ESG News from Leading Brands

Social Impact & Volunteering

97 GM Facilities Connect with Nature for World Environment Day

Jul 20, 2017 2:35 PM ET

Nearly 100 General Motors facilities participated in World Environment Day, an observation established by the United Nations. This year’s theme: “connect people to nature.”

While all of GM’s manufacturing sites conduct at least one environmental outreach activity a year, this is the second time GM rallied its teams to measure its collective impact within roughly the same period.

Green Infrastructure

Pay Attention to The Ray, Urges WheelRight's John Catling

Jul 20, 2017 2:20 PM ET

Development of a connected and sustainable highway needs dedicated leaders within institutions, companies and governments. Europe should take heed of The Ray initiative in the US, argues John Catling

Environment

New Student Art Installation Encouraging Recycling Unveiled at Grand Teton National Park Thanks to Partnership With Subaru of America

Jul 20, 2017 2:15 PM ET

Subaru of America, Inc., in partnership with Grand Teton National Park, Jackson Hole Public Art and the Teton County School District, recently unveiled a set of art installations designed to raise awareness of reducing waste in the park and encouraging recycling for all those visiting Grand Teton National Park. The two projects debuted at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center in Grand Teton National Park, where an estimated 100,000 visitors will view the artwork through July 30, 2017.

Events, Media & Communications

The 11th Annual Women’s Leadership Conference to Feature a Lineup of Dynamic Speakers on August 7 & 8 in Las Vegas

Jul 20, 2017 2:00 PM ET

The 2017 Women’s Leadership Conference theme is “Women Inspiring Women.” For the fourth year in a row, WLC has sold out, an indication that women are seeking career advice more than ever, organizers said. The conference will offer a wide range of learning opportunities, career guidance and personal growth tools.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Congratulations to Virginia's 2017 Cox Conserves Hero - Barbara Duerk

Jul 20, 2017 1:45 PM ET

Media & Communications

Booz Allen Interns Wage War on Fake News

Jul 20, 2017 1:35 PM ET

This year, Summer Games interns are building a system that allows any reader to quickly identify a potential fake news story. Summer Games Intern Team Lead Joseph C. Montminy said, “Fake news stories can have very real and dangerous consequences. The ability to quickly debunk these stories before they proliferate, and are accepted as fact, would be enormously beneficial to society as a whole.”

Research, Reports & Publications

Bloomberg's Progress Towards 2020 Sustainability Goals

Jul 20, 2017 1:35 PM ET

Our founder’s ethos of “If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it” is at the core of everything we do. In 2013, we announced 2020 Targets; we summarize our progress over the past four years.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Six Companies Who Go Global and Local With CSR

Jul 20, 2017 1:30 PM ET

What are your reasons for supporting or withholding support from specific companies? Does Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) sound familiar? Whether you’re aware of it or not, people often align with an organization's values or implementation of social responsibility in the workplace or community — locally and globally.

Environment

Sahibabad, India, Green Team Conserves Water, Harvests Rain to Benefit Environment, Community

Jul 20, 2017 1:25 PM ET

Our manufacturing facility in Sahibabad, India, is in the heart of India's water crisis. The country's water shortage – caused by drought, urbanization, a dramatically increasing population and more – leaves 77 million people in India without access to safe drinking water and overstresses groundwater resources. Sahibabad's Green Team jumped into action and spearheaded an effort to reduce its water consumption while recharging the groundwater supply with harvested rainwater. Their efforts are making a positive impact on local water resources, and therefore the community.

Social Impact & Volunteering

College-Bound Girl Scout Starts Nonprofit to Save the Bees

Jul 20, 2017 1:20 PM ET

Two years ago, Elizabeth Klosky was brainstorming ideas with her father on what to do for her Girl Scouts Gold Award project when she had the idea to do something to protect bees. She and her father had just begun to keep bees in the yard, but when she realized how important they were to the environment – and that certain bee populations around the world were struggling – she wanted to help.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

From Foster Care to Forever Families

Jul 20, 2017 1:15 PM ET

Education

Voya Financial Supports Professional Development of STEM Educators with New Fellowship Program

Jul 20, 2017 12:45 PM ET

Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA), today announced the launch of a national fellowship program for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) teachers, in partnership with the National Network of State Teachers of the Year (NNSTOY).

Social Impact & Volunteering

GM Student Corps Celebrates 5 Years of Enhancing Communities and Changing Young Lives

Jul 20, 2017 12:20 PM ET

Brittany Agee is well on her way toward achieving her dream of becoming a social worker. This summer, the former GM Student Corps high school intern — who’s now a junior at Alabama State University — is returning as a college intern and mentor to help other students see their potential.

Education

Scotiabank Partners with The Rumie Initiative for Project North

Jul 20, 2017 12:15 PM ET

Scotiabank marks #Canada150 by partnering with @RumieInitiative to bring educational tablets to children in remote areas. #InfinitePotential

Energy

Myth Busting: You Actually Can Install Solar Panels at Home (and It’s Easy and Affordable)

Jul 20, 2017 12:00 PM ET

"Going solar is too expensive. Too difficult. Too risky." These are all fairly common complaints about going solar. But the solar panels of 15 years ago are not the solar panels of today. In fact, with dropping costs of solar panel installations and rising energy costs, there hasn't been a better time to go solar. New tools are making it easier for customers to make the switch, and more installers working in the market has produced more competition. For many homeowners, it has never been easier, more efficient, or more affordable to go solar.

Sustainable Development Goals

Food Safety and Sustainability: Flip Sides of the Same Coin

Jul 20, 2017 12:00 PM ET

Environment

Bioswales on The Ray

Jul 20, 2017 11:00 AM ET

The Ray and the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) have installed five to ten acres of native grasses and pollinator plant seeds in the median and northbound lane gore area of Exit 6 on I-85 near LaGrange, Georgia.

Events, Media & Communications

Matt Clark Named as Honorable Mention for Emerging Leader Award by InsideNGO

Jul 20, 2017 11:00 AM ET

PYXERA Global proudly announces the recognition of Senior Global Engagement Manager, Matt Clark, by Inside NGO’s Excellence Awards. Clark, who co-designed PYXERA Global’s popular tri-sector partnership training and currently leads The Center for Citizen Diplomacy, received honorable mention at Inside NGO’s 2017 Annual Conference yesterday under the Emerging Leader category.

Innovation & Technology

Chevrolet Brings All-Electric Vehicle Technology from the Moon to Earth

Jul 20, 2017 10:55 AM ET

DETROIT — In July 1971, Apollo 15 astronauts explored the moon in the first electric-powered Lunar Rover, thanks to help from General Motors engineers. Fast-forward to the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV, and it’s clear once again that GM remains at the forefront of EV engineering. With an EPA-estimated range of 238 miles on a single charge and costing a fraction of the Lunar Rover’s $38 million price tag, the Bolt EV has made driving electric attainable for the Earth-bound.

Environment

Top Pop Culture EHS Moments

Jul 20, 2017 10:55 AM ET

From a hilarious "I Love Lucy" show factory assembly line to a falling injury in "There Will Be Blood" - enjoy our collection of EHS moments in the movies.

Innovation & Technology

Multiplying the Impact of Tech Entrepreneurs

Jul 20, 2017 10:45 AM ET

Comcast NBCUniversal’s position as a global media and technology company allows us to offer a singular variety of resources to help social entrepreneurs drive positive change. Along with awarding funding to and building partnerships with technology-focused nonprofits and social entrepreneurs, we used our unique media channels, strategic expertise, and broadband technology expertise to multiply the impact of social innovation projects around the country. At the same time, we are focused on providing more ways for more people to access technology because we recognize that digital inclusion is vital to driving innovation.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Don't Suck. Stop Using Wasteful Plastic Straws

Jul 20, 2017 10:45 AM ET

International spirits company Bacardi has joined with the Surfrider Foundation for a "no-straw movement" as part of its Good Spirited: Building a Sustainable Future program.

Environment

Domtar's 2017 Sustainability Video

Jul 20, 2017 10:15 AM ET

Domtar’s 2017 Sustainability Report details the company’s endeavors to take a longer term view of creating and preserving value for our shareholders, customers, employees and communities. Focused on the areas of Caring for People and Communities, Efficient Manufacturing, and Responsible Sourcing & Logistics, it details the company’s priorities, challenges and progress via engaging stories and stunning visuals.

Sustainable Development Goals

Envisioning a Sustainable Future by Solving Energy Paradox

Jul 20, 2017 10:15 AM ET

Schneider Electric, the global specialist in energy management and automation, announces the launching of Strategy & Sustainability Highlights that shows the progress of the company towards an answer to the world energy paradox. 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.

Environment

Millions of Recycled Bottles and Cans, and Counting

Jul 20, 2017 10:05 AM ET