on the Balcony

Feb 2, 2018 4:00 PM ET

Millions have seen the image. Moments after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was fatally shot on April 4, 1968, photographer Joseph Louw captured the moment when those with Dr. King on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel all pointed to an area across the street.

Green Infrastructure

Super Bowl LII Catalyzes Zero-Waste Legacy

Feb 2, 2018 3:30 PM ET

This weekend, the U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis will attract over 66,000 people for the Super Bowl – not to mention the 100 million viewers who will be watching across the country. While much of the day’s focus will be on the players and the ads, this year’s organizers are also spotlighting another, greener aspect of the game: engaging fans throughout the evening to create the first ever zero-waste Super Bowl.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Pro Football Hall of Famer and Cancer Survivor Jim Kelly Joins Merck to Challenge America to Raise Funds for the Cancer Community

Feb 2, 2018 3:25 PM ET

With an estimated 1.6 million Americans diagnosed in 2017 alone, cancer not only impacts those diagnosed but their friends and family as well. In recognition of World Cancer Day on Sunday, Feb. 4, Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, along with Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Kelly is asking all Americans to join the Your Cancer Game Plan Challenge, a social awareness effort to help raise funds to support cancer patient organizations.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Empowering Entrepreneurs: Interview With Gayle Grindley, Investing in Future Generations

Feb 2, 2018 3:05 PM ET

Gayle Grindley, Natural Channel Sales Director for Unilever, has travelled with Whole Planet Foundation and met microcredit clients in Austin, San Diego, Phoenix, in Guatemala in Central America (pictured), in Paraguay, South America and in Togo, West Africa.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Sodexo Earns Highest Marks in RobecoSAM’s “Sustainability Yearbook” for Eleventh Straight Year

Feb 2, 2018 2:45 PM ET

Award recognizes companies that through their Corporate Responsibility efforts are acting to “help realize the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030”

Environment

New Regulations in California Brought More Haulers into the Food Recovery World

Feb 2, 2018 2:00 PM ET

Innovation & Technology

FCA US LLC Set to Deliver Thousands of Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Minivans to Waymo's Self-Driving Service

Feb 2, 2018 1:45 PM ET

FCA US LLC announced an agreement to supply thousands of Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans to Waymo to support the launch of the world’s first driverless ride-hailing service. Vehicle delivery begins in late 2018 with Pacifica Hybrid minivans to be deployed across multiple U.S. cities.

Sustainable Development Goals

UN Global Compact Announces New Business Action Platform for the Ocean

Feb 2, 2018 1:05 PM ET

Today, the United Nations Global Compact announced the formation of a Business Action Platform for the Ocean — a three-year global programme bringing together business, civil society, the UN and Governments to advance the ocean economy and sustainable development. The programme is part of a broader portfolio of Action Platforms introduced by the UN Global Compact to facilitate the achievement of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Global Goals.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Michigan 2-1-1: State-of-the-Art Planning Keeps Residents Warm

Feb 2, 2018 12:15 PM ET

Last month, when sub-zero temperatures swept through Midwestern and Northeastern states, one centralized agency in Michigan was already marshalling resources to help those in need. Michigan 2-1-1, a state-supported consortium of nonprofits, businesses, governments and private citizens were on staff to help Michigan residents cope with record-setting temperature lows.

Events, Media & Communications

Call-to-Action on Long-Term Plan Communications to Investors

Feb 2, 2018 12:00 PM ET

To meet the growing need of leading institutional investors for a longer-term view, the investors in CECP’s Strategic Investor Initiative’s (SII) Advisory Board released a letter—signed by Bill McNabb, Chairman, Vanguard and 9 other leading investors--with a call-to-action to reframe communications between CEOs, companies, and investors to focus on long-term value creation.