ESG News from Leading Brands

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

KeyBank Provides $46 Million in Total Financing for Affordable Housing in Colorado

Oct 6, 2017 5:00 PM ET

KeyBank Community Development Lending & Investment (CDLI) has provided a total of $46 million in financing to Dominium for the new construction of North Range Crossing, a 216-unit affordable multifamily project in Commerce City, CO. KeyBank arranged for the affordable housing and development company a $32.8 million construction loan and a $13.1 million equity bridge loan using tax-exempt bonds issued by the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) and an allocation of 4% LIHTC credits.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

LA Galaxy to Host Shared Plate Celebration to Benefit L.A. Kitchen

Oct 6, 2017 4:45 PM ET

AEG’s LA Galaxy Foundation and LA Galaxy supporter groups Angel City Brigade and LA Riot Squad will host a Shared Plate Celebration on Saturday, Oct. 7 prior to Fan Appreciation Night during LA Galaxy II’s match against Portland Timbers 2 at StubHub Center Track & Field Stadium. Shared Plates, an L.A. Kitchen initiative, is a city-wide weekend of dinner parties from Oct. 6-8, 2017 to rally Angelenos in the fight against hunger, food waste, and unemployment.

Education

Students With Sustained and Innovative Hunger-Fighting Ideas Can Apply for Scholarships From the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation

Oct 6, 2017 4:35 PM ET

The Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation today announced the opening of the application period for the 2018 Stephen J. Brady Stop Hunger Scholarships which will run from October 5 through December 5, 2017. The scholarship program urges students to apply to #Get5Give5 to help end hunger in their communities.

Education

AT&T and Girls Scouts Teach Kids the Power of Code

Oct 6, 2017 4:25 PM ET

I loved being a Brownie. My mom was our troop leader, and it was fun to sing “Make new friends but keep the old” in a round. I felt proud earning badges and wearing my uniform, and liked competing with the other girls in my troop on who could sell the most Girl Scout cookies. I now realize that these early lessons in setting goals, learning new skills and being part of a team helped prepare me for adulthood.

Innovation & Technology

Ingersoll Rand to Host Thousands of Future Skilled Workers at Its Facilities Around the World to Celebrate Manufacturing Day

Oct 6, 2017 4:05 PM ET

Ingersoll Rand (NYSE: IR), a world leader in creating comfortable, sustainable and efficient environments, will participate in Manufacturing Day at its facilities around the world. During a month-long schedule of events, Ingersoll Rand is inviting students to tour their facilities and learn about career opportunities in modern manufacturing.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Keep Genesee County Beautiful Brings Brand New Playground to Flint

Oct 6, 2017 3:00 PM ET

The landscape at Flint, Michigan's Sarvis Park recently changed for the better to include a brand new playscape, thanks to the work of Keep America Beautiful Affiliate Keep Genesee County Beautiful, its loyal volunteers, and many community organizations.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Jim Pisani: National Service Is a National Treasure

Oct 6, 2017 3:00 PM ET

Congress is back from its August recess and will debate budget appropriations for fiscal year 2018 in the coming months. Thankfully, both the Senate and House Appropriations committees have approved maintaining funding for the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the federal agency that runs AmeriCorps and Senior Corps, and funds other national service programs. At Timberland, we believe strongly in the power of service, and we applaud this bipartisan support for national service.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Kimberly-Clark Named to Working Mother’s “100 Best Companies”

Oct 6, 2017 2:40 PM ET

Kimberly-Clark is proud to join Working Mother magazine’s “100 Best Companies” for 2017, which recognizes companies for leadership in creating progressive programs to help employees balance work and family. The magazine cited Kimberly-Clark’s support for flexible work arrangements, paid leave and child care programs, and advancement opportunities for women.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Giving Adapted to Economic Times

Oct 6, 2017 2:20 PM ET

Over the past two years, Cenovus has intentionally supported organizations and causes that have experienced increased demand during the downturn - focusing on basic needs, mental health and vulnerable populations with more philanthropically-motivated donations.

When the price of oil was around the $100 mark, the community investment team at Cenovus was carefully investing millions of dollars in three strategic areas that aligned with both the integrated oil company's focus areas (learning, safety and well-bring, and sustainable communities) and their business values.

Research, Reports & Publications

Republic Services Announces $99 Million Economic Impact in Oregon

Oct 6, 2017 1:30 PM ET

Republic Services of Oregon announced today the results of a study of its annual economic impact in the state. The study measures the direct and indirect economic impact of the Company’s subsidiaries and operations statewide in 2016, including tax revenues, payroll expenditures and supplier purchases, as well as multiplier effects when income is reinvested into the local economy.

Education

149 Middle and High Schools Join Get Schooled’s Seventh Annual Fall Attendance Challenge Reaching More than 100,000 Students

Oct 6, 2017 12:50 PM ET

In an effort to combat chronic abseentism and boost attendance, 149 middle and high schools around the country have joined the 2017 Get Schooled Fall Attendance Challenge. Launching today, the national competition uses Get Schooled’s award-winning gamification strategies to boost student engagement and school attendance. Most active schools can ‘unlock the box’ and earn a $500 grant. Top performing schools can earn a $3,000 grant and a custom-designed experience for their school.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Kohler’s Support of WaterSense® Program Once Again Earns EPA Recognition

Oct 6, 2017 12:00 PM ET

Kohler Co. has earned its fifth consecutive Sustained Excellence Award from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Kohler, the leading manufacturer of kitchen and bath plumbing products in the U.S., has partnered with the EPA’s WaterSense® program since 2007 and was recognized again in 2017 for its leadership in water-saving product innovation and consumer advocacy.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

CVS Health Announces $10 Million Donation Following In-Store Fundraising Campaign for Hurricane Rebuilding Efforts

Oct 6, 2017 11:45 AM ET

CVS Health [NYSE:CVS] today announced that its customers and colleagues donated nearly $4 million to support the Florida, Texas and Puerto Rico communities that were devastated by recent hurricanes, during a 10-day in-store fundraising campaign. The company also announced that it will donate more than $6 million of critical products and supplies to these communities, bringing CVS Health’s total support to $10 million.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

American Standard Wins 2017 WaterSense Partner of the Year

Oct 6, 2017 10:45 AM ET

American Standard, part of the LIXIL Corporation, has been recognized with a 2017 WaterSense Manufacturer Partner of the Year Award for the brand’s ongoing efforts to increase awareness about water conservation and the use of WaterSense labeled products. A two-time winner of this distinction from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), American Standard demonstrated the importance of looking toward the future through its research and development of new water-efficient technologies.

Research, Reports & Publications

Schneider Electric | The Definitive Guide to Global Energy Attribute Certificates: Companies Can Save Money While Being Responsible

Oct 6, 2017 9:55 AM ET

Renewable electricity purchasing in the commercial, industrial, and institutional sector (C&I) has exploded, bolstered by rapidly falling prices and improvements in technology. NGO mandates, such as the Scope 2 protocol, have further driven market development around the world.

Sustainable Development Goals

‘Major’ Food Alliance Commits to Halving Members’ Food Waste

Oct 6, 2017 9:50 AM ET

A global initiative committing major international food producers to tough new targets on food waste has been unveiled at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly’s Climate Week in New York.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

VIDEO | Dynamic Working is a Win-Win at Barclays

Oct 6, 2017 9:50 AM ET

As the UK marks National Work Life Week, we hear how dynamic ways of working have become embedded in Barclays’ culture, empowering colleagues to work in the way that suits their lives – and leaving the bank better able to serve customers’ needs.

Innovation & Technology

Arrow Electronics Launches Surface-as-a-Service to Help Companies Easily and Sustainably Manage Their Tech Assets

Oct 6, 2017 9:30 AM ET

Global technology-solutions provider Arrow Electronics, Inc. (NYSE: ARW) launched a new Surface-as-a-Service offering today that will help companies strategically manage their technology assets throughout the entire device lifecycle—from optimized procurement all the way through sustainable, end-of-life retirement.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

De Beers Partners With Local Institutions to Provide Free Wifi to Young People

Oct 6, 2017 9:30 AM ET

A partnership involving De Beers Group has brought free wifi to the Oppenheimer Park in Kimberley to help scores of young South Africans without access to the internet.

Education

Kids in Arizona Dive into Water Education with Support from Essity

Oct 6, 2017 9:30 AM ET

"Water conservation is important to Essity, and teaching students about this topic is something we are proud to support. We know that educators have limited money available to do everything they would like to do with their students and we are proud to support their commitment to sustainability and provide extra funds to make their projects a reality. Getting students and young people involved in environmental learning is a key part of ensuring a life-long commitment to sustainability. Thank you to the city of Flagstaff for instilling this behavior in our young citizens. We are honored to support the cause."

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Freeport-McMoRan’s Safford Operations Receives Award for Burrowing Owl Habitat Restoration Program

Oct 6, 2017 9:25 AM ET

Freeport-McMoRan’s Safford copper mining operations were recently honored by the Arizona Mining Association with the 2017 Sustainability, Preservation and Diversity in Environment award in recognition of environmental excellence. The site received the award for a habitat restoration program to construct artificial burrows, or underground homes, for owls displaced by land development and construction.

Diversity & Inclusion

Aflac | Doing Good for Our Employees

Oct 6, 2017 9:05 AM ET

Tyrone Kirkland’s role as a career counselor at Aflac’s Career Success Center goes beyond goal setting and résumé help. He sees his job as a chance to identify hidden talent. In this chapter, we’ll highlight essential features for becoming an employer of choice that fosters a culture and an environment of inclusion while attracting and retaining a diverse workforce.

Environment

Xylem Watermark: Protecting Watersheds and Wetlands

Oct 6, 2017 9:00 AM ET

As part of Xylem Watermark’s inaugural Global Month of Service in October 2016, a team of employees helped replenish critical wetlands that protect the New Orleans region of the Mississippi River from soil erosion and flooding.

Social Impact & Volunteering

City High Student Wins ArtPrize in SmartArt Competition

Oct 6, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Innovation & Technology

NYC Mayor’s Office for Economic Opportunity, Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City, and Citi Community Development Announce the Launch of the Nation’s First-Ever Municipal Service Design Studio Dedicated to Improving Services for Low-Income Residents

Oct 6, 2017 9:00 AM ET

The Mayor's Office for Economic Opportunity, the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City, and Citi Community Development announce the launch of the nation’s first-ever Service Design Studio and toolkit dedicated to making public services for low-income New Yorkers as effective and accessible as possible.