ESG News from Leading Brands

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

GRI: 20 Years of Driving Global Change

Sep 25, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Today, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) marks its 20th anniversary and charts a refreshed course to help even more businesses use sustainability reporting to create the conditions for sustainable development. To do this, GRI will focus on improving the quality of sustainability reporting, providing preliminary reporting guidance on sustainability topics that are new to the corporate reporting field, increasing reporting among small and medium-sized enterprises and promoting harmonization in the corporate reporting landscape.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

JPMorgan Chase Commits $10 Million to DC

Sep 25, 2017 9:00 AM ET

JPMorgan Chase & Co. today unveiled a $10 million, three-year investment to help drive inclusive economic growth in underserved Washington, D.C. neighborhoods, most notably in Wards 7 and 8. This long-term commitment is the firm’s third investment in a major U.S. city. It combines the firm’s business expertise and collaboration with local business and community leaders to invest in four key drivers of inclusive growth: jobs and skills, minority-owned small business expansion, neighborhood revitalization and financial health.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Embracing Sustainable Commuting: 2017 International Bike to Work Week Challenge

Sep 25, 2017 9:00 AM ET

As part of Tetra Tech’s Sustainability Program, the company challenges employees from around the world to park their cars and cycle to work each May.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Xylem Volunteers Clean Up Local Parks and Creeks in Texas Trash-Off

Sep 25, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Twenty Xylem employees partnered with Keep Brazos Beautiful (KBB), an organization in Bryan, TX that works to educate and engage Brazos County citizens on the importance of keeping the community clean, green, and beautiful.

Environment

Can State Parks Keep Waste out of Landfills?

Sep 25, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Sustainability Coordinator Margaret Wilson said, for a long time, Grand Teton was like most state parks – they didn’t have money or staff to devote to recycling. Then they joined the Zero Landfill Initiative – a pilot project to try and divert most of the waste generated inside national parks. Wilson said part of that is educating tourists.

Environment

Can We Put a Price on Forest Conservation? TD and Nature Conservancy of Canada Look at the Natural Capital Value of Forests

Sep 25, 2017 8:30 AM ET

This week marks National Forest Week (September 24-30), a time to reflect on the value of our forests and learn more about the impact this natural resource has on our environmental, social and economic well-being.

Earlier this year, TD Bank Group and Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) released a report that examines the role of forests in Canada – and the value that they provide to us.

Environment

Bartlett Tree Experts to Become Professional Partner for Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree Campus USA® Program

Sep 25, 2017 8:00 AM ET

The Arbor Day Foundation announced today an expanded professional partnership with Bartlett Tree Experts in conjunction with the Foundation’s Tree Campus USA program. Now in its tenth year, Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree Campus USA program boasts 344 campus participants receiving recognition for their commitment to tree care and management and a cumulative investment of $48.5 million nationwide to ensure healthy canopies on their campuses nation-wide.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Everyday Champion Endre Szabo Created Cycling Program to Help Refugees

Sep 25, 2017 8:00 AM ET

Events, Media & Communications

UN Global Compact Challenges Companies to Disrupt the Business-As-Usual Mindset

Sep 22, 2017 9:30 PM ET

Today, nearly 800 business leaders from over 70 countries joined leaders from civil society, Government and the United Nations at the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit 2017. Convened during the 72nd Regular Session of UN General Assembly, the Summit focused on driving responsible business action and partnerships to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Paris Climate Agreement.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Major League Baseball Players to Provide $1 Million for Disaster Relief Across the Americas

Sep 22, 2017 8:30 PM ET

The Major League Baseball Players Trust today announced it will provide $1 million in funding to support nonprofits dedicated to providing relief and recovery to the victims of the recent spate of natural disasters occurring across the Americas. In keeping with its commitment and practice of assisting others when disasters strike, the Players Trust will distribute the funds in a manner that will support short-term relief as well as long-term recovery efforts in areas suffering in the wake of the recent hurricanes and earthquakes.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Charity Begins at Home for New York Mets Pitcher Steven Matz

Sep 22, 2017 7:00 PM ET

When Steven Matz made it to the major leagues, he knew he wanted to give back to the New York community.

So Matz started the TRU32 campaign in 2016 as a way to acknowledge and thank first responders from the area for their tireless efforts in keeping communities safe.

Matz, who wears No. 32, has hosted 32 first responders at every Wednesday home game during the 2016 and 2017 seasons.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Whole Planet Foundation Celebrates 12th Anniversary With Poverty Is Unnecessary Benefit & Live Auction

Sep 22, 2017 6:45 PM ET

On October 25, Whole Foods Market will celebrate the 12th anniversary of Whole Planet Foundation, the company’s nonprofit dedicated to global poverty alleviation. Poverty is Unnecessary Day marks the launch of the foundation in 2005 to alleviate poverty around the world where the company sources products. Joining this effort are Poverty is Unnecessary Fund® partners, who collectively are committed to donating $300,000 this year.

Health & Healthcare

What is Food Safety?

Sep 22, 2017 6:00 PM ET

National Food Safety Month was created in 1994 to heighten the awareness of food safety education. Each year, we feature a new theme and create free training activities and posters for the restaurant and foodservice industry to help reinforce proper food safety practices and procedures. Test your knowledge on the five common risk factors.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Anti-Slavery Organization International Justice Mission Announces Grant From Walmart Foundation to Address Human Trafficking in Thai Fishing Industry

Sep 22, 2017 5:00 PM ET

Today International Justice Mission (IJM), the world’s largest international anti-slavery organization, announced support from the Walmart Foundation to address human trafficking, also known as modern slavery, in the Thai fishing industry.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Sappi North America Awarded by Minnesota Office of Foreign Direct Investment

Sep 22, 2017 4:30 PM ET

Sappi North America, a leading producer and supplier of diversified paper and packaging products, today received an award for its investment in the state of Minnesota from the Minnesota Office of Foreign Direct Investment, under the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The award highlights the company’s contributions to the economic vitality of local communities, and its commitment to keeping Minnesota a world-leading business destination.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Booz Allen Hamilton Receives Gold Recognition in the American Heart Association’s Workplace Health Achievement Index

Sep 22, 2017 3:45 PM ET

Booz Allen Hamilton received Gold level recognition from the American Heart Association on the association’s newly-released Workplace Health Achievement Index. The firm has been cited for “taking significant steps to build a culture of health in the workplace.”

Booz Allen offers comprehensive workplace well-being programs including PowerUP, a firm-wide initiative designed to promote employee wellness by offering a slew of healthy workplace options including standing and treadmill desks, stability balls, and opportunities to stretch and workout at work.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

The UPS Foundation and UPS Airlines Continue to Support Humanitarian Relief Needs

Sep 22, 2017 3:25 PM ET

Following recent natural disasters, UPS announced that The UPS Foundation and UPS Airlines will expand humanitarian aid and support in Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Mexico.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Italian Students Become "Guardians of the Coast" With Carnival Corporation's Costa Crociere Foundation

Sep 22, 2017 3:00 PM ET

Making young people more aware about protecting the sea and the Italian coastline is the idea behind the "Guardians of the Coast", the citizen science project promoted by Costa Crociere Foundation, which aims to create a long-term environmental snapshot of Italy's coastline, from Liguria to Friuli Venezia Giulia, as well as Sardinia and Sicily, with the active participation of teachers and students from over 200 Italian high schools.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Erb Institute | Business for Sustainability Featured Case Study: Ending the Woes of Short-Termism

Sep 22, 2017 1:15 PM ET

Eric Ries, one of the most prominent entrepreneurs from Silicon Valley, is launching the Long-Term Stock Exchange (LTSE), a new stock exchange for companies and investors that want to focus on long-term values and sustainable development rather than short-term profit gains

Innovation & Technology

Technology Moves to the Head of the 21st Century Classroom

Sep 22, 2017 1:15 PM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Honoring the Legacy of Artist and Activist Romare Bearden

Sep 22, 2017 12:00 PM ET

Charlotte’s newest public art – a swirling sculpture to make the city fall in love with a native son all over again – thrusts a gentle steel spear point into the sky above Romare Bearden Park.

The name “Spiral Odyssey” is a triple tribute. It honors Bearden, the master collage maker who co-founded the New York group Spiral in 1963 to encourage African-American artists. It refers to Homer’s “Odyssey,” which Bearden explored multiple times in his work. And it hints at the two-decade friendship between Bearden and Chicago sculptor Richard Hunt.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Avista Volunteers Package Meals During United Way Day of Action

Sep 22, 2017 12:00 PM ET

More than 60 Avista employees volunteered for the Spokane County United Way Day of Action in Spokane on Sept. 15 to Make a Meal for Many.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Supports Relief Efforts in Florida, Mexico and Puerto Rico

Sep 22, 2017 11:45 AM ET

The recent spate of natural disasters have left a trail of destruction across Florida, the Caribbean and Mexico. To urgently respond to these crises, the Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation is donating $400,000 to support emergency relief efforts in affected communities.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Voya Financial Chairman and CEO Presents Long-Term Perspective at CECP's CEO Investor Forum

Sep 22, 2017 11:40 AM ET

Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA), Chairman and CEO Rodney O. Martin, Jr.participated in CECP's second CEO Investor Forum on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017, to promote the integration of ESG performance into long-term business plans.

Education

Scaling What Works in #STEM

Sep 22, 2017 11:40 AM ET

The cover of National Geographic magazine’s March 2015 issue is framed in my home office. The image of a staged moon landing, and five short sentences challenging common known facts serve as the backdrop for an ominous title: “The War on Science.” In the excellent article “The Age of Disbelief,” Joel Achenbach and photographer Richard Barnes quote geophysicist Marcia McNutt, now president of the National Academies of Sciences, who said, “scientific thinking has to be taught and sometimes it is not taught well,” and that struck a chord.