ESG News from Leading Brands

Sustainable Development Goals

If We Can’t Align Investment With the SDGs We Won’t Achieve Them

Nov 14, 2017 10:00 AM ET

"If we ever hope to achieve the SDGs, we must align capital with sustainable business practices. And to do this, we have to translate ESG disclosures into investment-grade data." Read the whole article on by the Chief Executive of GRI Tim Mohin.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

The Southern Poverty Law Center: Seeking Justice in 2017 and Beyond

Nov 14, 2017 9:50 AM ET

For nearly five decades, the Southern Poverty Law Center has been fighting hate and seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of society. In the early 1970s, the fledgling nonprofit in Montgomery, Alabama, used newly passed civil rights laws to dismantle remnants of Jim Crow in the Deep South. In the ensuing years, the SPLC shut down some of the nation’s most violent white supremacist groups by winning crushing, multimillion-dollar jury verdicts on behalf of their victims.

Education

Curiosity Cube Educates and Entertains Students

Nov 14, 2017 9:45 AM ET

Last week, 150 fourth graders at North Intermediate Middle School experienced a unique way to learn about science when the Curiosity Cube visited their school. The Curio­sity Cube is a mobile technology and science lab sponsored by Millipore Sigma, a global life science company with offices in the local area. Millipore Sigma uses the lab in an effort to spark student interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Comment, Like or Share Stories Between November 13-19 and Voya Will Donate $1 to Special Olympics – up to $500,000!

Nov 14, 2017 9:35 AM ET

Voya Financial is donating $1 to Special Olympics International for every ”comment,” “like” and “share” — up to $500,000. The Invest In Something Special effort runs through Nov. 19, 2017 and is part of Voya’s broader effort to support the special needs community.

Innovation & Technology

Arrow Electronics SAM Car Achieves New Speed Record in Veterans Day Demonstration at Nellis Air Force Base

Nov 14, 2017 9:30 AM ET

The Arrow Electronics, Inc. (NYSE: ARW) SAM car, driven by quadriplegic racing legend Sam Schmidt, established a new record top speed of 190 mph on Saturday during a Veterans Day demonstration at Aviation Nation, the annual airshow hosted by the U.S. Air Force at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada.

Environment

Domtar Sustainability: Developing Our Talent

Nov 14, 2017 9:15 AM ET

A diverse and skilled workforce is critical to meeting the ever-changing expectations of our customers.

A significant portion of our colleagues are, or soon will be, eligible for retirement, an issue many manufacturers face as baby boomers get older. It is sometimes called the “silver tsunami.” We are equipping the next generation of our workforce with the skills and experience needed to succeed.

Diversity & Inclusion

Commercial Real Estate Firms Are Helping Veterans Find Jobs In The Industry

Nov 14, 2017 9:00 AM ET

CBRE, the world’s largest commercial brokerage based on 2016 revenue, launched CBRE Military in 2006. The program works in tandem with a handful of organizations to locate current and veteran service members, identify their strengths and interests and connect them with potential employers. The brokerage has 1,800 veterans on staff out of 75,000 employees globally.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

National Adoption Day Brings Families Together for 18th Year

Nov 14, 2017 9:00 AM ET

“She never has to worry again. She’ll always have a home.” Dwain Hargis sums it up in describing the security his family is able to give his adopted daughter, Olivia. It is the sentiment that drives the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption to advocate for foster care adoption and it is the feeling that every child waiting in foster care deserves. This year, on November 18, the Foundation anticipates that more than 5,000 children to have that feeling as their adoptions are finalized on or around National Adoption Day.

Innovation & Technology

For FLNG Projects, Bigger Is Not Always Better

Nov 14, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) projects, after years of planning and development, are finally starting to come online and demonstrate the potential for FLNG technology to further global gas trade. LNG liquefaction was named the second most critical infrastructure investment for growth in the natural gas market, according to survey results from the 2017 Strategic Directions: Natural Gas Industry Report, and floating solutions provide a more flexible solution to adding much needed capacity to boost market growth.

Media & Communications

How to Cook with Fair Trade Ingredients This Holiday Season (Plus 6 Fair Trade Holiday Recipes!)

Nov 14, 2017 9:00 AM ET

It’s the time of year for gathering around the table, and with more Fair Trade Certified produce on store shelves than any other time of the year (hint, hint!), it's the perfect time to extend our gratitude to farming families around the world. While it’s true that most of your favorite holiday recipes can be made sustainably by simply cooking or baking with Fair Trade Certified ingredients, we’d like to share a few from own tables and foodie friends, ranging from easy to ambitious.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Safety Gets Top Billing at De Beers Group

Nov 14, 2017 8:30 AM ET

All round the Group, people held special sessions where the emphasis was on the need to be vigilant on safety – at work, on the way to and from work and at home. The company takes the view that safety does not stop at the mine gate but extends to its host communities.

Social Impact & Volunteering

VIDEO: Arbor Day Foundation Launches National Campaign to Restore Forests and Communities Ravaged by Recent Hurricanes

Nov 14, 2017 8:30 AM ET

The Arbor Day Foundation unveiled a brand-new hurricane tree recovery campaign today to get millions of trees back in the ground in the wake of hurricane devastation in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

#HoustonStrong – Supporting Our Customers and Communities, Before and After Harvey

Nov 14, 2017 8:15 AM ET

At NRG Retail including Reliant, our customer care centers are prepared for situations like Harvey, but I continue to be impressed with our employees who went – and continue to go – above and beyond for our customers. Many of our employees performed heroically, even when faced with flooding and setbacks at their own homes.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

UK First As Barclays Issues €500m Green Bond

Nov 14, 2017 8:15 AM ET

Barclays PLC has successfully priced and issued a 0.625% €500m green bond. This is a first for the UK market, as it represents the first green bond issued by a UK bank, using UK assets. The transaction was well received, attracting a final order book of €1.85bn.

Sustainable Development Goals

below50 Goes Global: Regional Hubs Established Across Three Continents to Grow the Market for Low-carbon Fuels

Nov 14, 2017 8:05 AM ET

Today at COP23, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) announced a major expansion of its below50 project, designed to rapidly grow the market for the world’s most sustainable fuels. As part of this expansion, new hubs will begin operating across three continents: Australia, North America and South America.

Responsible Production & Consumption

American Apparel Launches New Pencils of Promise Collection to Support Literacy in Developing Countries

Nov 14, 2017 8:00 AM ET

American Apparel has launched a capsule collection of hoodies, t-shirts and bags in support of Pencils of Promise (POP) to fund the construction of schools and provide support for teachers in developing nations.

Green Infrastructure

Expert Interview With Scott Ceasar, Sustainable Design Expert

Nov 14, 2017 8:00 AM ET

Scott R. Ceasar is a Principal at Cosentini Associates, A Tetra Tech Company, and the Director of Sustainable Design. He promotes sustainable design practices in the building industry and within the firm, focusing on creating systems that are energy-efficient, environmentally responsible, and ensure occupant comfort.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Kendall-Jackson and Net Impact Engage Young Professionals in Competition to Elevate Sustainability

Nov 14, 2017 7:30 AM ET

Net Impact, a global community of students and professionals, and Kendall-Jackson, the seminal winery in the Jackson Family Wines portfolio, have launched a sustainable wine case competition designed to harness the energy and ideas of young professionals dedicated to advancing sustainability. Julien Gervreau, Kendall-Jackson’s Director of Sustainability, made the announcement on the keynote stage at the 2017 Net Impact Conference on October 27th in Atlanta, GA.

Diversity & Inclusion

How Women Leaders in Technology Transform the Non-Profit World

Nov 13, 2017 8:20 PM ET

In recent years, the nonprofit sector has witnessed more women ascending to technology management positions. These leaders are on the front lines of discussions on management and employee engagement. And at a time when many organizations are shifting to a social enterprise model, technology remains central to NGOs’ missions.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

SC Johnson Korea Named Best Workplace for the 1st Time

Nov 13, 2017 4:30 PM ET

SC Johnson announced today that the Great Place to Work® Institute has recognized SC Johnson Korea as one of the 35 Best Workplaces in Korea. This is the first time SC Johnson Korea has been recognized on the Institute’s annual Best Workplace list.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Humana Again Earns Perfect Score on LGBTQ Workplace Equality

Nov 13, 2017 4:15 PM ET

Humana has received a perfect score of 100 percent on the 2018 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), a national benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices related to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) workplace equality, administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. This is the sixth year in a row that Humana has achieved a perfect score.

Environment

Beautiful Places Across South Carolina Will Benefit from Nearly $500,000 from Duke Energy

Nov 13, 2017 4:00 PM ET

The Duke Energy Foundation is investing nearly $500,000 in 14 South Carolina environmental nonprofit organizations. The grants will fund environmental projects, wildlife conservation efforts and environmental educational programs across the Duke Energy service territory in the state.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Voya Financial is Partnering with Special Olympics to Help Athletes Achieve their Goals Beyond Sport

Nov 13, 2017 3:05 PM ET

Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA) today announced the launch of Invest in Something Special, the newest component of the company's broader effort to support the special needs community. The weeklong Invest in Something Special effort runs through Nov. 19, and will share the near-term goals and lifetime aspirations of Special Olympics athletes to raise awareness of their contributions to the community and amplify their voice on social media. Voya has pledged to donate up to $500,000 to be shared among Special Olympics Programs across the country based on likes, shares and comments for each athlete's #InvestInSomethingSpecial story.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Salesforce.org, From Corporate Philanthropy to Social Enterprise

Nov 13, 2017 3:00 PM ET

Environment

As U.S. Sheds Role as Climate Change Leader, Who Will Fill the Void?

Nov 13, 2017 2:55 PM ET

When President Trump announced in June that the United States would withdraw from the Paris agreement, America officially ceded its global leadership on climate change.