ESG News from Leading Brands

Social Impact & Volunteering

GM Pilots STEM Camp for Elementary Students in Detroit’s Cody Rouge Community

Jul 24, 2017 11:40 AM ET

More than 2,500 General Motors team members are putting on their gloves, work boots and safety glasses and returning to Detroit’s Cody Rouge community July 24-28 for the company’s annual week-long volunteer event.

Events, Media & Communications

Football and Service Dogs—It’s the Perfect Pairing

Jul 24, 2017 11:35 AM ET

Join Susquehanna Service Dogs, NFL Hall of Fame players, and other former Penn State Football greats for A Perfect Pairing: UNRIVALED at Bucks Valley Winery and Vineyards from 4-8 p.m. on August 5.

Environment

Should Tech Companies Strive for 100% Global EHS Compliance?

Jul 24, 2017 10:55 AM ET

With tight budgets and geographical limitations, EHS leaders at tech companies often wonder if they should still reach for 100% compliance or simply prioritize their efforts.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Meet Stacey Webb: Bringing You Coffee Goodness from Field to Cup

Jul 24, 2017 10:15 AM ET

Environment

Pledge to Be Inconvenient

Jul 24, 2017 10:00 AM ET

A decade after AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH brought climate change into the heart of popular culture, comes the riveting and rousing follow-up that shows just how close we are to a real energy revolution.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Southface Announces Cox Enterprises as Presenting Sponsor of 2017 Visionary Dinner; Mohawk Group Returns as Title Sponsor

Jul 24, 2017 10:00 AM ET

The Visionary Dinner raises awareness and funding for Southface’s continued work in high-performance affordable housing, green infrastructure, clean energy, healthy buildings and sustainable communities. The evening brings together more than 400 policy makers, industry leaders, development and construction professionals, interested community citizens and stakeholders to network and celebrate environmental leadership in the region. This year, the Visionary Dinner will include a provocative conversation on the changing landscape for collaboration among cities to create healthy and resilient communities through the eyes of national leaders in philanthropy.

Sustainable Development Goals

Carlsberg Group to Eliminate Carbon Emissions at Its Breweries by 2030

Jul 24, 2017 10:00 AM ET

The Carlsberg Group is taking action on global climate challenges with ambitious new targets set out in its Together Towards ZERO sustainability strategy. Carlsberg has targets of eliminating carbon emissions at its breweries by 2030 through the use of climate-friendly technologies, and engaging its value chain to reduce its beer-in-hand carbon footprint by 30% by 2030.

Environment

Stella McCartney Brings Overconsumption to the Forefront of Fashion

Jul 24, 2017 9:30 AM ET

Companies have been creating innovative products out of waste for years; and with each material advancement, the envelope is pushed further with more integrated, holistic communications campaigns. However, many of these previous campaigns skirted away from the gritty aspect of waste. Now, one fashion brand is taking a nontraditional approach to creating beauty out of waste.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

CR Magazine Announces Finalists for 2017 Responsible CEO of Year Award and Lifetime Achievement Award

Jul 24, 2017 9:10 AM ET

CR Magazine announced today finalists for the 10th annual Responsible CEO Award and seventh annual Lifetime Achievement Award, given to corporate leaders committed to a progressive environmental, social and governance (ESG) agenda.

Supply Chain & the Circular Economy

Corporate Responsibility Practitioner Roundup: Rolland Paper

Jul 24, 2017 9:05 AM ET

In the run up to the COMMIT!Forum, CR Magazine spoke with Michele Bartolini, Marketing Director at Rolland Paper. Bartolini oversees marketing for the premium paper company, which puts reuse at the center of its business model.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Weatherford's Business Transparency and Ethics

Jul 24, 2017 9:00 AM ET

We are passionate about the work we do and the people with whom we do it. We are driven to do things the right way, the first time, every time, for the right reasons. We are accountable for our individual actions, for the consequences of our decisions, and for our collective achievements because we understand that at our core, success without respect and integrity is not success at all.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Xylem Team Ludwigsburg Volunteers at Jugendfarm Kornwestheim

Jul 24, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Xylem Germany’s Team Ludwigsburg sent 11 employee volunteers, along with their family and friends, to conduct a clean-up of a children’s and youth’s farm, Jugendfarm Kornwestheim.

Research, Reports & Publications

VIDEO | Schneider Electric’s Innovation: Our Journey to a Sustainable Future

Jul 24, 2017 8:55 AM ET

According to International Energy Agency, by 2050 the energy consumption will increase by 50%, whilst 2,3 billion people with poor or no access to energy must be attended by 2030 to accomplish one of 17 Sustainable Developments Goals settled by United Nations, that aims to universalize the access to affordable and sustainable energy worldwide. Accomplishing both objectives must be aligned with another planetary goal to limit global warming up to 2 °C. Hear from Gilles Vermot Desroches, Senior Vice President Sustainability, how Schneider is closing the global energy gap.

Diversity & Inclusion

The Female Founders Inspiring the Next Generation

Jul 24, 2017 8:45 AM ET

The Barclays Eagle Lab in London’s Notting Hill was abuzz with entrepreneurial energy when a ‘speed-networking’ event, hosted by The Female Founders Forum, paired some of the UK’s top businesswomen with would-be entrepreneurs.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Major Leaguer Eric Hosmer Goes All Out for Kansas City Youth

Jul 21, 2017 6:35 PM ET

World Series champion, All-Star Game MVP, three-time Gold Glove Award winner and 2017 World Baseball Classic champion — first baseman Eric Hosmer has developed an impressive baseball resume since joining the Kansas City Royals in 2011.

But in addition to making a big difference for the Royals in recent years, the 27-year-old has also made a positive and significant impact in the Kansas City community.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Whirlpool's Problem Solvers

Jul 21, 2017 5:15 PM ET

Instead of just volunteering, more than two dozen Whirlpool Corp. workers took part in a team-building exercise Tuesday that simultaneously solved a few kinks for a nonprofit organization.

Innovation & Technology

Qualcomm Announces Winners of the 2017 Qualcomm Innovation Fellowship Program in India

Jul 21, 2017 4:55 PM ET

Qualcomm Incorporated today announced six winners of the Qualcomm Innovation Fellowship (QInF) program in India for the 2017-2018 academic year.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Keybank Provides a Total of $11.8 Million in Financing for Vancouver, Wa, Affordable Housing Development

Jul 21, 2017 4:45 PM ET

KeyBank’s Community Development Lending & Investment (CDLI) team provided a total of $11.8 million in financing for the construction of Meriwether Place Apartments, an affordable housing development, located in Vancouver, WA.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Aramark, New York Mets Recognized for Food Waste Minimization Efforts

Jul 21, 2017 3:00 PM ET

Social Impact & Volunteering

Keep Golden Isles Beautiful Encourages Girl Scout’s Effort to Prevent Stormwater Drain Debris

Jul 21, 2017 2:35 PM ET

Chelsea Yates, an ambitious 11-year-old, has jump-started a movement to remind people that littering around public storm drains negatively effects the environment -- namely, marine life -- by posting notices on roadside storm drains in Brunswick, Georgia.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

nuun hydration Runs with Whole Planet Foundation to Fund Microcredit Loans for the World’s Poor

Jul 21, 2017 2:00 PM ET

Whole Planet Foundation welcomes nuun hydration as a new member of the $10,000 Fund and as a sponsor of this year’s Virtual 10K Run, which aims to raise funds for microlending projects in 69 countries. “Our mission at nuun is simple in that ‘we inspire everyone to move more,’” says Kevin Rutherford, CEO (Chief Eternal Optimist) at nuun hydration. “The team at nuun is thrilled to partner with the positive change agents at Whole Planet Foundation, getting more people moving in the Virtual 10K Run, while giving back to help lift entrepreneurs out of poverty.” Visit Whole Planet Foundation’s blog for hydration tips from nuun and a chance to receive a limited edition nuun x WPF water bottle with your Virtual 10K registration and t-shirt purchase.

Environment

Republic Services Expands its Natural Gas-Powered Fleet in Northern Ohio

Jul 21, 2017 1:35 PM ET

Republic Services of Northern Ohio announced today the addition of 25 compressed natural gas (CNG) powered trucks to its fleet. The new CNG-powered trucks are replacing older, diesel-powered trucks, and help to reduce unwanted noise and air emissions in the communities they serve. The expansion includes a new CNG fueling station and highly advanced maintenance facility, which will enable more efficient operations and service for customers throughout Lorain, Cuyahoga and Medina counties.

Events, Media & Communications

Business Leaders From Leading US Brands to Tackle Linking Social Purpose With Commercial Success in San Francisco This November

Jul 21, 2017 1:00 PM ET

The Responsible Business Summit is returning to the US in 2017 to tackle some of the top societal and business-critical issues faced on the West Coast to launch for the first time in San Francisco on November 14-15.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Consumers Energy Named a ‘Most Trusted Brand’ Among Nation’s Electric, Natural Gas Providers

Jul 21, 2017 12:30 PM ET

An independent national survey has named Consumers Energy as a “Most Trusted Brand,” ranking it fourth in the nation among providers of electricity and natural gas among residential customers. “We are focused on delivering an exceptional customer experience to the 6.7 million Michigan residents who count on us for electricity and natural gas every day for their homes or businesses,” said Patti Poppe, Consumers Energy’s president and chief executive officer. “We feel honored that our customers are telling us we are doing well, and we will strive to do even better as we look to the future.”

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Aflac Corporate Social Responsibility Heroes

Jul 21, 2017 12:15 PM ET

Twice a month, you'll find Aflac Regional Sales Coordinator David Watsonand his "Breakfast Crew" up before the sun, cooking a hot breakfast at the Family Emergency Shelter for homeless children and parents in Louisville, Kentucky. When David found out the Shelter struggled with funding to help these families, he and his team stepped up in a big way. In fact, Volunteers of America named him their Volunteer of the Year. Look for David, along with our other Aflac Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) heroes, in the new Aflac CSR Report on July 25.