ESG News from Leading Brands

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Who is Your Best Friend?

Jun 8, 2017 11:00 AM ET

Today is national best friend day and for children who grew up in the foster care system, friendship can be a tough thing to form. When you are always moving from house to house, it’s hard to create lasting friendships. The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is committed to dramatically increasing the number of adoptions from foster care so that every child can have the family and friendships they deserve.

Environment

CITGO Continues Restoration Work in the Lemont Quarries

Jun 8, 2017 10:55 AM ET

CITGO volunteers and community leaders came together in Lemont to continue the project of removing invasive species and the replanting of native seeds in the Heritage Quarries Recreation Area (HQRA).

Environment

General Mills Continues Clean Energy Leadership; Signs Wind Power Agreement

Jun 8, 2017 10:50 AM ET

General Mills has taken another step toward its climate goal with the signing of a virtual 15-year power purchase agreement with Renewable Energy Systems (RES) for 100-megawatts (MW) of its Cactus Flats wind project. The wind project will produce renewable energy credits for General Mills that can be applied toward the company’s greenhouse gas emission reduction goals. During the peak of construction, the project will create about 250 jobs in the clean energy workforce.

Education

Extreme Classroom Makeover: The Big Bad Wolf Won’t Blow These Houses Down

Jun 8, 2017 10:35 AM ET

Perhaps one day, a preschooler in Sara Podvasnik’s class will look back at a classroom exercise featuring the Three Little Pigs as the day that sparked their engineering career.

Diversity & Inclusion

75% of Companies List Productivity and Skills as the Primary Driver for Hiring Women in Saudi Arabia, Indicated by Recent AccountAbility and Glowork Study

Jun 8, 2017 10:00 AM ET

Recent joint research study published by AccountAbility and Glowork, sponsored by "Our Youth our Future" program and the Royal Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Riyadh, investigates women employment and development practices in Saudi Arabia. The report findings indicate several positive developments with regards to women employment and development in management and leadership positions, however, the numbers still show room for improvement. The study is considered as a strong foundation and a reference tool on which future research can build on; the recommendations will provide employers and policymakers with strategies to improve their inclusion and workforce development practices.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

MetLife Foundation | Lean for the Social Sector

Jun 8, 2017 10:00 AM ET

Sustainable Development Goals

Cox Enterprises to Join Ocean Conservancy’s Trash Free Seas Alliance

Jun 8, 2017 10:00 AM ET

In celebration of World Oceans Day, Cox Enterprises announced it will become a member of Ocean Conservancy’s Trash Free Seas Alliance, pledging to work toward solutions that will eliminate ocean trash.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

LG Honored for Supply Chain Sustainability by Green Electronics Council at 2017 CES Asia

Jun 8, 2017 10:00 AM ET

SHANGHAI, China, June 8, 2017 — LG Electronics (LG) has been honored for innovation in supply chain sustainability by the Green Electronics Council. Presented today at CES Asia™ 2017, the GEC Catalyst Awards seek to inspire innovation in the design, manufacture and use of electronics to advance global sustainability.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Business Steps Up Leadership on Climate Action as U.S. Administration Withdraws

Jun 8, 2017 10:00 AM ET

While consensus on climate action has long been elusive, companies from diverse sectors of the economy have stepped up and pledged to protect the standards of the Paris Agreement as the U.S. administration withdraws.

Environment

Saskatchewan Brothers' Clothing Company Rooted in Passion for Forestry

Jun 8, 2017 10:00 AM ET

Brothers Kalen and Derrick Emsley are not even 30 years old and already their lives have taken them across the country and around the world. As the founders of tentree, their journey took them from their hometown of Regina, Sask. to the corporate oil and gas city of Calgary and most recently, to the creative design and apparel hub of Vancouver. The pair have had their share of bumps along the way – but their passion to make a positive impact on the environment has been the defining theme of their journey. TransCanada is proud to have played a role in their success.

Education

Sanofi Pasteur's Jim Tartaglia Encourages Undergrads at Student Research Poster Conference

Jun 8, 2017 9:50 AM ET

Education

Debswana Funds Flagship School Project

Jun 8, 2017 9:30 AM ET

New classrooms are being built for Seaseole Primary School in Letlhakane, close to Debswana’s Letlhakane Mine, where a new tailings plant project is nearing completion, extending the life of the mine by 25 years.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Los Angeles Kings and LA Galaxy Named Environmental Innovators of the Year by Green Sports Alliance

Jun 8, 2017 9:30 AM ET

AEG’s Los Angeles Kings and LA Galaxy will be honored as Environmental Innovators of the Year at Green Sports Alliance’s (GSA) Sixth Annual Game Changer Awards in Sacramento, Calif. on June 28, 2017. Both first-time recipients, the Kings and Galaxy were selected for their efforts in sustainable stadium and arena operations and community and fan engagement.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Meet Larry Lawrence: Helping to Keep Spring Water Sources Sustainable

Jun 8, 2017 9:05 AM ET

At an early age, I knew I wanted to work with water resources. My interest in water conservation began in earnest while in college, and I am proud to have become a Natural Resource Manager for Nestlé Waters in California.

Diversity & Inclusion

“Gateway Select” Pilot Program Will Diversify the Skies

Jun 8, 2017 9:05 AM ET

With Gateway Select, JetBlue hopes to train and hire high-quality pilots while also making the profession more accessible to a broader range of candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences. JetBlue expects that the program will open up the profession by helping make the dream of becoming a pilot a reality to people who would not otherwise have had the opportunity.

Research, Reports & Publications

M&S Publishes Its Ten Years of Plan A Report 2017, and Connected Annual and Human Rights Reports

Jun 8, 2017 9:00 AM ET

The 2017 M&S Plan A Report is an annual update against Plan A sustainability targets first launched in 2007. The most materially important sections are independently assured by DNV-GL and the report also provides GRI Sustainability Standards, Sustainable Develop Goal and Global Compact reference pages. Carbon emissions are reported in compliance with the WRI/ WBCSD Scope 2 guidance on dual reporting.

Health & Healthcare

Tork Impacts Hand Hygiene Compliance in Hospitals

Jun 8, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Research shows that hand hygiene dispenser placements have an impact on Hand Hygiene compliance rates . To help healthcare institutions maximize positive hygiene impact, Tork has created this short video to support hospitals in dispenser placement decisions.

Sustainable Development Goals

Tetra Tech is Helping Improve Fisheries Management

Jun 8, 2017 9:00 AM ET

For the past 20 years, Tetra Tech has been Leading with Science in coastal fisheries management in the Asia Pacific region. As vulnerable coastal populations compete with international fisheries fleets for increasingly scarce marine resources, Tetra Tech is working to empower local communities to develop and implement management plans to monitor and enforce coastal activities.

Research, Reports & Publications

FMC Issues ‘Built for Progress’ Sustainability Report for 2016

Jun 8, 2017 5:00 AM ET

FMC Corporation (NYSE:FMC) released its 2016 report on the company’s global sustainability performance, including progress toward its goals published in last year’s report as well as business-wide efforts to address climate change. The report, "Built for Progress," is FMC’s sixth annual update, and is aligned with GRI (Global Reporting Initiative) Standards.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Major Leaguers Begin 18th Season of Providing Underserved Youth with Unforgettable Ballpark Experiences

Jun 7, 2017 6:30 PM ET

About 50 young people fighting serious illnesses enjoyed a game at historic Dodger Stadium on Monday night as the personal guests of the Players, when the Major League Baseball Players Trust’s Buses for Baseball program kicked off its 2017 campaign.

Health & Healthcare

Follow the Data Podcast Episode 10: The Role of Countries in the Global Tobacco Crisis

Jun 7, 2017 6:00 PM ET

As the World Health Organization and people around the globe celebrate World No Tobacco Day, we invite you to join us for part two of our series on tobacco control.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

American Veterans, Inc. Recognizes Sodexo’s Operations in North Carolina with AMVETS Veteran Friendly Employer of the Year Award

Jun 7, 2017 5:10 PM ET

Sodexo, world leader in providing Quality of Life services, and its operations throughout North Carolina have been recognized by American Veterans, Inc. (AMVETS) for its work providing employment opportunities for veterans through the annual AMVETS Veteran Friendly Employer of the Year Award.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

KeyBank to Finance Affordable Housing for Seniors with Disabilities Near Syracuse, NY

Jun 7, 2017 5:00 PM ET

KeyBank Community Development Lending & Investment to provide $16.3 million in financing to Christopher Community, Inc. for the construction of apartments for seniors with disabilities near Syracuse, NY.

Environment

Texas Trees, Alliance Data and American Forests Conduct Urban Heat Island Study to Understand the Effects of Trees, Paved Surfaces and Buildings on Temperature and Air Quality in Dallas County

Jun 7, 2017 4:30 PM ET

Alliance Data, and Texas Trees Foundation, in conjunction with American Forests, the oldest national conservation organization in the United States, teamed up to implement the urban heat island study in Dallas County, which identifies where the region is experiencing high urban heat island temperatures and the associated effect on air quality, and where greater tree canopy coverage could mitigate the issue.

Education

Sanofi Pasteur Sponsors 15th TecBridge Business Plan Competition

Jun 7, 2017 4:05 PM ET

Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of Sanofi, once again served as a lead sponsor for the TecBridge Business Plan Competition – a regional competition, located in Northeast Pennsylvania, designed to stimulate innovative thinking to leverage a technology-driven economy while retaining area talent.