ESG News from Leading Brands

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Annual Award Honors Medtronic as "Corporate Citizen" Leader

Apr 28, 2017 3:00 PM ET

Spend a few moments with Medtronic Chairman and CEO Omar Ishrak and one thing is clear – Medtronic is driven to make a difference.

Media & Communications

Cuppa Joe? Many of Us Love Our Morning Coffee ("The Joe"), but We Should Think More About Growers at the Source...

Apr 28, 2017 3:00 PM ET

Ah, that morning coffee -- so delicious for many of us. The products of the "coffee belt," encircling the globe just north and south of the Equator, are made from a valuable commodity -- the coffee bean.

Health & Healthcare

Kids in the Kitchen

Apr 28, 2017 2:15 PM ET

Did you know that what your children eat today can have a lasting impact on their health and well-being for a lifetime? Eating healthy, nutritious food is not only important for a child’s normal growth and development, but can also help them maintain a healthy weight and lead to a better quality of life.

Responsible Production & Consumption

CAUSEBOX On a Mission to Deliver Better Products & a Better World

Apr 28, 2017 2:00 PM ET

Next week is National Small Business Week and PayPal is excited to celebrate the millions of inspiring small businesses we work with globally. We’re interviewing small businesses to find out what inspired them to start their business, the challenges they have faced, and the advice they have for other aspiring business owners. We sat down with Brett McCullom and Matt Richardson, the founders of CAUSEBOX - sustainably and ethically made, curated products for women.

Environment

Wells Fargo Blog: Restoring the Lost Pines

Apr 28, 2017 2:00 PM ET

Nonprofits like TreeFolks in Texas have restored habitats, planted trees, and engaged volunteers, thanks to the Wells Fargo Environmental Solutions grant program which awarded $15 million in Environmental Solutions for Communities grants between 2012 and 2016. Grantees used the funds to restore more than 94,000 acres of habitat, plant more than a million trees, and engage more than 900,000 volunteers in land and water conservation, environmental education, and water efficiency. Wells Fargo's 2016 Corporate Social Responsibility report (www.wellsfargo.com/about/corporate-responsibility/goals-and-reporting/) provides more information about how Wells Fargo works across business and environmental philanthropy programs to make cities more resilient in the face of climate change.

Environment

GM Employees to Plant 25,000 Hardwood Trees in the U.S.

Apr 28, 2017 1:45 PM ET

The national nonprofit Living Lands & Waters began its MillionTrees Project in 2007 by collecting and planting acorns. The group harvests the growing saplings and partners with communities and companies like General Motors to meet its ambitious goal – growing 1 million trees across the United States. This year, 27 GM facilities in seven states are taking part, providing more than 25,000 oak trees to employees and their families for Earth Day and Arbor Day plantings.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Whirlpool Corporation Employees Volunteer for FIRST Robotics

Apr 28, 2017 1:00 PM ET

At Whirlpool Corporation, we’re proud of our employees who volunteer their time and talents throughout the world. In 2016, 337,000 employees volunteered and 300+ non-profit organizations were impacted globally through volunteerism and donations.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Change or Be Changed: The Future of Food & Beverage is Now

Apr 28, 2017 12:40 PM ET

The food and beverage industry is facing major change and shifting expectations, and brands have to decide whether to adapt, or risk losing out. This year’s WorldView event in NYC offered attendees a timely, big picture view of macro-trends the food & beverage industry is facing. Our four industry-leading speakers offered up a comprehensive overview of the current landscape, but what do we do with this information, and how do organizations embrace change and innovation rather than being left behind? Let’s break it down.

Health & Healthcare

Shire Partners with The ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine

Apr 28, 2017 12:15 PM ET

Across the U.S., there is a significant shortage of medical geneticists. With only one geneticist for every 600,000 individuals, the U.S. has less than half of the genetic workforce it needs. As an issue directly related to our business, we announced a $1.65 million grant to the ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine. The ACMG Foundation is a non-profit organization that works to attract and fund training for the next generation of medical geneticists and genetic counselors. The Foundation also sponsors important research, and promotes information about medical genetics.

Social Impact & Volunteering

NFL Safety Jonathan Meeks Inspires Hope, Creating Opportunities for Youth

Apr 28, 2017 12:05 PM ET

"I volunteer because I want to impact change, not only in my community but in the world," said Jonathan Meeks, NFL safety – an unrestricted free agent who previously played four seasons with the Buffalo Bills. Jonathan uses his platform to give back, locally and around the world.

Innovation & Technology

In Honor of Earth Day – Find Out How Much Carbon Your Virtualization Infrastructure is Avoiding!

Apr 28, 2017 12:00 PM ET

Having pioneered the development of server virtualization, VMware has significantly increased the operational efficiency of IT resources. Server virtualization is a key element of cloud computing. It allows for elasticity through rapid provisioning and de-provisioning of services. By reducing the number of servers needed, and increasing the utilization rates of servers deployed, virtualization software also decreases, often dramatically, the total energy required to support a given service. Lower power consumption associated with server virtualization reduces the release of greenhouse gases (GHGs) like carbon dioxide (CO2).

Events, Media & Communications

Global Tourism Stakeholders to Convene at Summit to Create a Sustainable Future

Apr 28, 2017 12:00 PM ET

GreenBiz Group will host a Sustainable Tourism Summit during its VERGE Hawaii: Asia Pacific Clean Energy Summit, which returns to Honolulu on June 20-22. The Summit will be produced in collaboration with the Hawaii Tourism Authority and global NGO, Sustainable Travel International, and will take place on Wednesday, June 21.

Health & Healthcare

Bringing Resources to Bear to Improve Global Health

Apr 28, 2017 11:00 AM ET

At Pfizer, we believe our business and societal missions are the same: ensuring all individuals everywhere have access to quality medicines, vaccines and health care, and the opportunity to lead healthy lives. Every day, we strive to use our full resources – our people, products and funding – to find new ways to positively impact the health of people around the world and across their lifespan.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Whole Planet Foundation’s Madagascar Partner Jiro-Ve, Innovating Affordable Lighting Solutions to Low-Income Households

Apr 28, 2017 11:00 AM ET

Many social enterprises focus on innovation of high-quality products designed to reach low-income customers. By the numbers, this bottom of the pyramid strategy to reach impact and market at scale seems to make sense – analysis of World Bank data from 2011 shows that 71% of the world’s population can be considered poor or low-income.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Congratulations to The Exceptions (Northern Trust Bank) for Winning Best Band at Band Together

Apr 28, 2017 10:30 AM ET

Tribeca Flashpoint College students supported fund raising efforts of four charitable organizations in Band Together: Spring 2017’s Production-In-Action on April 26th 2017. Sarah's Circle, supported by "The Exceptions" (Northern Trust Bank)

Social Impact & Volunteering

FedEx Road Safety Training Leads to National Seat Belt Law in Tunisia

Apr 28, 2017 10:00 AM ET

In August 2016, FedEx hosted road safety advocates from 15 countries across the globe to participate in a two-week advocacy training course with the Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety. One of the advocates, Afef Ghenia, took what she learned in Memphis and managed to enact a national seat belt law six months later in Tunisia.

Research, Reports & Publications

Designing Inspiring and Healthy Workplaces

Apr 28, 2017 10:00 AM ET

“Our workplace design for the Philadelphia Navy Yard site has helped transform the level of energy and engagement of our employees. We want everyone at GSK to feel energized and inspired. We are in the process of taking our industry-leading design approach to the labs and creating modern, collaborative, flexible research and development workspaces for our scientists.” (Ray, Head, Workplace Design)

Environment

BNY Mellon Celebrates Sixth-Annual Eco Days

Apr 28, 2017 9:30 AM ET

From tree planting and biking to work to an all-out print reduction competition, BNY Mellon employees are taking eco-friendly action this spring. Eco Days began with Earth Day on April 22 and continue through World Environment Day on June 5.

Environment

JetBlue: Celebrating Earth Day Every Day

Apr 28, 2017 9:20 AM ET

To us, Earth Day is every day (even if it was technically on April 22). That’s why we’re implementing smarter approaches to move us forward and giving back to our communities whenever we can. Here are some of the ways we celebrate our planet around the clock:

Education

529 New School Gardens Funded by Whole Kids Foundation®

Apr 28, 2017 9:15 AM ET

Today, Whole Kids Foundation announced 529 new school garden grant recipients and 93 extended learning garden grant recipients. The recipients cover 50 U.S. states, nine Canadian provinces and the U.S. Virgin Islands, providing educational opportunities around agriculture, ecology, nutrition and business for 437,850 students.

Environment

This Arbor Day, Consumers Energy Encourages Michigan Residents to Plant the Right Tree in the Right Place

Apr 28, 2017 9:05 AM ET

With Arbor Day being celebrated on Friday, Consumers Energy is reminding Michigan residents to choose the right tree for the right place as they plant and to always call MISS DIG 811 before putting a shovel in the ground.

Research, Reports & Publications

Walmart Today | What is a GRR?

Apr 28, 2017 9:05 AM ET

Energy

A Culture of Safety: Weatherford Celebrates World Day for Safety and Health at Work

Apr 28, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Today we celebrate World Day for Safety and Health at Work, dedicated to the prevention of occupational incidents globally. The United Nations and International Labour Organization's annual awareness-raising campaign promotes safe, healthy, and decent work – stressing how a strong safety and health culture can help reduce the number of work-related injuries.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Together for Safer Roads, Republic Services and other TSR Member Companies Celebrate World Day for Safety and Health at Work

Apr 28, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Between 25 and 33 percent of global crashes are work-related and 36 percent of occupational deaths worldwide are due to road crashes. As of 2010, there were more than 307 million commercial vehicles on the world’s roads. Companies have the responsibility to consider the welfare of their employees, as well as the dangers business fleets pose to other road users.

Social Impact & Volunteering

National Rebuilding Month: Get Involved

Apr 28, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Last year for National Rebuilding Month, 148 of the 1,942 rebuilding projects were completed for community facilities and spaces, which collectively impacted 100,000 people across the country.