ESG News from Leading Brands

Environment

Conservation, Community, and Commercial: Realizing the 3 C’s in Post-Conflict Liberia

Oct 18, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Leif Kindberg, an associate focused on environment and natural resources with Tetra Tech International Development Services, describes the approaches needed to create sustainable, commercial activity for forest and mineral resources in Liberia. All opinions expressed in this post are the author’s own.

Research, Reports & Publications

Schneider Electric | WHITE PAPER: Embrace and Combine New Energy Opportunities Into Disruptive Technologies to Meet Energy Challenges

Oct 18, 2017 8:45 AM ET

Aggressive innovation among energy solutions providers, in response to pressures such as corporate demand and policy changes including the Paris Climate Accord, has accelerated development of new clean technologies.

Environment

Aramark Reports Progress on Sustainable Seafood Sourcing Goals

Oct 18, 2017 6:45 AM ET

As a responsible participant in the world’s seafood supply chain, Aramark (NYSE: ARMK), a global provider of dining solutions to businesses, schools, universities, hospitals and stadiums, is making significant progress toward its 2018 commitment to purchase 100% of its U.S. contracted seafood from sources that meet Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch® program recommendations. Today, 90% of the company’s frozen finfish and 100% of canned tuna purchases meet the Seafood Watch recommendations and by the end of 2018, the company expects to have transitioned all salmon and shrimp products to Seafood Watch “Best Choice” and “Good Alternative” categories.

Research, Reports & Publications

20 Years on 14% of Wild Seafood Engaged With the MSC Program

Oct 18, 2017 5:00 AM ET

International non-profit, the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), has released its 20th anniversary annual report. Over the last two decades the MSC has worked with scientists, NGOs and the seafood industry to set a globally recognised benchmark for sustainable fishing. Those organisations that meet the MSC’s standards for sustainability and traceability can then use the blue MSC label on seafood products.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

LA Kings to Host Annual Hockey Fights Cancer™ Night at STAPLES Center on Oct. 18

Oct 17, 2017 7:30 PM ET

AEG’s Los Angeles Kings’ annual Hockey Fights Cancer™ Night, presented by Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer®, will take place Wednesday, October 18, 2017 at STAPLES Center as the Kings host the Montreal Canadiens beginning at 7:30 p.m. Ontario Reign players and staff will be present for this organization-wide showing of support for the league-wide initiative.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

SC Johnson Provides Support for Earthquake Recovery

Oct 17, 2017 5:15 PM ET

SC Johnson today announced the donation of $100,000 to the Red Cross to help relief efforts following the earthquakes and aftershocks that devastated parts of Mexico.

Sustainable Development Goals

Employee Engagement and the Sustainable Development Goals, November 2-3, 2017, at Inside Out

Oct 17, 2017 4:20 PM ET

Sue Stephenson, Interim CEO and Executive Committee Vice Chair of IMPACT2030, will speak to "Why the SDGs are an Opportunity to Engage Employees" at the upcoming Toronto conference Inside Out: A Transformative Approach to Community Investment.

Inside Out is a future-looking conference designed to advance the practice of how companies invest in community.

Environment

Community Project to Manage Stormwater Benefits 765 Acres in the Jordan Lake Watershed

Oct 17, 2017 3:30 PM ET

The Durham & Wake County Community Conservation Assistance Program, supported by Duke Energy’s Water Resources Fund, focuses on the implementation of Community Conservation Assistance Program (CCAP) for BMP installation in the Jordan Lake Watershed, specifically in the Upper New Hope Creek sub watersheds.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Rum - and Goodwill - Flows Again at Bacardi Following Hurricane Maria

Oct 17, 2017 3:10 PM ET

Rum is flowing again in Puerto Rico at the Bacardi distillery following the devastation of Hurricane Maria.

And so is the goodwill from Bacardi employees around the world, who have joined together to support their colleagues affected by the hurricane.

Health & Healthcare

Sodexo Announces Integrated Contract Awards from Vizient, Inc.

Oct 17, 2017 3:00 PM ET

Sodexo, world leader of Quality of Life services, announced today it has been awarded integrated contracts with Vizient, Inc., the nation’s largest member-driven health care performance improvement company in the country for managed hospital services. The agreements offer Vizient members enhanced value for Food Services, Environmental Services, Facilities Management and Clinical Technology Management, and incorporates enhanced analytics and resources designed to meet the challenges faced by health care providers in today’s health care market.

Research, Reports & Publications

Northern Trust Core Aspects: Governance and Ethics

Oct 17, 2017 2:15 PM ET

Connie L. Lindsey, Executive Vice President and Head of Corporate Social Responsibility and Global Diversity & Inclusion, is responsible for the design and execution of a comprehensive CSR strategy.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Five Daily Point of Light Awardees to Be Honored by Five Former Presidents for Disaster Relief Work

Oct 17, 2017 2:00 PM ET

Points of Light will award five Daily Point of Light Awards to volunteers who performed outstanding work in their communities following the devastation of recent hurricanes. The volunteers will be recognized on Oct. 21 during the “Deep From the Heart: The One America Appeal” concert benefitting communities hit by recent natural disasters. The volunteers will be recognized on stage with the five living former U.S. presidents, including Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Adoption Benefits Come in All Sizes

Oct 17, 2017 2:00 PM ET

The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is excited to announce its 2017 Best Adoption Friendly Workplaces by size.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

South Florida Resident Uses Tech Skills to Support Harvey, Irma Relief Efforts

Oct 17, 2017 1:45 PM ET

After Hurricane Harvey hit Texas, Leah Halbina reached out to friends in the Houston area to see how she could help. When she found out about Sketch City, an open, nonprofit community of technology advocates and civic hackers that used technology to organize rescue efforts, help victims locate their nearest shelter and satisfy other pressing needs, she jumped in to help. Shortly after, Leah had to use the same technology in her home state of Florida as Hurricane Irma approached and made landfall.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Habitat for Humanity to Aid More Than 6,000 Families in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico in Long-Term Housing Recovery

Oct 17, 2017 1:00 PM ET

Habitat for Humanity is commencing the long-term phase of its Habitat Hammers Back hurricane recovery initiative, pledging to help more than 6,000 families across regions impacted by hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria.

The nonprofit housing leader is seeking to raise $100 million to support the repair, rebuilding and new construction of homes to assist low- and moderate-income families in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico.

Environment

Forest Management Helps Sustain Maine Farm

Oct 17, 2017 12:45 PM ET

Bill Randall is working hard to sustain the 400-acre family farm he inherited from his father. “A village idiot can have anything given to him. It takes a genius to keep it,” Bill jokes. The Sappi Forestry program is helping Bill manage the land for the long term.

Events, Media & Communications

New Research: Employee Donor Attitudes About Workplace Giving and Volunteering

Oct 17, 2017 12:40 PM ET

Today’s workers are more transient, diverse, and tech savvy than their predecessors. They are also working in an era of greater uncertainty, as entire industries are being transformed by technology and globalization. Against this backdrop, America’s Charities has conducted a new survey of U.S. workers that gauges attitudes toward giving and volunteering in the workplace.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

TeamCITGO Lemont Awarded Volunteer Group of the Year

Oct 17, 2017 12:00 PM ET

In September, the CITGO Lemont TeamCITGO volunteer organization was awarded the Volunteer Group of the Year by the MorningStar Mission in Joliet, Ill. at its annual volunteer banquet.

Innovation & Technology

GM Advances Self-Driving Vehicle Deployment With Acquisition of LIDAR Developer

Oct 17, 2017 11:55 AM ET

General Motors Co (NYSE: GM) announced it acquired LIDAR technology company Strobe, Inc. As part of the deal, Strobe’s engineering talent joins GM’s Cruise Automation team to define and develop next-generation LIDAR solutions for self-driving vehicles.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

VH1 Save The Music Foundation Launches New Partnership to Strengthen Music Programs in Public Schools at 20th Anniversary Gala

Oct 17, 2017 11:35 AM ET

VH1 Save The Music unveiled a new grant program that will broaden the range of opportunities for students across the country and advance the Foundation’s mission to make music available in every public school in America. Introduced by Steve Aoki, the Music Tech Grant is planned as an investment in American public high schools to fund: the hardware, software, and musical instruments needed for audio engineering, recording, and production. Khaled also announced that he and GET SCHOOLED would launch the Win More Music Campaign for the 2017-18 school year, in partnership with the Foundation.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Volunteers Backbone of Making Wishes Come True

Oct 17, 2017 11:30 AM ET

It was a special day for AJ, a 15-year-old from Virginia. He would finally get his wish for a shopping spree. As colorful confetti fell from the sky and a crowd cheered him on, AJ entered the shopping mall armed with several gift cards, spending money and a bright smile. It was a dream wish for the teenager who had overcome so much in his battle with cystic fibrosis.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

100,000 Strong in the Americas Innovation Fund Announces Grant Winning Institutions

Oct 17, 2017 11:00 AM ET

The U.S. Department of State, Partners of the Americas, and NAFSA: Association of International Educators announced today the latest 100,000 Strong in the Americas Innovation Fund grant winners sponsored by MetLife Foundation.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

How Johnson & Johnson Is Helping to Give Hope to the Youngest Syrian Refugees

Oct 17, 2017 10:30 AM ET

Responsible Production & Consumption

My Green Lab Launches Environmental Impact Factor Label for Laboratory Products

Oct 17, 2017 10:30 AM ET

My Green Lab is pleased to announce the launch of ACT, the first environmental impact factor label for laboratory products. ACT (accountability, consistency, transparency) is designed to provide critical information on the environmental impact of laboratory products.

Energy

Seventy-Five Percent of Schneider Electric Revenues Come with Eco Labeled Products

Oct 17, 2017 10:25 AM ET

Life cycle assessment (LCA) has gained significant traction in BUILDING sector in the last 10 years as a tool for evaluating the environmental performance of products. That’s what a last survey done by Schneider Electric with more than 1500 customers around the world shows.