ESG News from Leading Brands

Media & Communications

Dryver Partners With Korbel California Champagne to Provide 2,018 Free Designated Drivers During the Holiday Season

Dec 1, 2017 3:00 PM ET

Dryver, the nation’s largest personal driver service for both individuals and businesses, today announced its partnership with Korbel California Champagne to help everyone have a safe holiday season by offering 2,018 free designated drivers during the month of December.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

The CFE Fund: Helping Cities Help Their Residents Find Financial Stability

Dec 1, 2017 2:30 PM ET

Working in communities across the country, the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund is implementing programs and training leaders to help expand access to financial services and education for unbanked and underbanked individuals.

Research, Reports & Publications

Comunitas Releases 10-Year Retrospective of Corporate Social Activities in Brazil

Dec 1, 2017 2:20 PM ET

Today, Comunitas, a civil society organization based in São Paulo, Brazil, published the 10th edition of The Corporate Social Investment Benchmarking (or BISC, Benchmarking do Investimento Social Corporativo in Portuguese), a comprehensive overview of the achievements in this space over the last ten years.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Booz Allen Training Program, “Leadership in Focus: Be Inclusive” Receives Gold-Level Recognition from Chief Learning Officer Magazine

Dec 1, 2017 2:00 PM ET

In September of 2016, Booz Allen launched the “Leadership in Focus” series to develop critical skills and behaviors for leaders at all levels of the firm. The first course in the series, “Be Inclusive,” trains leaders about the behaviors required to create an inclusive work environment. At the heart of this initiative are diversity pioneers like David Sylvester, director of learning and development at Booz Allen. Sylvester recently accepted the Gold-Level Learning in Practice Award by Chief Learning Officer (CLO) magazine on behalf of the firm in recognition of its employee development program.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Albertsons, Customers Donate 2,616 Full Turkey Dinners to Idahoans in Need

Dec 1, 2017 2:00 PM ET

Albertsons employees and customers worked together to raise funds this month to help solve hunger in Idaho, and on Thursday, Albertsons came to The Idaho Foodbank with a truck filled with 2,616 full turkey dinners for the families who need them most.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Scotiabank Donates One Million Dollars to the Rick Hansen Foundation School Program Empowering a New Generation of Accessibility Champions

Dec 1, 2017 1:35 PM ET

Scotiabank celebrates International Day for Persons with Disabilities by announcing a one million dollar donation to the Rick Hansen Foundation School Program.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Making Apparel Better™ - Gildan Recognizes Young Athletes for Excellence in Sports, Academics and Community Leadership

Dec 1, 2017 12:00 PM ET

For the 12th year, Gildan is proud to be a partner of the Foundation for Athletes of Excellence in Québec (FAEQ) in recognizing outstanding student athletes that combine strong athletic performances with excellent academic results. For the past several years Gildan has sponsored the Leadership Category which adds an extra dimension for students that demonstrate leadership skills in creating community based programs that deliver a benefit to society.

Innovation & Technology

UPS Launches Sustainable Deliveries in Frankfurt

Dec 1, 2017 11:20 AM ET

UPS will implement a sustainable delivery concept in the inner city of Frankfurt. UPS employees will make deliveries with electrically assisted cargo bikes and on foot.

Health & Healthcare

Merck for Mothers Proudly Announces Partnership with USAID to Launch the World’s First Healthcare Development Impact Bond

Dec 1, 2017 11:10 AM ET

This partnership will reach up to 600,000 pregnant women with improved care during delivery and save as many as 10,000 lives over a five year period by improving the quality of private healthcare facilities that support a region of 75 million people. The State Ministry of Health in Rajasthan has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the partners to invest in and scale up the partnership should the pilot program be successful.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Republic Services Prepares 5 Tons of Food Bank Donations for Distribution in Phoenix

Dec 1, 2017 11:00 AM ET

Sustainable Development Goals

Bringing You a Perfect – and Sustainable – Cup of Joe

Dec 1, 2017 10:25 AM ET

Having a good cup of coffee is a morning ritual for most of us. There’s nothing like the aroma of that first cup. At Walmart, we are working to provide a range of coffee product options that are affordable, high-quality and that build trust with our customers. One way we’re doing this is by sourcing third-party certified sustainably-grown coffee for products sold in our stores and clubs.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Teamwork: Medtronic Helps Villalba Restore Power

Dec 1, 2017 10:25 AM ET

City leaders had planned to use the nearby Toro Negro hydroelectric plant to power the town of Villalba in case Hurricane Maria knocked out the island’s electricity. Built in the 1920’s, the historic plant had once powered the town. But in recent decades it gave way to Puerto Rico’s power grid. It still produced some power, but not for Villalba. But in the aftermath of Maria, when it came time to power up, the plant did not work. Medtronic assisted with critical repairs to bring electricity back.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Once-Troubled Teen Blossoms with Knox County Adoptive Family

Dec 1, 2017 10:05 AM ET

If she were to wait for just the right place or occasion, Sariah Brady figures, she might never wear the cherry-red swing coat. So why not grab it for the short walk to the family auto shop? Sariah’s mom smiles as she and her 18-year-old daughter, an aspiring model, stride past modest houses and work trucks along Washington Street. With her dark curls and high heels and bright coat, Sariah is resplendent against the gray November sky.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Timberland Helps Gather Provide Thanksgiving Dinners

Dec 1, 2017 10:00 AM ET

Green Infrastructure

LIXIL and TEPCO Energy Partner Establish Joint Venture to Promote Eco-Friendly Net Zero Energy Houses (ZEH)

Dec 1, 2017 9:45 AM ET

While energy conservation efforts in Japan are progressing, household energy consumption continues to rise. The Japanese government has set a goal for more than half of all newly- constructed detached houses to be ZEH by 2020, and almost all newly-built houses by 2030. However, ZEH accounted for only about 4.3% of newly built detached houses in fiscal 2016, indicating a low rate of adoption.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth Hosts ‘Feel Good Fridays’

Dec 1, 2017 9:40 AM ET

On a weekly basis, Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth (NPHY) visits at-risk communities to host a street outreach event called ‘Feel Good Fridays.’ During the event, volunteers give back to young people who are in need of a helping hand. Las Vegas Sands, through our commitment to being a good corporate citizen in the communities in which we operate, is one of NPHY’s biggest supporters in the community through its corporate giving program Sands Cares, and together they are combating youth homelessness.

Green Infrastructure

Waterworks: How Cities Around the World Protect and Maintain Their Water Supplies

Dec 1, 2017 9:30 AM ET

Turning on the faucet and expecting clean, purified water to flow through the tap is a modern-day luxury that many take for granted. In most industrialized cities around the world, drinking water is readily available and safe, but to maintain its sustainability, protecting its sources is vital.

Safeguarding ground water (aquifers), streams, rivers, reservoirs and lakes in the United States is crucial to the country’s ongoing economic and social development, and most importantly, it is key to maintaining a healthy, thriving civilization.

While some cities have extensive water systems in place for people to drink, bathe and cook, others are working to improve or overhaul their methods to ensure that they’re providing residents with high-quality H20.

Health & Healthcare

Creating the Mentally Healthy Workplace

Dec 1, 2017 9:20 AM ET

IWBI looks at how employers can support employees by embedding mental health initiatives into their workplace wellness programs.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

HP Named Finalist in The Circulars Award Program

Dec 1, 2017 9:15 AM ET

HP has been selected as a Finalist in The Ecolab Award for Circular Economy Tech Disruptor. The Circulars, an initiative of the World Economic Forum and the Forum of Young Global Leaders, is the world’s premier circular economy award program.

Green Infrastructure

Delos™ and Tsinghua University Collaborate to Advance Mutual Interests in Societal Health Outcomes for Both the United States and China Through Healthy City Research

Dec 1, 2017 9:15 AM ET

Delos™ announced that its China subsidiary, Delos (Beijing) Building Technology Co., Ltd. (Delos Beijing), entered into a cooperation agreement with Tsinghua University that will establish a Healthy City Research Center (HCRC). The cooperation will further scientific research on solutions and strategies to improve human health and well-being in the built environment, communities and cities. Research findings may potentially inform policy making to address public health challenges in Chinese and global cities.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Northern Trust to Provide Investment Advisory Services to Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation

Dec 1, 2017 9:05 AM ET

Northern Trust announced today that its Foundation and Institutional Advisors Group (FIA) has been selected to provide investment and strategic advisory services for Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation (TPWF). TPWF provides private support to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to ensure that all Texans, today and in the future, can enjoy the wild things and wild places of Texas.

Innovation & Technology

An Old Industry Reinvented by Technological Upheaval

Dec 1, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Until relatively recently, the mining industry has been slow to innovate. Now, virtually every area of mining is undergoing a technological upheaval. At the forefront of this transformation in mining are disruptive technologies – ground-breaking concepts that challenge traditional and accepted practices and are shaking up the industry.

Energy

Natural Gas Poised to Unlock Latin America Power Prospects

Dec 1, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Latin America’s rising demand for natural gas presents broad opportunities across the industry. While these opportunities may be most acutely present in Mexico — where a steadily growing economy is catalyzing soaring natural gas imports from the United States — conditions across the region reflect positive trends for U.S. producers and midstream players. Emerging markets are eager to tap U.S. supplies and seize on natural gas’s potential as a low cost, reliable and cleaner power generation source.

Events, Media & Communications

Serenbe Hosts 2018 Biophilic Leadership Summit, Sponsored By Interface

Dec 1, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Those interested in learning how to implement sustainable, biophilic practices in their communities can do so at the 2018 Biophilic Leadership Summit, held at Serenbe. Along with The Biophilic Institute and Biophilic Cities, and sponsored by Interface, Serenbe will host the summit April 8-11, 2018.

Sustainable Development Goals

The L’OCCITANE Group and Burkina Faso: A Long-term Commitment to Improving the Lives of Burkinabe Women

Dec 1, 2017 8:50 AM ET

The L’OCCITANE Group has been working to improve the lives and working conditions of Burkinabe women for more than 30 years. To measure the impact of its ongoing support, the natural cosmetics and well-being products group conducted a study with Business Call to Action (BCtA), a global inclusive business platform hosted by the United Nations Development Programme.