ESG News from Leading Brands

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Comcast NBCUniversal Named Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality

Nov 27, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Diversity and inclusion are a top priority at Comcast NBCUniversal, and the company is committed to creating a culture of inclusion for our LGBTQ employees. OUT, Comcast NBCUniversal’s LGBTQ-focused Employee Resource Group (ERG), engages people at all levels of the organization, empowering employees to drive exceptional business results while supporting an inclusive, collaborative company culture. The group has grown to over 4,000 members across more than 20 chapters. OUT@NBCUniversal, founded in 1986, was one of the nation’s first LGBTQ-focused ERGs.

Education

Scotiabank Donates $400K to Keyano Education Initiatives

Nov 27, 2017 8:35 AM ET

A $400,000 donation from Scotiabank will go towards sponsoring an annual case competition and bursary program for Indigenous business students at Keyano College.

Diversity & Inclusion

'It's My Aim to Make a Difference' Says De Beers Group's Trizelle Olivier

Nov 27, 2017 8:20 AM ET

Trizelle started at Namdeb in July 2013, working as a temp receptionist. In December that same year, she became permanent as the Human Resources Business Partner.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

NBCUniversal Kicks off 9th Annual “Green Is Universal” Holiday Campaign in Partnership With Arbor Day Foundation

Nov 27, 2017 8:00 AM ET

The Arbor Day Foundation is partnering with NBCUniversal for the ninth annual "Green Is Universal" holiday campaign. NBCUniversal will support tree-planting efforts to promote recovery in disaster-stricken areas brought on by the 2017 hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria.

Energy

Expert Interview With Tracey Dubuque, Onshore Wind Energy Practice Leader

Nov 27, 2017 8:00 AM ET

Tracey Dubuque has worked with Tetra Tech for more than 15 years. She began her career as an engineer working in Tetra Tech’s remediation group. In 2005, she transitioned to working on energy projects, supporting front-end permitting and siting for various wind developers. In 2013, she became the practice leader for Tetra Tech’s onshore wind program.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Carlsberg Group Ready with First Carbon-Neutral Brewery

Nov 24, 2017 10:30 AM ET

Earlier this year, the Carlsberg Group launched a new sustainability programme - Together Towards Zero. One of its four ambitions "Zero Carbon Footprint" is supported by a target to eliminate carbon emissions from all breweries and achieving a 30% reduction in the beer-in-hand carbon footprint by 2030. To achieve the ambitious targets, Carlsberg Group’s breweries will use 100 percent renewable electricity and eliminate coal as a source of energy by 2022.

As part of this journey, Carlsberg Sverige’s brewery in Falkenberg is now fuelled 100% on biogas and green electricity, which reduces the brewery's carbon emissions from thermal energy and electricity to zero.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Keep North Charleston Beautiful Completes Park Circle Butterfly Garden Improvements

Nov 24, 2017 10:00 AM ET

Keep North Charleston Beautiful (KNCB) installed a much-needed handicap and wheelchair accessible pathway and seating area in the Park Circle Butterfly Garden this fall, thanks to a 2017 Keep America Beautiful/Lowe's Community Partners Grant.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Microsoft’s World-Class Approach to Employee Engagement

Nov 24, 2017 8:45 AM ET

In this video, Microsoft Philanthropies Director of Employee Engagement Karen Bergin reveals the strategies that elevated their company’s workplace giving and volunteering program to a record 74% participation rate (with 70,000 employees!).

Sustainable Development Goals

Call for Business Tools That Can Be Mapped Against the SDGs

Nov 24, 2017 8:10 AM ET

GRI, the UN Global Compact and WBCSD are inviting further submissions to an inventory, which is part of the SDG Compass, to support organizations in measuring their contributions to the SDGs.​

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

The ASPCA Hosts First-Ever Facebook Live-a-Thon for Giving Tuesday!

Nov 24, 2017 8:00 AM ET

In honor of Giving Tuesday, a globally celebrated day of giving, the ASPCA is teaming up with Animal Planet and Subaru of America, Inc. to host an all-day Facebook Live Telethon. On November 28, tune into the ASPCA’s Facebook channel for nine exciting and heartwarming segments that will give you a closer look at how we’re changing the lives of animals everywhere with the help of friends like you.

Research, Reports & Publications

LBG Canada Data Stories: LBG Canada Companies Invest $528M in Community in 2016

Nov 24, 2017 8:00 AM ET

LBG Canada companies invested $413 million dollars in community, through cash, time, in kind gifts, and program management costs, but they also managed to increase their total footprint by over $115 million through the contributions of their stakeholders.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation Names Sodexo SVP Gerri Mason Hall as New Chair

Nov 22, 2017 5:55 PM ET

Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation announced that Gerri Mason Hall, senior vice president of human resources services, Sodexo North America, became the new Chair on September 1. As Chair, Mason Hall will lead the Foundation’s efforts to mobilize partners that are developing long-term solutions to end childhood hunger in America based on the belief that no child should be hungry today or risk being hungry again tomorrow.

Social Impact & Volunteering

On Thanksgiving, 1 in 6 Children Wonder If They Are Going to Eat

Nov 22, 2017 4:20 PM ET

Humbled and grateful. These are the two words – and feelings – that keep coming to me as I reflect on my experience with the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation. And it’s these words that seem the best description of how I’m feeling this Thanksgiving as I step into my new role as President of the Foundation.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

ASPCA Hosts "Cat Friday” Fee-Waived Adoption Event as Part of the Subaru Share the Love Event

Nov 22, 2017 3:00 PM ET

On Friday, November 24, the ASPCA is celebrating its 7th Annual Cat Friday adoption event for the nearly 100 cats and kittens currently available for adoption at the ASPCA Adoption Center. For the first time in its 10-year partnership, the ASPCA will be hosting Cat Friday as a Subaru Share the Love fee-waived adoption event, in support of the ASPCA and the automaker’s longstanding commitment to help animals across the country.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

AEG to Serve More Than 2,000 Thanksgiving Meals Throughout Los Angeles Area

Nov 22, 2017 1:30 PM ET

Throughout November, AEG and its affiliates have teamed up with various nonprofit organizations to provide more than 2,000 Thanksgiving meals throughout the Los Angeles community as part of AEG’s Season of Giving, a company initiative that encourages AEG employees to engage in charitable activities and to HOPE. ACT. GIVE. throughout their local communities.

Education

Harrisburg School District Incorporates Computational Thinking Into Its Curriculum to Empower Students with Skills for Future Careers

Nov 22, 2017 12:05 PM ET

Health & Healthcare

Save Room for Dessert

Nov 22, 2017 10:50 AM ET

First, let me dispel a common myth: Nutritionists do enjoy sweets. Dark chocolate is pretty hard for me to resist. And sometimes I just need to make chocolate chip cookies! What I don’t love, however, is the notion of a guilty pleasure. No one should ever feel bad when they’re eating something that tastes good. So I propose taking that phrase out of our vocabulary.

Innovation & Technology

How Nonprofits Harness Artificial Intelligence to Make a Better World

Nov 22, 2017 10:40 AM ET

The idea of access to artificial intelligence (often referred to as “AI” for short) for all is still at a nascent stage. Nevertheless, its potential is limitless – from refugee assistance, to helping students at risk of not completing school, to shortening the response time for teens who are in a personal crisis. During the recent Dreamforce conference in San Francisco, several nonprofit leaders discussed how the use of artificial intelligence and other technologies, such as machine learning, can dramatically improve lives – including those of many who live in the most underserved communities.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Booz Allen Executive VP Angie Messer Named a Woman of Influence by the Executive Women’s Forum

Nov 22, 2017 10:35 AM ET

Booz Allen Hamilton executive vice president Angie Messer has been named a “Woman of Influence” by the Executive Women’s Forum (EWF). The distinction is given to four women each year in recognition of their “accomplishments and leadership roles in the fields of Information Security, Risk Management and Privacy.” The 2017 awards were given at the 15th Annual EWF National Conference held in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Sustainable Development Goals

Scarcity Is The Mother Of Innovation: Anirban Ghosh, Chief Sustainability Officer, Mahindra Group

Nov 22, 2017 10:05 AM ET

On 15th November, during the India and Sustainability Standards 2017 conference organized by Centre for Responsible Business, there was a high-level panel discussion on ‘towards strategies for the commons – pro-sustainability innovations in business models and strategies’, which was convened by Terry Nelidov, Managing Director, Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise, University of Michigan.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

SC Johnson Argentina Named Best Workplace for 14th Time

Nov 22, 2017 10:00 AM ET

SC Johnson today announced SC Johnson Argentina has been recognized as a 2017 Best Workplace by the Great Place to Work® Institute. The organization ranked fourth on the list of Best Medium-Sized Multinational Companies in the country. The win in Argentina is SC Johnson’s 17th Best Workplace recognition in 2017.

Sustainable Development Goals

An Interview With MetLife’s Josh Wiener on Sustainability

Nov 22, 2017 10:00 AM ET

When people think “insurance company,” they don’t typically jump to greenhouse gas emissions or environmental sustainability. However, even a business built around intangible services such as home and life insurance still has a carbon footprint. MetLife’s Assistant Vice President of Global Sustainability and Facilities Management, Josh Wiener, sat down with Ethisphere editor Tyler Lawrence to talk about sustainability, getting to carbon neutrality, and reaching skeptical employees.

Diversity & Inclusion

CBRE Debuts Women's Network Simulcast Featuring "A Conversation with Amy Cuddy"

Nov 22, 2017 10:00 AM ET

CBRE hosted its first-ever simulcast for members of the CBRE Women’s Network, on November 9. The live-streaming presentation, called "A Conversation with Amy Cuddy," was viewed by more than 3,000 CBRE women and men across the U.S., Canada, Latin America and Australia.

Amy Cuddy, the keynote speaker, is a Harvard Business School professor who studies how nonverbal behavior and snap judgments affect people in business settings. She spoke in person, exclusively to the Women's Network at the main event in New York City, and her presentation was broadcast to more than 80 CBRE viewing locations worldwide.

The simulcast was the cornerstone of a half-day, professional development opportunity for all CBRE women.

Energy

Consumers Energy Provides $100,000 Payment to Jackson Manufacturer for Using Less Energy on Hottest Days

Nov 22, 2017 10:00 AM ET

A Jackson manufacturer is being rewarded with an $100,000 incentive from Consumers Energy for its effort to help lower energy costs for homes and businesses across Michigan.

Education

Scotiabank Video: Why We Invest in Financial Knowledge

Nov 22, 2017 9:45 AM ET

When our customers know how to make better financial decisions, they can become better off. We educate our customers by providing them with an understanding of how they can plan for a better future and by offering fairly designed products and services.