ESG News from Leading Brands

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Corporate Governance Awards 2016: Governance team of the year (large cap) - Visa

Feb 6, 2017 5:40 PM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

HUD Neighborhood Award Acknowledges Value of District-Scale Regeneration

Feb 6, 2017 4:00 PM ET

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded two EcoDistricts partners with Choice Neighborhood Implementation grants in December 2016. Denver, Colorado’s Sun Valley Ecodistrict and St. Louis, Missouri’s Near North Side neighborhood each received nearly $30 million. The two historically marginalized communities have purposefully taken a district-scale approach to develop highly inclusive, stakeholder-driven development plans.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

U.S. Chamber Foundation Releases Safety and Security Quick Guides

Feb 6, 2017 3:00 PM ET

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, in partnership with Johnson Controls, Inc., today released the Safety and Security Quick Guides, an online platform to educate communities, business owners, and chambers of commerce on steps they can take to ensure a safe, crime-free work environment.

“We understand that the success of a business depends on its safety and resilience, and in turn, how important a role businesses play in promoting health and vitality in their communities,” said Marc DeCourcey, senior vice president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. “The Safety and Security Quick Guides will help businesses of all sizes protect their assets and employees.”

Social Impact & Volunteering

Anthem Blue Cross And Blue Shield Foundation Committed $1.8 Million To Improving Health And Strengthening Colorado Communities In 2016

Feb 6, 2017 3:00 PM ET

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield today announced that its foundation and 2,000 associates in Colorado contributed $1.8 million and 2,100 volunteer hours to health-related causes and community events in 2016.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Kellogg Partners for Progress

Feb 6, 2017 2:05 PM ET

Kellogg works with local charities and NGO’s to run breakfast programmes for children in the UK, Ireland, Spain, Germany, Russia, Denmark and Sweden. Tom Idle reports.

Energy

Edison Insight Series: California’s Climate Policies and Transportation Electrification

Feb 6, 2017 12:10 PM ET

Edison International, through its subsidiaries, is a generator and distributor of electric power, as well as a provider of energy services and technologies, including renewable energy.

Diversity & Inclusion

Best Practices for Accelerating Gender Balance in the Workplace

Feb 6, 2017 11:35 AM ET

Early this year McKinsey and LeanIn.org released their Women in the Workplace report, which found that women remain underrepresented across organizations—especially at senior levels of leadership. According to the report, women “experience an uneven playing field, with their odds of advancement lower at every level; there is a persistent leadership gap in the most senior roles; gender diversity is not widely believed to be a priority; and while employee programs designed to help balance work and family are abundant, participation is low among both sexes due to concerns that using them will negatively affect their careers.”

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Driving Strategic Goals Through a Purpose-Oriented Culture

Feb 6, 2017 10:35 AM ET

In the three-plus years since Voya Financial was created via a spin off from ING Group, we set out to create a new kind of company – with an authentic and passionate commitment to corporate responsibility embedded in its purpose, vision and culture. During that time, we have learned a great deal as we’ve established a new brand and defined our corporate character.

Environment

Sky’s Ocean Rescue Campaign Educates on Ocean Trash

Feb 6, 2017 10:20 AM ET

Ocean trash has become a serious environmental issue – especially plastic trash like single-use bags and straws. In fact, there are an estimated 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic debris in the ocean today, according to National Geographic – and that number continues to grow. But, it can oftentimes be hard for people to grasp the severity of the situation unless they live in areas where trash continually washes up on their beaches. Now, one U.K. broadcasting company is aiming to educate consumers by making the issue urgent and personal.

Environment

REMADE for the Circular Economy

Feb 6, 2017 10:15 AM ET

As global competition and resource scarcity increases, U.S. manufacturers will look for new solutions to help them reduce the cost of raw materials, energy, water and more by becoming more efficient and sustainable. Cleaner production, newer technologies and adoption of a circular economy are recognized as critical drivers to a prosperous future.

Diversity & Inclusion

Report Highlights Diversity and Inclusion as a Core Component of Sodexo Business Growth Strategy

Feb 6, 2017 10:05 AM ET

Innovation & Technology

Industry 4.0: Changing the Way the World Designs and Manufactures

Feb 6, 2017 9:45 AM ET

History shows us that emerging technologies have influenced previous industrial revolutions, unlocking new possibilities that advance the human race and unleashing unprecedented economic potential. Whether harnessing the power of water and steam to mechanize production, using electricity to create mass production or designing electronics and IT to automate production, the only constant in the ever-evolving manufacturing landscape is the role of emerging technology as an opportunity for reinvention.

Diversity & Inclusion

Meet Carmine: A Military Veteran with a Passion for Workplace Diversity

Feb 6, 2017 9:05 AM ET

At Nestlé we believe that veterans make our company better — we love the experience and skills that they bring with them, and we also believe we have a responsibility to help in their transition from military to civilian life.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Staying Competitive Takes Inclusive Trade and Immigration

Feb 6, 2017 8:15 AM ET

Staying competitive in business means economic growth and jobs. In a world where new markets are opening every day and new competitors are changing the game, companies need to be globally connected and deploy new products and breakthrough innovation. In order to do that, we need smart, inclusive policies on trade and immigration.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Aflac Awarded No. 40 out of 50 Best Internships by Vault

Feb 6, 2017 8:15 AM ET

If you are looking for an internship that provides real-world, professional work experience and the opportunity to be a valued contributor (not just an expert on making the boss' coffee), look no further. Aflac is ready for you.

Events, Media & Communications

National Geographic and Katie Couric Launch Screening Tour for Upcoming Documentary 'Gender Revolution: A Journey with Katie Couric'

Feb 6, 2017 7:00 AM ET

The two-hour National Geographic documentary GENDER REVOLUTION: A JOURNEY WITH KATIE COURIC (Trailer Here) approaches the topic of gender through the lens of science, society and culture, all woven together by personal stories and experiences. To extend the life of this important documentary beyond its Feb. 6 television broadcast, National Geographic and Picture Motion are partnering on the Gender Revolution Tour, allowing any high school, college, university or nonprofit to sign up to host a free screening and discussion.

Events, Media & Communications

Novartis Foundation Dialogue Explores Urban Health Challenges in Africa

Feb 6, 2017 1:15 AM ET

More than half the world’s population now lives in urban areas and healthcare services in growing cities are struggling. Experts from around the world are in Cape Town this week to discuss this growing health challenge at the Novartis Foundation Urban Health in Africa Dialogue event.

Energy

Power Play: NRG Energy Brings Sustainable Power to US Stadiums

Feb 5, 2017 1:00 PM ET

This Sunday, as millions of us tune in to the Big Game, we’ll be seeing powerful players, both on and off the field.

We’re excited to host the game at NRG Stadium – and show the world exactly how stadiums can benefit from reliable, efficient and sustainable energy solutions.

Diversity & Inclusion

National Geographic’s "Gender Revolution: A Journey with Katie Couric" premieres in New York and explores gender identity in 2017

Feb 3, 2017 8:00 PM ET

The two-hour National Geographic special, Gender Revolution: A Journey with Katie Couric, celebrated its world premiere at the New York Times Center on Thursday, February 2. The documentary accompanies National Geographic’s January issue, which dives into the world’s rapidly changing beliefs about gender in 2017.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Keep Virginia Beautiful's "Shiver in the River"

Feb 3, 2017 4:00 PM ET

The Polar Bears were splashing around Virginia's cold James River on Saturday, Jan. 28, as Keep Virginia Beautiful produced another successful "Shiver in the River" frigid fundraiser and cleanup event.

Events, Media & Communications

Cynopsis Media Recognizes On-Air Campaigns from FOX Sports, National Geographic and Fox Business Network as Social Good Awards Nominees

Feb 3, 2017 3:00 PM ET

FOX Sports, National Geographic and the Fox Business Network have garnered a total of ten nominations for the third annual Cynopsis Social Good Awards, a ceremony celebrating the media industry’s leading social responsibility initiatives. The nominations represent the breadth of social issues on which 21st Century Fox businesses engage their audiences, from National Geographic’s on-air campaigns to preserve America’s National Parks to FOX Sports Supports’ efforts to help military veterans transition to civilian life. The winners will be announced at a breakfast in New York City on March 2.

Education

Don't Forget to Apply

Feb 3, 2017 3:00 PM ET

MFA DSI is for designers looking for engaging professional work that matters, for graduates in other disciplines who want to learn to harness the power of design to create positive impact, for social entrepreneurs who want the skills and knowledge to achieve their mission more quickly and fully, and for professionals who have been working in business and want to play a more central, strategic role in their industry.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Duke Energy Workers Use AED, Save Man Having Heart Attack

Feb 3, 2017 1:20 PM ET

CITRUS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) – Duke Energy workers are being hailed as heroes after they helped save a Citrus County man when he had a heart attack.

Energy

Game On! NRG and NFL Power Super Bowl LI with Clean, Renewable Energy

Feb 3, 2017 1:15 PM ET

NRG Energy Inc. (NYSE:NRG) and its subsidiary Reliant, the premier retail electricity provider in Texas, have teamed up with the NFLto provide 100% Green-e certified renewable energy to NRG Stadium, site of Super Bowl LI, and the George R. Brown Convention Center, location of the NFL Experience and other NFL celebrations in Houston.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Critical Materials Management (CMM) to Drive Whirlpool Corporation’s Product Transparency and Traceability

Feb 3, 2017 1:00 PM ET

Whirlpool Corporation is a long-time global leader in delivering quality products with a prominent focus on promoting healthy living and environmental responsibility.