ESG News from Leading Brands

Diversity & Inclusion

How CSR Can Advance Gender Equity

Oct 13, 2017 12:45 PM ET

In recent years, companies have increasingly focused their CSR efforts on creating opportunities for women and girls. CSR gender efforts often start with a focus on bringing women “up to speed” through trainings, hiring quotas, and scholarships. For example, in the financial services sector, a significant number of companies have some portion of their CSR portfolio dedicated to financial literacy for women around the world. These investments focus on issues ranging from household finances to entrepreneurial business skills to salary negotiations.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Tata Consultancy Services Partners with American Red Cross to Support Disaster Relief Efforts

Oct 13, 2017 12:05 PM ET

The American Red Cross announced that Tata Consultancy Services a leading global IT services, consulting and business solutions organization, has pledged $500,000 to support Disaster Relief through the Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP). The pledge is in response to damage caused by Hurricane Harvey, Irma and Maria.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Don Slager Honored with Responsible CEO of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award

Oct 13, 2017 12:00 PM ET

Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE: RSG) is pleased to announce that Don Slager, president and CEO, is the recipient of CR Magazine’s 2017 Responsible CEO of the Year – Lifetime Achievement Award. The prestigious recognition is given annually to a CEO whose vision and pioneering spirit has led to significant achievements in corporate responsibility practices over the course of their career. The award was presented last night during the Responsible CEO Awards dinner at the MGM National Harbor®, near Washington, D.C., as part of the Corporate Responsibility Board’s COMMIT!Forum conference.

Media & Communications

The Global Aviation Industry, Carbon Emissions and Other Sustainability Issues in Focus

Oct 13, 2017 12:00 PM ET

Wondering about carbon emissions "contributed" by the global airline industry? One of the industry's leading publishers, Air Transport Action Group, cites the following:

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Duke Energy Awards More than $300,000 to 10 Urban Redevelopment Projects in Greater Cincinnati

Oct 13, 2017 11:55 AM ET

Greater Cincinnati's urban cores – and the lives of their residents – will continue to improve and benefit from transformational redevelopment projects thanks to Duke Energy's Urban Revitalization grants. Earlier today, the company announced 10 projects that will receive $307,352 in catalyst grants to support urban redevelopment and stimulate growth, job creation and further investments in our local communities.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Fairfield by Marriott Launches New National Partnership with Habitat for Humanity

Oct 13, 2017 11:35 AM ET

Habitat for Humanity and Fairfield by Marriott begin a national partnership this year, in celebration of Fairfield’s 30th anniversary.

As part of the partnership, Fairfield associates will join local Habitat organizations to help current and future homeowners build, rehab or repair their homes, helping to improve their communities and their living conditions.

Throughout October, hundreds of Fairfield associates will participate in build events across the U.S. and around the world. Projects will include the construction of new homes and rehabs or repairs to existing homes.

Energy

Hormel Sponsors Solar Project in Kansas

Oct 13, 2017 10:45 AM ET

Solar power is one of the cleanest forms of energy available, and many companies are embracing it as a central part of their strategy to reduce emissions and reach clean energy goals.

Natural food company Hormel Natural Choice is tapping the power of the sun through a partnership with a community project headed by Westar Energy, just 50 miles from its Dold Foods plant in Wichita, Kansas.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

PANDORA Turns Pink for a Good Cause

Oct 13, 2017 10:40 AM ET

Across the world, October is recognised as Breast Cancer Awareness (BCA) month. As a brand with a big heart and a history of supporting women through charitable causes, PANDORA is donating to the cause in various markets to raise awareness for a disease that affects millions of women worldwide. Some of the markets that are supporting local charitable initiatives are, among others, the US, Brazil, Spain and Hong Kong.

Research, Reports & Publications

Brand Purpose in Divided Times

Oct 13, 2017 10:30 AM ET

Whether it is extreme poverty, income inequality, corruption, human rights abuses or the ever-increasing impacts of climate change on agriculture and coastal living, more consumers are making the connection between corporate actions, the quality of their lives and the success of their communities – providing new challenges and opportunities for brand leadership.

Innovation & Technology

How Virtual Reality Can Help Us Imagine Life on the Red Planet

Oct 13, 2017 10:20 AM ET

P and NVIDIA have teamed up with other companies to launch HP Mars Home Planet — a global project using virtual reality to simulate what a human population of 1 million could look like on Mars.

Health & Healthcare

Top 5 Takeaways from the Acoustics #WELLography

Oct 13, 2017 10:15 AM ET

Have you ever wondered how the diverse soundscape you experience in your day to day can impact your health and productivity? This month, we released our Acoustics WELLography, which provides you with a comprehensive overview of sound and the built environment, how we experience and are impacted by sound, and strategies that can be applied to mitigate the negative risks associated with noise and other distracting sounds.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Local Organization Rolls Out a Mobile Kitchen in Efforts to Bring Health to Hartford

Oct 13, 2017 10:15 AM ET

Eating healthy can be costly but not doing so can come at a cost to your health. Since many in Hartford don’t have access to food, a local organization plans to bring it to the city’s poorest areas.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

In Memory of Yeardley Love, Family Seeks to Educate Young Adults on Warning Signs of Domestic Abuse

Oct 13, 2017 10:10 AM ET

In memory of Yeardley Love, a victim of domestic abuse, Sharon and Lexie Love founded the One Love Foundation to help make sure that this avoidable tragedy never happens to anybody else. The Loves hope to educate people, especially young adults, on the signs of unhealthy relationships so that they or their loved ones can get out of an abusive relationship before it’s too late.

Green Infrastructure

VIDEO | Schneider Electric Case Study of One of Hilton's Most Efficient and Sustainable Hotels

Oct 13, 2017 10:05 AM ET

The Largest Hilton Garden Inn Outside the U.S. Is Now One of Hilton’s Most Efficient and Sustainable Hotels.

Environment

Statement by Rebuilding Together on the Damage Caused by Wildfires on the West Coast

Oct 13, 2017 10:00 AM ET

Caroline Blakely, President and CEO of Rebuilding Together, made the following statement regarding the damage caused by wildfires on the West Coast.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Video: GRI's Vision for the Future of Reporting

Oct 13, 2017 10:00 AM ET

Having pioneered sustainability reporting in 1997, GRI remains the world’s pre-eminent sustainability standard-setter. But what are the next steps for GRI and the vision for the future of reporting? Watch this video to find out.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

WFXT Boston 25 Announces Robert Cuddi as Boston’s 2017 Cox Conserves Hero

Oct 13, 2017 10:00 AM ET

WFXT Boston 25, in partnership with The Trust for Public Land today named Robert Cuddi as Boston’s 2017 Cox Conserves Hero. New England Aquarium, Cuddi’s nonprofit beneficiary, will receive $10,000. Cuddi was among the three finalists who were nominated by the public then chosen by local judging panels to compete in an online vote.

Education

Student Trio Cash in on New De Beers Partnership

Oct 13, 2017 9:30 AM ET

The young trio, from the company’s mining communities, were selected from the De Beers Financial Study Assistance Scheme and awarded R80,000 each towards their tuition fees and study material by the Dell Development Fund. They also received brand new Dell laptops as part of the bursary.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

FCW’s GreenStep 2017

Oct 13, 2017 9:25 AM ET

George Bandy, Mohawk’s vice president of sustainability, was the first-ever winner of the GreenStep People Award, and said he was humbled and honored to be recognized. “I think this particular kind of awards ceremony gives us the opportunity to celebrate all of our successes and pushes us to move forward around all these areas like health and wellness, social sustainability and financial acuity,” he said. “As we do that, we get to collaborate, and move forward as an industry for Mother Nature.”

Health & Healthcare

Make a Difference in the World Using Your Hands

Oct 13, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Global Handwashing Day 2017 is Sunday, October 15th. Our theme is "Get your hands dirty for hand hygiene".

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Bacardi Helps with Puerto Rico Recovery as It Opens First “Stop & Go” Community Relief Center

Oct 12, 2017 4:35 PM ET

Bacardi opened its first “Emergency Stop & Go” community relief center in Cataño, Puerto Rico, on October 2. The center provides a safe place for those in the neighboring communities to the BACARDI rum facility to come daily for food, water, medical care, government services and activities.

Green Infrastructure

WBCSD Insider Perspective | 2017 Cement Sustainability Initiative Forum: "Growing Together Through the SDGs"

Oct 12, 2017 4:10 PM ET

Last week the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)'s Cement Sustainability Initiative (CSI) held its 11th annual forum in New Delhi, India. The event focused on how, through sharing knowledge and experience, the private sector can capture and build on the opportunities offered by the SDGs and understand the risks of inaction.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Siblings Through Adoption, but Connected for Life

Oct 12, 2017 4:00 PM ET

Environment

Smithfield Foods Announces New, Industry-Leading Environmental Initiative, Smithfield Renewables

Oct 12, 2017 3:30 PM ET

Smithfield Foods, Inc. announced today the launch of Smithfield Renewables, a new platform within the organization that will unify, lead and accelerate the company’s industry-leading carbon reduction and renewable energy efforts. Smithfield Renewables will ensure the company meets its environmental commitments including its goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 25 percent by 2025.

Diversity & Inclusion

Diversity Drives Innovation

Oct 12, 2017 3:05 PM ET

Despite being one of the most diverse cities in the country, Philadelphia’s entrepreneurial and executive community is not reciprocally represented by Black, Latinx, and other ethnic groups. While people of color constitute 55% of the population, a 2016 Census Bureau survey found that just 15% of Philadelphia businesses are operated by non-white owners.

Comcast NBCUniversal hopes to address these disparities across the city by supporting Black & Brown Founders and other organizations that promote diverse business investment and give more groups the support and resources they need to start their own companies.