ESG News from Leading Brands

Social Impact & Volunteering

Great Gwinnett Wetlands 2018 is Officially Water Under the Bridge

May 18, 2018 5:00 PM ET

For the last four years, Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful has been proud to team up with Gwinnett County’s Department of Water Resources to raise awareness about the important role that wetlands play, as well as to motivate the community to act as stewards to local wetlands.

Diversity & Inclusion

Important Dialogue - Moving from Reconciliation to ReconciliACTION

May 18, 2018 4:55 PM ET

39% of LBG Canada Companies are ready to benchmark their investments into Indigenous communities, are you? Join LBG Canada on June 5th, 2018 to explore the role of community investment in corporate response to ACTION 92 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, with featured panelist Kelly Lendsay, President & CEO of Indigenous Works.

Diversity & Inclusion

Connecting Qualified Veterans to Careers in Technology

May 18, 2018 4:45 PM ET

No two career journeys are the same, and for military veterans, the road to civilian employment is often an entirely new, unfamiliar mission. In today’s digital economy, the skills people need to thrive are ever-changing, adapting with every innovation and technology that hits the market; a market that doesn’t always wait for veterans to end their deployments and return home.

Environment

Healthy Soil, Healthy Ranch

May 18, 2018 4:30 PM ET

Susan and Floyd Bergen own and operate five ranches in Oklahoma and Texas, including a 12,000-acre property in Sulphur, Oklahoma. Here, Susan, who has managed these ranches since 2012, shares her thoughts on the importance of soil health for long-term success in ranching.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Gildan Awarded a Distintivo® ESR 2018 Award for Its Environmental Activities in the Dominican Republic

May 18, 2018 3:30 PM ET

For the third consecutive year, Gildan has been recognized with a Distintivo ESR® 2018 award presented during the 11th Latin American Conference of Socially Responsible Companies. The award is given to companies that meet designated standards in the strategic areas of corporate social responsibility. Gildan received the distinction this year for its CSR activities in the Dominican Republic.

Environment

DTE Energy and Consumers Energy Accelerate Plans for Cleaner Energy in Michigan

May 18, 2018 2:55 PM ET

Consumers Energy and DTE Energy today said they are accelerating plans to produce cleaner energy in Michigan, targeting at least a 50 percent Clean Energy Goal by 2030– achieved through a combination of investments in at least 25 percent renewable energy, and the remaining through energy efficiency.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Find Your Company's Pro Bono Sweet Spot with Taproot's New Framework

May 18, 2018 1:35 PM ET

The Pro Bono Sweet Spot framework asks companies to consider four key factors – unique at each company – that will affect their programs’ impact. A company’s pro bono sweet spot is the area where the social impact they want to have, their available skills and expertise, the business objectives that matter most to them, and any contextual information or constraints overlap. This approach has the power to take corporate pro bono to the next level.

Green Infrastructure

Mohawk Group’s New Flagship Showroom in New York Showcases Sustainable and Wellness Design

May 18, 2018 12:30 PM ET

Mohawk Group’s new flagship location in the Fashion District of New York City expresses the company’s commitment not only to stylish and innovative floor coverings but also to sustainable and wellness design.

Education

Ryerson University Team Wins Youth Empowerment National Champion Title

May 18, 2018 11:35 AM ET

Ryerson University students partnered with a local school in Pisac, Peru to implement a horticultural education program designed to generate a sustainable revenue stream for the school.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Baton Rouge Chamber Announces Diversity Star Award Recipients

May 18, 2018 11:00 AM ET

The Baton Rouge Area Chamber (BRAC) today announced recipients of its inaugural Diversity Star Award at its sold-out Diversity in Business luncheon. Civil Solutions Consulting Group received the award for the small business category, and Republic Services of Baton Rouge received the award for the large business category.

Education

Mobile Science Lab Sparks Curiosity in Hawthorn Students

May 18, 2018 10:50 AM ET

“It’s exciting to see these experiences being made available to even more students,” says Victoria May, executive director of the ISP. “Too many students get to high school without the confidence to tackle STEM subjects or an awareness of the opportunities waiting for them in STEM fields. That’s why it’s important to make inroads with students when it matters most—in elementary and middle school.”

Environment

Around the World, Bloomberg Employee Volunteers Are Sustaining and Strengthening the Environment

May 18, 2018 10:45 AM ET

As part of our legacy of connecting with and protecting nature around the world, Bloomberg employees are dedicated to restoring our local green spaces and engaging as local stewards in the communities where we have offices. Last year, our employees volunteered over 12,000 hours in environmental stewardship efforts in local communities, planted more than 73,000 trees and plants, cleaned 75 local parks and waterways, and collected over 565,000 pounds of garbage and mulch. Read more about our philanthropy and engagement efforts in our 2017 Impact Report.

Sustainable Development Goals

Banning Charcoal Isn’t the Way to Go. Kenya Should Make It Sustainable.

May 18, 2018 10:45 AM ET

The Kenyan government has clamped down on the production of charcoal, which it blames for environmental damage. A three-month ban on trading is in force in a number of counties. The Conversation Africa’s Moina Spooner spoke to Mary Njenga about the crackdown.

Innovation & Technology

Ready, Set…Mars! Imagining Life on the Red Planet

May 18, 2018 10:20 AM ET

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

U.S. Veterans Magazine Announces its 2018 Summer Best of The Best Early Results Lists

May 18, 2018 10:05 AM ET

(Irvine, California) – May 15, 2018– U.S. Veterans Magazine (USVM) today released the results of its highly anticipated 2018 evaluation of the nation’s Best of the Best Top Veteran-Friendly Companies, Top Supplier Diversity Programs, Top Government & Law Enforcement Agencies, and Top Veteran-Friendly Schools.

Responsible Production & Consumption

INFOGRAPHIC: Food Safety and Quality at Smithfield Foods

May 18, 2018 10:05 AM ET

More than 50Million invested in facility upgrades to enhance food safety, quality, and productivity. Learn more about Smithfield's commitment to food safety and quality.

Environment

Changing Yourself to Build a Sustainable Future

May 18, 2018 10:00 AM ET

Hollywood actress Maggie Q, along with CLP Director of Group Sustainability Dr Jeanne Ng, City University of Hong Kong Chair Professor of Atmospheric Science Prof Johnny Chan and the Green Earth Founder and Executive Director Edwin Lau, shares how people can change their habits and attitude to contribute to the global sustainable movement.

Events, Media & Communications

REWIRE: Unlocking Talent Solutions for Today & Tomorrow

May 18, 2018 10:00 AM ET

On Wednesday, June 13 the Shared Value Initiative and FSG will convene REWIRE, a new conference that’s digging into the whys & hows of implementing new hiring strategies to be more inclusive of untapped talent, and in turn, make your business more competitive.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Bacardi Partners with Sands Cares to Assemble Hygiene Kits for Veterans, Women and Children

May 18, 2018 9:55 AM ET

In March, Sands Bethlehem hosted a team from the Bacardi Group for two days of meetings and dinners. As part of their visit, the team built 500 hygiene kits for veterans, women and children, providing them with access to soap and other personal hygiene products. The kits were donated to the Victory House, YWCA of Bethlehem and Donegan Elementary School.

Green Infrastructure

Realizing the Future of WELL

May 18, 2018 9:35 AM ET

Last week, we flipped our calendars from April to May, and with that ushered in a landmark month in IWBI history – the one in which we'll launch the next version of WELL.

Sustainable Development Goals

UN Global Compact Bulletin (May 2018)

May 18, 2018 9:05 AM ET

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Sappi North America Opens 2018 ‘Ideas that Matter' Call for Entries

May 18, 2018 9:00 AM ET

Sappi North America, a leading producer and supplier of diversified paper and packaging products, today announced the call for entries for its 2018 Ideas that Matter grant program, inviting designers to show the world how design – specifically print – can play an important role in changing lives for the better.

Sustainable Development Goals

Director of UNEP Speaks on the Role of the Private Sector in Achieving the SDGs

May 18, 2018 6:20 AM ET

In a recent interview with Ethical Corporation, the Director of Governance Affairs at UN Environment, Jorge Laguna-Celis, explained that engaging with the private sector has been part of UNEP’s “modus-operandi” since the SDGs were signed in 2015. According to Laguna-Celis, “the vision of our executive director Erik Solheim is very simple. In every division, every staff member, in every project he or she is working on, has to devote resources to engaging with the private sector.”

Environment

National Geographic Launches ‘Planet or Plastic?’ Initiative to Reduce Impact of Single-use Plastics on Our Oceans

May 17, 2018 8:15 PM ET

Every year, 9 million tons of plastic waste ends up in the world’s oceans and could remain in marine environments for more than 450 years. This escalating problem deserves our attention, and today National Geographic is kicking off a multiyear initiative to reduce the impact of single-use plastics on our oceans. The comprehensive plan of action called “Planet or Plastic?” launches today and is tied to the June issue of National Geographic magazine, which is available online now and will hit newsstands on May 29.

Diversity & Inclusion

Important Dialogue - Community Investment Has a Role to Play in a Diversity & Inclusion Strategy

May 17, 2018 6:10 PM ET