ESG News from Leading Brands

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

After Eight Years in Foster Care, Young Girl Finally Gets Forever Family

Jun 27, 2017 11:00 AM ET

Imagine spending your entire young life in foster care. From birth until age 8, Erianna was moved 12 times to different foster homes. It wasn’t until she met her adoptive parents that she finally had the stability she deserved.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

LBG Canada Increases Total Community Footprint by $115M, with Stakeholders

Jun 27, 2017 11:00 AM ET

In 2016, stakeholder contributions enabled by LBG Canada companies totalled $115 Million. $54 Million of that total was employee giving!
90% of LBG Canada companies have a matched giving program, typically this involves the company matching dollar-for-dollar a charitable donation made by an employee. Some companies choose to match at a rate of 2:1 for donations made by executives. Matched giving essentially doubles the contribution and conceivably incentivizes charitable behaviour by sending a positive message to employees about the company's commitment to community.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Coal: New Film Shows How Bad It Is For Your Health

Jun 27, 2017 10:35 AM ET

Is America in an unhealthy relationship with coal? Without someone's help, it can be difficult to objectively assess a relationship that you are in and decide whether to continue. Consider then From the Ashes, a new documentary film premiering on the National Geographic channel this Sunday (June 25 at 9 pm ET), a relationship counselor. The film looks closely at what the coal industry means to your health whether you're in a same town or long-distance relationship with coal. Because ultimately every relationship choice is a health decision: does being with your partner make you more or less healthy emotionally and physically?

Social Impact & Volunteering

Volunteers in Houston Provide 300 Meals to Senior Citizens

Jun 27, 2017 10:30 AM ET

The Houston INBU sales team volunteered at the Houston Food Bank providing meals to approximately 300 senior citizens.

Diversity & Inclusion

Change for the Better: How Ana Gatti’s Experience as an LGBT Woman in Financial Services has Improved Throughout Her Career

Jun 27, 2017 10:30 AM ET

Ana Gatti once interviewed for a company where all 52 branch managers were men. Now the Director and Chief Auditor at Scotiabank Uruguay, she reflects on how far the financial industry has come over the past decade in its acceptance of women and members of the LGBT+ community, like herself.

Environment

America’s Small Landowners: One Forest at a Time

Jun 27, 2017 10:15 AM ET

Small landowners are the unsung heroes of the U.S. forest industry. We often think of public forests as the key source of the U.S. wood supply, but in fact, that resource only amounts to about a quarter of the total acreage that is harvested for wood products in the U.S. The rest comprises stock supplied by landowners that have dedicated their acreages to maintaining U.S. forest growth and supply.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

A Guide to Sustainable Farmland Investing

Jun 27, 2017 10:05 AM ET

Farm land is still a new asset class for most investment portfolios. It is important therefore to get started on the right foot. We realized early on that we needed to educate our investors and advisors on the basic economics of our business. As such in 2011 when we started to scale the company, we created a “Guide to Sustainable Farmland Investing”. This guide still has broad relevance even in today’s impact investing markets. Here’s an updated version of that guide...

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Cox Enterprises Announces Recipients of the Jim Kennedy Scholarship Fund

Jun 27, 2017 10:00 AM ET

Cox Enterprises announced today the Jim Kennedy Scholarship Fund recipients. The fund supports children of Cox employees and annually awards ten, $10,000 scholarships.

Events, Media & Communications

Ingersoll Rand Leader to Share Best Practices in Adapting Circular Economy Principles to Manufacturing Facilities

Jun 27, 2017 9:30 AM ET

Marcy McClanahan, plant manager and site leader for the Trane Aftermarket Facility, will discuss how Ingersoll Rand, a world leader in creating comfortable, sustainable and efficient environments, is adapting circular economy principles in its manufacturing facilities at the 2017 Sustainability and Circular Economy Summit. The Summit takes place June 26-28 in Washington D.C.

Health & Healthcare

Meet Jenna Cope: Helping Infants & Toddlers Start Life Healthy

Jun 27, 2017 9:05 AM ET

Jenna Cope, a Nutrition, Health, & Wellness Champion for Gerber, is one of the Faces of Nestlé driving a positive impact on individuals & families, communities, and our planet

Environment

Fort Lauderdale Wins Again! Green City Vote Winner Will Receive A New Green Space Courtesy of JetBlue

Jun 27, 2017 9:05 AM ET

The Green City Vote is part of JetBlue’s One Thing That’s Green initiative which highlights our commitment to environmentalism. Since 2007, the campaign encourages customers and crewmembers to undertake at least one green initiative in their daily lives to help reduce their carbon footprint.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Arrow Electronics’ Highest Achievers Celebrate Success Through Giving

Jun 27, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Research, Reports & Publications

New Report Uncovers Opportunities for Insurers to Create Shared Value

Jun 27, 2017 7:00 AM ET

Using examples from pioneering companies around the globe and with a foreword from Harvard Business School Professor Michael Porter, “Insuring Shared Value: How Insurers Gain Competitive Advantage by Better Addressing Society’s Needs” makes the case for insurers to pursue shared value.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Safeway Becomes First Food Retailer in California to Enroll in Manomet’s Grocery Stewardship Certification

Jun 27, 2017 6:00 AM ET

Safeway announced today that 11 grocery stores in Northern California have joined Manomet’s Grocery Stewardship Certification (GSC) program. These are the first stores in California to pilot this sustainability program. Enrollment in the GSC recognizes the company’s commitment to incorporating operational sustainability best practices in stores, reducing its environmental impact and saving resources.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

The Markle Foundation and Microsoft Partner to Accelerate a Skills-based Labor Market for the Digital Economy

Jun 27, 2017 2:10 AM ET

On Wednesday, the Markle Foundation and Microsoft Corp. announced a three-year partnership to expand Markle’s Skillful initiative, a data-driven approach to connecting American workers and businesses in a rapidly evolving labor market. While advances in technology have helped the economy overall, some American workers are being displaced. Jobs in growing sectors increasingly require new skills earned through a post-secondary degree, certificate or credentialing program. Particularly vulnerable are the nearly seven out of 10 Americans who have transferable skills, but not a four-year college degree.

Energy

Watch National Geographic’s Coal Industry Documentary for Free Until July 3

Jun 26, 2017 8:30 PM ET

From June 26 until July 3, audiences can watch FROM THE ASHES, National Geographic’s new feature documentary about the coal industry, for free on YouTube, Amazon, Facebook, and several more streaming services. The documentary, from Emmy-nominated director Michael Bonfiglio, examines how the coal industry affects life on the planet, as well as how communities across America continue to address its legacy. National Geographic initially broadcast From the Ashes on June 25 and will continue to roll the film out globally across 171 countries and 45 languages.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Beyond Volunteering: Harnessing the Energy and Optimism of Youth in Advocacy

Jun 26, 2017 7:25 PM ET

Back in 2013, I joined the Alliance to End Hunger after a decade as a corporate lobbyist. As with any major life change, this one had implications on our family routines. One night over dinner, my husband and I talked about my new job with our children — then 8- and 6-years old. That evening at bedtime, my daughter, Sarah, said thoughtfully, “But Mommy, if you end hunger you won’t have a job anymore.” My response to her was “And wouldn’t that be wonderful.”

Green Infrastructure

MGM Resorts International Earns 4 Green Globes Certifications for 26 Properties

Jun 26, 2017 7:00 PM ET

The Green Building Initiative (GBI) is pleased to announce that MGM Resorts International has earned Four Green Globes® certifications for 26 retrofit building projects at various MGM Resorts’ Las Vegas properties. More than 45 million square feet of hotels, casinos, convention centers and resort campus spaces were retrofit to save energy and water, improve the indoor environment for guests and staff, reduce emissions and resource waste, and employ environmental management methods.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Bloomberg’s Next Anti-Washington Move: $200 Million Program for Mayors

Jun 26, 2017 5:15 PM ET

Michael R. Bloomberg will throw his financial might into helping beleaguered American mayors, creating a $200 million philanthropic program aimed at backing inventive policies at the city level and giving mayors a stronger hand in national politics.

Diversity & Inclusion

Viacom Celebrates UK Pride 2017 with First-Ever Cross Brand On-Air and Digital Coming Out Campaign, Out in 60

Jun 26, 2017 4:05 PM ET

Musical stars Will Young and Leona Lewis, TV personality RuPaul, YouTuber Doug Armstrong and Geordie Shore’s Marnie Simpson, are amongst the high profile talent who have agreed to support Out in 60, a new TV and digital media campaign aimed at raising awareness of LGBT issues and celebrating the act of ‘coming out’ in the lead up to the Pride in London Parade on 8th July.

Diversity & Inclusion

Video: 2017 Voya Scholars Winner Daniella Gonzalez

Jun 26, 2017 4:00 PM ET

Daniella is a first-generation college student who moved from Columbia to the United States as a child. Daniella struggled with the English language and could barely communicate with her classmates for several years before she discovered math and science, which were not affected by any language barriers.

Environment

Design Guidance: Best Practices for Recyclable Packaging

Jun 26, 2017 3:05 PM ET

HPRC has developed a guidance document for product designers and users of disposable medical devices. The document articulates design considerations which enhance the recycling potential and value of the final product or packaging. The guidelines may also be of use for waste haulers and recyclers interested in recycling this waste stream.

Environment

Boeing's environment strategy

Jun 26, 2017 2:50 PM ET

Boeing’s commitment to environmental leadership and building a more sustainable future drives a global strategy with three main areas of focus: Inspire Global Collaboration, Design in Environmental Performance, and Innovate for Sustainable Operations.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Indiana University Bloomington's Hoosier to Hoosier Community Sale Benefits Community and Environment

Jun 26, 2017 2:00 PM ET

Indiana University Bloomington found a way to turn trash into treasure. At the end of each spring semester, the university’s sustainability office and the City of Bloomington collect items that students left in their apartments for the Hoosier to Hoosier Community Sale.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Timberland Kicks Off 25 Days of Service Challenge with Volunteer Fair

Jun 26, 2017 12:30 PM ET

At the Fair, Timberland convened over 20 non-profit organizations from New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Maine to offer employees opportunities to use their service hours during the Challenge time frame and beyond. Employees had their pick of diverse service opportunities including: working with service dogs to support mobility-challenged kids and adults; delivering meals to seniors and families in need; working with a non-partisan organization to inform voters; socializing with seniors; improving the quality of life for kids with cancer; planning climbing opportunities for kids with sick parents; supporting land conservation; and much more.