ESG News from Leading Brands

Environment

Pernod Ricard: Getting Rid of Plastic Straws is a Call to Corporate Responsibility

May 16, 2018 5:15 PM ET

Plastic drinking straws are everywhere – in the soft drinks that we order with our meal, in the glass of water we’re served in a restaurant and the boxed juice sold in stores. They are even in the mixed cocktails that are served in bars and lounges. But these days, the sleek, plastic straw is best known for the environmental mess that is cluttering the world’s parks, beaches and landfills.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Iconic Houses: Celebrating Modern Architectural Marvels

May 16, 2018 4:50 PM ET

As the World’s largest travel network, American Express has a deep understanding of the influence buildings and landmarks can have on society. And, as regular readers of my blog know, we have a long history of helping communities thrive through the power of preservation.

Energy

AEG and LA Kings Partner With BluEco Technology Group on Revolutionary New Water and Ice Development Technology for Stadiums and Arenas, Maximizing Energy Efficiency, Improving In-Venue Climate and Providing Cost Savings

May 16, 2018 2:45 PM ET

AEG, the world’s leading sports and entertainment company, and its National Hockey League (NHL) franchise, the LA Kings, have formed a joint venture with BluEco Technology Group to introduce a revolutionary new BluEco Liquid Crystalline Turbex™ (LCT™) environmental technology for arenas and public facilities. The BluEco LCT System produces pure water while cleaning indoor air and significantly reducing energy costs for arena and facility operators and owners.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Thriving in a Loving Home, What Every Child Deserves and YOU Can Help

May 16, 2018 2:00 PM ET

Imagine spending a year and a half not knowing if the bed you slept in one night would be the bed you sleep in the next night. That’s reality for the more than 430,000 children in foster care in North America, but the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption knows that these children can have a bright future. More than 117,000 children living in foster care need to be adopted right now.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

New Mexico Homeownership to Get $4.6 Million Boost

May 16, 2018 1:35 PM ET

The NeighborhoodLIFT program will offer homebuyer education plus $7,500 down payment assistance grants for all 33 New Mexico counties, through a $4.6 million commitment by Wells Fargo.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

KeyBank Provides a Total of $49.7 Million in Financing for Colorado Affordable Housing Development

May 16, 2018 1:15 PM ET

KeyBank’s Community Development Lending & Investment (CDLI) team has provided a total of $49.7 million in financing to a joint venture among Koelbel and Company, Mile High Development and Longs Peak Advisors to support the new construction of Eaton Street Apartments, a 118-unit affordable housing development in Westminster, CO. Specifically, KeyBank provided a $24.8 million construction loan, a $14.1 million LIHTC equity investment and a $10.8 million Fannie Mae permanent loan. Jefferson County Housing Authority is a Special Limited Partner.

Environment

How Sea Oats Make Beautiful Beaches Possible

May 16, 2018 12:00 PM ET

As enchanting as coastal sea oats look, their golden tassels dancing in the ocean breeze from Florida’s Panhandle to North Carolina’s Outer Banks, what lies hidden beneath the sand is even more magical. The roots of this dainty-looking grass extend as deep as 5 feet below the surface, and literally anchor the dunes in place. For the fragile barrier islands, sea oats are the first line of defense.

Environment

Practitioner Spotlight--Julie Mouton

May 16, 2018 11:30 AM ET

Antea Group spotlights Julie Mouton, who is based in Seattle and specializes in environmental remediation and compliance as well as sustainability.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Record Breaking 17th Annual Comcast Cares Day for Comcast NBCUniversal

May 16, 2018 10:55 AM ET

Comcast NBCUniversal today announced a record number of volunteers, projects and total hours served during the company’s 17th annual Comcast Cares Day, the nation’s largest single-day corporate volunteer effort and a powerful representation of the company’s year-round commitment to community service.

Green Infrastructure

Las Vegas Sands ECO360 Executive Profile: Norbert Riezler

May 16, 2018 10:40 AM ET

Ten years ago, senior vice president, chief procurement and sustainability officer Norbert Riezler, was appointed to manage the U.S. procurement department for Las Vegas Sands and within 18 months, was asked to head the department globally by Chairman and CEO, Sheldon Adelson. Three years later, he was asked to lead the sustainability department globally, managing the program in Macao and Singapore as well.

Events, Media & Communications

Announcing the Global Engagement Forum: Live, Hosted by PYXERA Global, October 10 - 11

May 16, 2018 10:15 AM ET

PYXERA Global is proud to announce the third Global Engagement Forum: Live, to be held on October 10-11, 2018 in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The invite-only forum focuses on four solvable problems within the Sustainable Development Goals. Leaders and experts from business, government, and nonprofit organizations will come together for two days of intensive collaboration.

Sustainable Development Goals

Bringing Business Back Home: Biomass Energy of Sri Lanka

May 16, 2018 10:10 AM ET

In 2006, my London-based publishing house, Dakini Books, published the critically acclaimed ‘Global Warning – The Last Chance for Change’, Paul Brown's fact-based book on climate change and its consequences for the planet and humanity. This book gave me phenomenal insight into what to expect in the next 20 years, and more importantly what we need to do if humanity is to even have a chance.

Research, Reports & Publications

Ceres’ New Analysis of Large Global Companies Links Sustainability Performance with Strong Governance Systems

May 16, 2018 10:00 AM ET

A new report released today by the nonprofit organization Ceres finds that companies with strong systems for board sustainability oversight are more likely to perform better on sustainability challenges such as climate change, water scarcity and pollution, and human rights abuses.

Events, Media & Communications

BSR18: A New Blueprint for Business

May 16, 2018 10:00 AM ET

The world is changing at a rapid pace. The business agenda is changing, and the sustainability agenda needs to change with it. At the BSR Conference 2018 in New York City November 6-8, we will be presenting “A New Blueprint for Business,” defining a path that enables business to thrive in societies that prosper.

Events, Media & Communications

12 Reasons to Attend the 5th International Reporting 3.0 Conference

May 16, 2018 10:00 AM ET

Reporting 3.0 stands out in a crowded landscape for a variety of reasons, including our positive maverick commitment to necessary levels of transformation and our pre-competitive, collaborative networked approach. Similarly, the 5th International Reporting 3.0 Conference, hosted by KPMG at their Amsterdam Headquarters on 12-13 June 2018, stands out in a crowded landscape for a variety of reasons.

Social Impact & Volunteering

MilliporeSigma Employees SPARK Curiosity Around the World

May 16, 2018 9:55 AM ET

With the successful launch of the SPARK Global Volunteer Program in 2016, MilliporeSigma, the life science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, employees continue to SPARK curiosity around the world, giving back to the communities in which they live and work during 2018 quarterly dedicated SPARK weeks. In addition to SPARK events organized throughout the year, the dedicated SPARK weeks model brings employees together at specific and consistent points in time.

Events, Media & Communications

How to Boost Employee Engagement With the VolunteerMatch Network [Webinar]

May 16, 2018 9:40 AM ET

Many companies invest a lot of time in researching nonprofits and curating one-off volunteer opportunities for their employees. Yet research shows that one-third of employees won’t actually give through their workplace because they’re not able to choose the causes that matter to them. In this month's free webinar on May 29, 2018, we will introduce the VolunteerMatch Network and how it can serve the interests of both your company and its individual employees.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Market Forces Driving Combined Food Safety and Sustainability Initiatives

May 16, 2018 9:00 AM ET

Sound food safety practices are integral to sustainable and resilient agricultural production systems, which in turn are viewed as essential to ending hunger worldwide, as discussed under the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal #2. Even so, approaching food safety and sustainability in tandem is just now becoming mainstream. Nonetheless, a recent consumer survey by SCS Global Services shows that today's shoppers already see food safety and sustainability as congruent. Read more about what's driving this convergence in SCS' latest blogpost.

Research, Reports & Publications

Owens Corning Publishes 12th Annual Sustainability Report

May 16, 2018 9:00 AM ET

Owens Corning (NYSE: OC) today published its 2017 Sustainability Report. The company’s 12th annual report, themed Purpose + People + Action, documents the progress made against its 2020 sustainability goals and its stated commitment to making the world a better place. The report also prominently features Owens Corning employee stories and employee images as a testament to their contributions.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Good Goes Global During Our Volunteer Week

May 16, 2018 8:55 AM ET

Research, Reports & Publications

Philip Morris International Sustainability Report Shows Relentless Business Shift Towards Smoke-Free Future

May 16, 2018 5:00 AM ET

Philip Morris International Inc. (“PMI”) (NYSE: PM) today published its third Sustainability Report (2017), outlining the concrete steps being taken to fundamentally transform its business by putting smoke-free products at the core of PMI’s sustainability efforts to address wider societal challenges, drive operational excellence, manage its social impact and reduce its environmental footprint.

Environment

Paul Ehrlich on Jaws

May 15, 2018 8:20 PM ET

Did you know that 300 years ago people had larger jaws? Why would this be the case and why is it important? Paul Ehrlich, the founding father of modern population sciences, is here to talk about his new book which is a bit of a diversion from his usual work – warning us to not have too many kids. This time, Ehrlich, along with co-author and orthodontist Sandra Kahn, explore the links between jaw size and an increased risk of heart disease, cancer, sleep apnea and hyperactivity. Today, Ehrlich discusses the evolutionary biology of jaws and talks about what people can do to reverse what he calls a “hidden epidemic.”

Diversity & Inclusion

Community Investment Has a Role to Play in a Diversity & Inclusion Strategy - Have you registered?

May 15, 2018 7:05 PM ET

Health & Healthcare

Gildan Donates $570,000 to Refurbish Majoncho Sosa Community Park in Honduras

May 15, 2018 5:15 PM ET

Gildan Activewear Inc. is announcing the opening of a newly refurbished community park in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, which was inaugurated yesterday by President Juan Orlando Hernández, Gildan representatives and members of the community. This park is the largest in the city, and second largest in the country, providing a modern, multi-sport recreational space to unite families and promote sporting activity as part of the “Parques para una Vida Mejor” (Better Life Parks) program.

Events, Media & Communications

Sustainable Brands Announces 2018 Innovation Open Semi-finalists

May 15, 2018 5:00 PM ET

Sustainable Brands® recently announced 11 semi-finalists to compete at the Sustainable Brands Innovation Open (SBIO) startup competition co-sponsored by Makersite and RISN Incubator at Arizona State University. The SBIO competition attracts world-changing entrepreneurial teams with unique ideas to solve some of the world’s pressing environmental and social concerns.