ESG News from Leading Brands

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

BET, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, Spike and VH1 Are Viacom’s NAACP Image Award Nominees

Dec 5, 2017 9:45 AM ET

We’re thrilled to report that Viacom’s brands have just been nominated for a total of 16 NAACP Image Awards across BET, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, Spike and VH1. The awards honor outstanding achievements of people of color and those who promote social justice in the arts, and we couldn’t be more proud of our nominees — see the list below. Winners will be announced at a live ceremony on Martin Luther King Day (Monday, Jan. 15).

Research, Reports & Publications

Ceres, Global Investors With $6 Trillion in AUM Release First-Ever Toolkit for Managing Water Risks in Investment Portfolios

Dec 5, 2017 9:20 AM ET

The first-ever, comprehensive, online toolkit for investors to evaluate and understand water risks was released today by the sustainability nonprofit organization, Ceres, along with an analysis of water risk in major global indices.

The Ceres Investor Water Toolkit was produced in partnership with more than 40 members of the Ceres Investor Water Hub, a working group of more than 90 global institutional investment firms within the Ceres Investor Network on Climate Risk and Sustainability. Members producing the toolkit collectively manage $6 trillion in assets.

Research, Reports & Publications

Resilience in a Box – Resources and Tools for Business Resilience & Preparedness

Dec 5, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Developed in partnership with The UPS Foundation, the World Economic Forum (WEF), and the Disaster Resistant Business (DRB) Toolkit Workgroup, Resilience in a Box is based on best practices and designed to educate newcomers on business resilience. These resources will guide companies toward addressing preparedness issues while building in flexibility to handle potential business interruptions.

Research, Reports & Publications

Schneider Electric Has Become One of the Few CAC 40 Companies Going Beyond Legislation to Achieve Emission Reduction Targets

Dec 5, 2017 8:55 AM ET

The sustainability reporting performance of the CAC 40 , evaluated by Ecoact -- the climate expert firm -- examines the extent and quality of the carbon and sustainability measurement, reporting and reduction by France’s 40 largest companies using publicly available information.

Sustainable Development Goals

WBCSD's Panorama Podcast | Non-financial Reporting – What Is It, and Why Is It So Important?

Dec 5, 2017 8:15 AM ET

Environment

World Soil Day: Reflecting on Soil Health’s Growing Recognition

Dec 5, 2017 8:15 AM ET

The Soil Health Partnership has built a network of 111 farmers across 12 states, from North Dakota to Maryland. These farmers have raised their hands to join in learning about how a little science and soil health can help improve cropping system resiliency, economic performance and environmental outcomes (water quality, air quality, and biodiversity).

Research, Reports & Publications

Business Leaders Leveraging Community Investment as an Opportunity to Drive Innovation, Vibrant Workforces: New Study

Dec 5, 2017 8:00 AM ET

Canada's leading corporations widely recognize the business opportunity in putting their brands and resources behind worthy causes, and many plan to increase their community investments, according to a new study issued by Imagine Canada and LBG (London Benchmarking Group) Canada. The 2017 Corporate Community Investment Leadership study expects corporate giving will advance in 2018, driven by economic growth, heightened appreciation of community investment, customer expectations and high rates of employee interest.

Education

Here’s How You Can Join Computer Science Education Week in 2017

Dec 4, 2017 7:55 PM ET

As Mary Snapp, Corporate Vice President of Microsoft Philanthropies, wrote on the Official Microsoft Blog last month, “Learning to think critically through coding is the single most important step students can take to prepare themselves to fully participate in, and benefit from, the digital economy.”

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

MGM MACAU Receives Global Recognition for its Efforts to Fight Human Trafficking

Dec 4, 2017 5:00 PM ET

Thomson Reuters Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the world’s biggest news and information provider, selected MGM MACAU as a top 15 global finalist for the “Stop Slavery Award” this month.

The esteemed award recognizes companies that have taken concrete steps to eradicate forced labor from their supply chains. MGM MACAU was identified for its best practices and continued leadership in combating human trafficking across the globe.

Research, Reports & Publications

The Role of the Private Sector in Women's Economic Empowerment

Dec 4, 2017 4:40 PM ET

The Global Business Coalition for Women’s Economic Empowerment (GBCforWEE) brings together a group of major multinational corporations - who were first convened in 2014 by Professor Linda Scott, Emeritus DP World Chair for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, as part of the Corporate summit on women's economic empowerment - to discuss how better to include women in the world economy.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Reopening Dirty Truck Loophole Is Bad for the Economy and Public Health

Dec 4, 2017 4:30 PM ET

Testifying today at the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) hearing on repealing the glider provisions in the Phase 2 national fuel economy standard for heavy-duty vehicles, Carol Lee Rawn, Transportation Program Director at Ceres, made the following statement:

“Repealing the glider emission requirements would have a detrimental impact on both the economy and environment. The proposed changes would undermine the competitiveness of the U.S. freight truck industry, is contrary to business interests, and would increase harmful emissions and healthcare costs.”

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

PayPal Community Donates $64 Million on #GivingTuesday

Dec 4, 2017 4:15 PM ET

At PayPal, we are motivated and united by a central mission: to democratize financial services so that as many people and businesses as possible can join and thrive in the digital economy. That’s a big mission. It’s challenging to achieve, and progress can sometimes be difficult to measure. Yet one of the more demonstrable areas is the impact that PayPal has on charitable giving. I am thrilled to share that $64 million was donated to charities and non-profits via the PayPal platform on #GivingTuesday. This is a 33% increase over donations in 2016, and includes donations originating from 175 different countries.

Environment

SC Johnson Takes Action to Save Racine Area Water

Dec 4, 2017 4:00 PM ET

SC Johnson today announced a donation of $35,000 to the Root-Pike Watershed Initiative Network. The donation will support Root-Pike WIN’s restoration projects, with the goal of significantly reducing runoff pollution, flooding issues, and habitat degradation that threaten Racine, Wisconsin area streams and Lake Michigan.

Events, Media & Communications

Early Bird Pricing for Living Future 18

Dec 4, 2017 3:00 PM ET

Celebrate 12 years of innovation with us at Living Future 2018 in Portland, Oregon from May 1-4. Register before December 6, 11:59 PM PST, and take $100 off your ticket for this year’s 3-day conference highlighting Authenticity + Action.

Environment

Healthy Food Starts with Healthy Soil

Dec 4, 2017 2:30 PM ET

A life cycle assessment of Nestlé Purina U.S. showed that our biggest environmental impact happens before the ingredients even reach our production facilities. Since we don’t own the farms or fisheries where our quality ingredients are grown or raised, we partner with growers and organizations along the supply chain to address challenges together.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Ecocentricity Blog: Giving a Better Gift

Dec 4, 2017 1:30 PM ET

There is so much that is good about this time of year. That said, sometimes the holidays can turn into forced consumerism, and that isn’t good. So please give to others, but give mindfully.

Education

Why IBM Invests Time and Dollars in the Institute for CSR

Dec 4, 2017 1:25 PM ET

At IBM, we view talent development as a core value and a key element of our current and future success. Investing in employee training not only helps attract and retain great team members, it also builds loyalty, inspires creativity, and increases our reputation as a company. But, employee development, like many areas of business requires planning, investment, and an eye towards the future.

Environment

5 Insight-Driven Articles Every Tech Company EHS Leader Should Read

Dec 4, 2017 1:15 PM ET

Antea Group offers 5 rich articles for EHS leaders in the tech industry gathered from the 2017 EHSxTech event discussions and meetings.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Philips and Dell on Revolutionizing Global Supply Chains – Complimentary Webinar

Dec 4, 2017 1:00 PM ET

For most companies their greatest risks and impacts lie within their supply chains. To truly address areas such as; GHG emissions, Human Rights violations and water usage companies need to work with a whole host of partners.

Events, Media & Communications

How to Start a Social Impact Program That Benefits Both Business Objectives and Communities

Dec 4, 2017 1:00 PM ET

Join thinkPARALLAX and Qualcomm™ Wireless Reach®, on Wednesday, December 7 at 10 AM PST, to learn how a social impact program can benefit both business objectives and communities.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

17 Kids Get Forever Families in Franklin County on National Adoption Day

Dec 4, 2017 12:10 PM ET

Seventeen children will be tucked into beds at their "forever homes" after an adoption ceremony at the Franklin County Courthouse. November is National Adoption Month and Thursday's 18th annual event is raising awareness of more than 110,000 children in foster care nationwide needing permanent, loving families.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

PC Habitat for Humanity Dedicates 10th Home

Dec 4, 2017 12:00 PM ET

Whirlpool Corporation volunteers pitched in to help complete construction of a Habitat for Humanity home for a woman and her daughter, who is handicapped, in Ottawa.

Health & Healthcare

Gilead Announces 10-Year, $100 Million Commitment to Address the HIV/AIDS Epidemic in the Southern United States

Dec 4, 2017 12:00 PM ET

Gilead Sciences, Inc.(NASDAQ:GILD) today announced the launch of the Gilead COMPASS (COMmitment to Partnership in Addressing HIV/AIDS in Southern States) Initiative, a 10-year, $100 million commitment to support organizations working to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the Southern United States. Gilead will partner with three coordinating centers to lead the corporate giving program of the initiative: Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Workand the Southern AIDS Coalition. These coordinating centers will identify and provide funding to local organizations that are committed to addressing the epidemic throughout the region, focusing on capacity building and shared knowledge; wellbeing, mental health and trauma-informed care

Diversity & Inclusion

At Walmart, Every Day is Veterans Day

Dec 4, 2017 11:35 AM ET

Every year, we come together as a nation to honor and thank the men and women who have made countless sacrifices to protect our freedoms. At Walmart, we know we all have a role to play when it comes to serving those who have served us. In fact, we hosted a Veterans Day celebration yesterday at our headquarters, championing our own veteran associates and the pride, talent and value they bring to our greater Walmart community. We’re passionate about our commitment to support men and women throughout their service journey, but our promise doesn’t end after November 11. It’s not enough to honor veterans only one day a year.

Diversity & Inclusion

Are You Building an Inclusive Employee Experience Through Your Corporate Giving Program?

Dec 4, 2017 11:25 AM ET

Whether through aging or injury, any of us can lose our ability to interact with the world around us, either temporarily or permanently. That’s why it’s important to remember that accessibility is for everyone. Director of Product Design at Benevity, Jim Olson, shares a personal story in this blog - showing the human impact that often takes a back seat to data and metrics when discussing diversity and inclusion.