ESG News from Leading Brands

Social Impact & Volunteering

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

Dec 1, 2017 11:00 AM ET

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

British American Tobacco | A View from the Inside

Dec 1, 2017 8:20 AM ET

BAT’s Group Operations Director Alan Davy explains why supporting sustainable agriculture remains such a priority, and how the company is responding to major issues impacting farming communities.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

The Power of Bee Farming for African Women

Dec 1, 2017 8:00 AM ET

To say that producing honey has changed the lives of female farmers, particularly in the West African country of Sierra Leone, would be an incredible understatement.

We talked to three women who, through the profits from their beekeeping and honey crop, educate their children, provide stable income for their families and are unburdened with farm loans.

Environment

Expert Interview With Dr. Jerry Diamond, Ecotoxicology and Risk Management Expert

Dec 1, 2017 8:00 AM ET

Dr. Jerry Diamond, Tetra Tech’s Director of Ecotoxicology, has more than 30 years of experience in human health and ecological risk assessments, aquatic ecology, environmental toxicology, water quality criteria and standards, and design and interpretation of environmental assessments.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Xylem Watermark and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)

Dec 1, 2017 8:00 AM ET

Xylem Watermark supports global nonprofit partner Water For People and their mission to promote the development of high-quality drinking water and sanitation services, accessible to all, and sustained by strong communities, businesses, and governments.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Stop Dictating How Your Employees Volunteer

Dec 1, 2017 7:30 AM ET

What if I told you that I know the reason a full 33% of your employees don’t participate in your giving and volunteering program? You’d act quickly to remedy that barrier right? Well, thanks to America’s Charities Snapshot 2017 Report, we do know the reason. And it’s not that hard to remedy.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Freeport-McMoRan’s Green Valley Community Investment Fund Grants $450,000 to Arizona Communities

Dec 1, 2017 7:05 AM ET

Recipients were selected by the Green Valley CIF, which is overseen by a committee of community leaders assembled by the Freeport-McMoRan Community Partnership Panel, to identify and address community needs in health care, education, environment, economic development and transportation with positive, sustainable solutions.

The CIF was established in 2010, as part of Freeport-McMoRan’s objectives to empower communities to develop and identify projects that would help ensure their self-sufficiency beyond the presence of Freeport-McMoRan operations.

Diversity & Inclusion

21CF Earns 23 Nominations for NAACP Image Awards Celebrating Achievements of People of Color in Media

Nov 30, 2017 7:15 PM ET

Long-running drama series, feature documentaries, major motion pictures and more from 21st Century Fox businesses were announced on November 20 as nominees for the 49th NAACP Image Awards, an annual program celebrating the achievements of people of color across the entertainment industry. The company received a total of 23 nominations for projects such as FOX’s Empire, Twentieth Century Fox Television’s This Is Us, and Fox Searchlight’s documentary STEP. The winners will be announced during an awards ceremony in Los Angeles, hosted by Anthony Anderson, which will air live on Monday, Jan. 15, at 9 p.m. ET on TV One.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

LBG Canada Data Stories: Multi-Year Partnerships Create Meaningful Community Impact

Nov 30, 2017 5:20 PM ET

One of the more impactful community investment choices that a company can make is to create a multi-year agreement with a community partner, and more and more companies are making these a significant proportion of their activities. The average amount invested in multi-year partnerships continues to grow year over year, with almost a quarter of companies investing half their budget, or more, into longer-term agreements.

Education

Learn How to Bring Your CSR Programming to the Next Level in Just Six Months

Nov 30, 2017 5:15 PM ET

Now in its fifth year, the Institute for Corporate Social Responsibility was designed by and for those working in the CSR field as a practical, interactive, and affordable professional development opportunity for CSR practitioners.