ESG News from Leading Brands

Sustainable Development Goals

Small and Medium Business Owners Are Cautiously Optimistic About Sustainability in the U.S.

Oct 11, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Today, Cox Enterprises released the results of the national Cox Conserves Sustainability Survey, which identified that small and medium-sized business (SMBs) owners are cautiously optimistic about sustainability in the United States. The survey, commissioned by Cox Enterprises, is a national study that examines SMB owners’ insights on sustainability.

Sustainable Development Goals

Tetra Tech Recognizes the Power of Girls and Women to Change the World

Oct 11, 2017 9:00 AM ET

On October 11, Tetra Tech joins organizations around the world in celebrating the role of girls and women in building a better world.
The United Nations’ International Day of the Girl Child has focused the world’s attention on “the need to address the challenges girls face and to promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfillment of their human rights. […] Girls have the potential to change the world—both as the empowered girls of today and as tomorrow’s workers, mothers, entrepreneurs, mentors, household heads, and political leaders.”

Environment

Visiting the Birthplace of Coffee: Jimma, Ethiopia

Oct 11, 2017 8:00 AM ET

Have you heard the story of Kaldi the goat herder and his frolicking herd? The famous Ethiopian legend tells the story of Kaldi who noticed how excited his sheep became after eating fruit from a certain tree. Curious, Kaldi tried the fruit. Soon he was bursting with energy. After watching the odd behavior of Kaldi and his herd, a monk took some of this strange cherry fruit back to his monastery where monks spent the night awake and alert. Kaldi is often credited as the first person to discover coffee.

Environment

George Monbiot: Altruism For An Age Of Crisis

Oct 10, 2017 8:30 PM ET

When you think of the values emblematic of politics in the Occident, does the term “altruism” come to mind? Probably not lately. Our guest today on Sea Change Radio believes that a participatory culture with altruism at its core will be key to digging ourselves out of the mess that is our current political climate.

Environment

Injured Bald Eagle Takes Flight Again in Manitoba

Oct 10, 2017 6:00 PM ET

Steve Loney, a TransCanada employee, works with Manitoba's Wildlife Haven and the Waywayseecappo First Nation to rehabilitate and release an injured bald eagle. TransCanada has been proud to support Wildlife Haven for more than 20 years, after a land agent spotted an owl on the shoulder of a volunteer in the 1990s and became engaged with the organization.

Diversity & Inclusion

You Grow, Girl!: Leslie Turner

Oct 10, 2017 3:35 PM ET

This is the third in our “You Grow, Girl!” series highlighting female farmers – from the northern reaches of Canada, to the heartland of the U.S., to the western coast of Africa, to the rolling hills of France and beyond. The series aims to amplify the voice of female farmers who play vital roles in helping farms thrive. These amazing women nurture their families and fields. Here, they share their unique perspectives on food, family and farming.

For this post, we looked inside our walls at General Mills to highlight an employee who grew up on a farm and puts to work both the values she learned and an agricultural lens in her role on our Consumer Insights team.

Energy

Trump Proposal to Abandon Clean Power Plan Out of Step With Business Community

Oct 10, 2017 3:30 PM ET

The proposal released today by the Trump administration to abandon the Clean Power Plan is both “misguided and out of step with the leaders in the business community,” Ceres said in a statement today.

The Clean Power Plan is the nation’s first comprehensive effort to reduce carbon pollution from existing electric power plants – the second largest source of global warming pollution in the country.

Diversity & Inclusion

Closing the Disability Employment Gap

Oct 10, 2017 3:30 PM ET

People with Disabilities are among the highest unemployed populations in the United States. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate for persons with a disability was 10.5 percent in 2016, about twice that of those with no disability (4.6 percent). As employers, this not only provides a significant opportunity to positively impact the workforce, but also, to positively impact the lives of many highly qualified individuals who are often overlooked.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

How Pro Bono Is Revolutionizing the Way We Develop Tomorrow’s Corporate Leaders

Oct 10, 2017 3:15 PM ET

Technology, globalization, and current events have transformed the corporate work environment, and experts agree that the unprecedented pace of change we are seeing will only quicken. With so much up in the air, there is one thing that remains certain: Developing those who will lead tomorrow’s companies has never been more important. Within this context, pro bono is emerging as an innovative, high-impact strategy that can equip corporate leaders with the skills they will need to thrive.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Food Security and Sustainable Nutrition is Achievable, but We Cannot Do It Alone

Oct 10, 2017 3:05 PM ET

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Major League Baseball Players Announce Finalists for 26th Annual Players Choice Awards

Oct 10, 2017 2:25 PM ET

Major League baseball players today announced the finalists for their highest honors – the Players Choice Awards – in which the players themselves recognize excellence on and off the field. Vying for top honor as 2017 Player of the Year are José Altuve of the Houston Astros, Nolan Arenado of the Colorado Rockies and Giancarlo Stanton of the Miami Marlins.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Transformative Ideas Take Space

Oct 10, 2017 2:10 PM ET

I find that I face an ever-present battle for balance. It’s a struggle between creating the next new thing, while keeping what was the new thing going and delivering on its intended outcomes. I often find myself in the thick of the nitty-gritty details with my team. They help shield me from quite a bit, but we all have to roll up our sleeves. So when you’re doing that day in and day out, how do you find the time to create those new ideas, or even evolve your thinking about current projects to move them forward—a core component of everything we do?

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

For the 11th Consecutive Year Sodexo Sponsors Out & Equal’s 2017 Workplace Summit

Oct 10, 2017 2:00 PM ET

Sodexo, world leader in quality of life services, announced that it is proud to be a titanium-level sponsor of the Out & Equal’s 2017 Workplace Summit, which begins on October 9 in Philadelphia, PA. The three-day global conference brings together employees and experts who are dedicated to creating workplaces that are welcoming and inclusive of people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions.

Education

Austin Argonauts Study Climate Change in the Field as Citizen Scientists

Oct 10, 2017 1:45 PM ET

Dell and JASON work together as part of Dell’s Youth Learning program. The partnership has provided free access to JASON’s STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) learning materials to students of the Greater Austin Area’s public schools – including digital labs, content and activities, to utilize in the classroom and on their own. Dell’s support also included the sponsorship of two Austin area Argonauts to enter this year’s Argonaut program.

Sustainable Development Goals

Whirlpool Corporation Team Drives Global Effort to Meet Materials Compliance

Oct 10, 2017 1:30 PM ET

As a part of its ongoing sustainability efforts, Whirlpool Corporation's Global Critical Materials Management (CMM) team plays a critical role in meeting goals related to materials compliance.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

It Takes a Village to Raise a Start-Up

Oct 10, 2017 1:15 PM ET

AT&T is working to empower the next generation of change agents. We believe that our country’s startup ecosystem can have a direct impact on creating alternative and new solutions to revitalize America’s most challenged communities. That’s why we support start-ups that are using technology to solve challenges in education.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Consumers Energy Foundation Commits $200,000 to Habitat for Humanity of Michigan, Supporting Affordable Housing

Oct 10, 2017 1:15 PM ET

The Consumers Energy Foundation announced today that it has contributed $200,000 to Habitat for Humanity of Michigan, supporting its mission to provide safe and affordable housing to residents across Michigan.

Environment

LIXIL’s SATO to Bring Safer Sanitation to 15 Million More People with Support of New Funding

Oct 10, 2017 12:35 PM ET

LIXIL Corporation – a global leader in the housing and buildings industry – today announced that its breakthrough SATO business will be funded under the “Urban Sanitation Challenge,” a newly launched program of the Water Innovation Engine. LIXIL’s SATO is one of the first five projects ever to be funded through the Urban Sanitation Challenge. The new program, led by Grand Challenges Canada, was launched on September 21 at the UN General Assembly meetings in New York City.

Diversity & Inclusion

Banking Needs More Women in Tech — Here’s How One Financial Institution Is Driving Change

Oct 10, 2017 12:05 PM ET

As the banking industry goes through a digital transformation, there’s a “war for talent,” says Kyle McNamara, Executive Vice President, Global Retail Banking Technology at Scotiabank. And if companies want the best and the brightest in their ranks, women need to be on the frontlines.

Diversity & Inclusion

She Wanted a Successful Career - and Didn't Let Blindness Hold Her Back

Oct 10, 2017 12:05 PM ET

Follow Kathy Martinez, SVP of Disability Segment Market Brand and Strategy at Wells Fargo, throughout her day and learn about her experiences being visually impaired in school and in the workplace. (video - 5.50 min)

Social Impact & Volunteering

Community Commitment at a Whole New Level

Oct 10, 2017 11:35 AM ET

Listen to Laura Kohler's insights on the culture of Kohler Co. in NEWaukee's latest podcast.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

JetBlue and Atlas Air Send More Than 110 Tons of Supplies to Assist in Recovery Efforts in Puerto Rico

Oct 10, 2017 11:15 AM ET

JetBlue, New York’s Hometown Airline® and the largest airline in Puerto Rico, in partnership with Atlas Air Worldwide, today transported more than 110 tons of much needed supplies to Puerto Rico to aid in relief and recovery efforts. JetBlue previously outlined its 100x35JetBlue commitment to launch 35 initiatives over 100 days - and beyond to support the immediate needs of crewmembers, customers, and communities in Puerto Rico. As part of this initiative, JetBlue has collected generous donations from a variety of like-minded organizations including Food Bank For New York City, American Red Cross and the Afya Foundation. Atlas Air graciously donated and operated a 747 cargo aircraft to get supplies from New York to San Juan.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

American Express, NYU, Comcast, Hilton Top Industry Leaders List for Adoption Benefits

Oct 10, 2017 11:00 AM ET

Each year the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption ranks the nation’s employers with the best adoption benefits. The Top 100 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplace List is based first on financial reimbursement for adoption costs and second on paid time off given to families who adopt.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

GRI Podcasts Back on Air: October Edition Now Available!

Oct 10, 2017 11:00 AM ET

GRI's podcasts are back! The October edition features GRI Chief Executive Tim Mohin dispelling the myth of competition among reporting frameworks; Alyson Genovese live from the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit discussing the Sustainable Development Goals; and a round-up of the key sustainability news from the last month.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Meet the Speakers Series Part 2: Demystifying the CSA & DJSI

Oct 10, 2017 10:55 AM ET

The aim of this workshop is to increase the participants’ knowledge about the methodology behind the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) and the RobecoSAM Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA). In this session, special focus will be on on selected criteria including Human Rights, Supply Chain, and Human Capital. Come join experts from CSA-responding corporations that achieve high scorers in the respective CSA criterion as they their perspectives and experience in crafting responses to the CSA.