ESG News from Leading Brands

Environment

Wells Fargo Adds 10 Clean-Tech Startups to Innovation Incubator

Jan 11, 2017 1:00 PM ET

January 11, 2017 – Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) today announced it has selected the third round of clean technology startup companies to join the Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN2), a five-year, $10 million program which helps advance energy efficiency by accelerating sustainable commercial-building technologies. The 10 early-stage companies in Round 3 will each receive up to $250,000 in cash and in-kind technical assistance to advance their technologies and an opportunity to beta test within Wells Fargo’s real estate footprint.

Health & Healthcare

Three Quality of Lifehacks to Spruce up Your Workspace

Jan 11, 2017 12:45 PM ET

This past Monday was National Clean Off Your Desk Day. Although this “holiday” might feel a little made-up, it’s still a good excuse to begin the New Year with a clean and organized workspace.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

51 Public Schools Named State Winners in $2 Million* Samsung STEAM Learning Contest

Jan 11, 2017 12:45 PM ET

Samsung Electronics America (SEA) announced the 51 state winners of the 7th annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest – a nationwide competition that challenges students to use STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) skills to affect real-world change.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Jan. 11 Is Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Are Companies Listening?

Jan 11, 2017 12:40 PM ET

There are steps companies can take immediately – and with little effort – to reduce or eliminate supply chain risks. In recognition of National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention day today, companies can renew their commitments to ethical sourcing investigative processes to provide assurances that their products do not involve slave labor.

Social Impact & Volunteering

West Mabee Boys and Girls Club Director Understands the Impact the Club Can Have on Youths

Jan 11, 2017 12:00 PM ET

Ask Jamar Giddings to pin down his favorite memory from a childhood spent with the Boys & Girls Club and he’ll tell you it was scatterball.

The game, a form of dodgeball, helped nurture an athletic ability and competitiveness that would eventually lead him out of an impoverished area of Lawton and ultimately back into the fold of the organization that shaped his life.

Events, Media & Communications

National Diversity Council CEO, Angeles Valenciano, Keynotes DreamWeek Awards Luncheon

Jan 11, 2017 11:00 AM ET

National Diversity Council CEO, Angeles Valenciano, will have the honor of acting as the keynote speaker for DreamWeek San Antonio’s DreamVoice Awards Luncheon.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption Names Two New Board Members

Jan 11, 2017 11:00 AM ET

The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption welcomes two new board of trustees members this month. Deepak Ajmani and Robert Geen will each join the board for a three-year term.

Education

Ecolab Foundation Awards $1.1 Million to Teachers in 2016 Through Visions for Learning National Educator Grants Program

Jan 11, 2017 9:45 AM ET

Ecolab Inc., the global leader in water, hygiene and energy technologies and services, has awarded $1.1 million in grants to K-12 educators throughout the U.S. through the Ecolab Foundation’s 2016 Visions for Learning Educator Grants program.

Responsible Production & Consumption

7 Basic Steps for Conducting a Successful Materiality Assessment

Jan 11, 2017 9:45 AM ET

Materiality is a hot topic in the corporate sustainability world, with CSR teams working hard to meaningfully convey the opportunities and successes of their initiatives to both internal and external stakeholders.

Environment

Incoming EPA Chief: Fox in the Henhouse

Jan 11, 2017 9:10 AM ET

When someone sues an organization repeatedly and then gets put in charge of that agency it's a pretty classic example of the fox guarding the henhouse.

Environment

“Externalities” is a Big Word

Jan 11, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Do we pay for these costs at the grocery store cash register? Not even close. That’s what I mean by the market’s failure to internalize external costs.

Energy

Duke Energy Renewables Acquires Three California Solar Projects From SunPower

Jan 11, 2017 9:00 AM ET

Duke Energy Renewables announced today it has acquired three solar power projects from SunPower Corp. totaling 55 megawatts (MW).

The sites include the 20-MW Rio Bravo I, the 20-MW Rio Bravo II, and the 15-MW Wildwood Solar II solar power plants. They are located in Kern County, California, adjacent to two existing solar sites owned by Duke Energy Renewables.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Cargill Foundation Partnerships Reached More Than 300,000 Children in 2016

Jan 11, 2017 8:45 AM ET

Partnering with local non-profits, Wayzata-based food, agriculture and nutrition company Cargill is investing in improving the way Minneapolis kids eat, learn and learn to eat well. In addition to funding education programs, the Cargill Foundation contributed more than $1.9 million in grants in 2016 to improve access to nutritious food and nutrition education for more than 300,000 children ages 2-12 in the Twin Cities.

Environment

Procter & Gamble’s Environmental New Year’s Resolution - Send Zero Manufacturing Waste to Landfill From All Production Sites by 2020

Jan 11, 2017 8:30 AM ET

Environment

Orvis CEO Stresses Urgency of Everglades Crisis

Jan 11, 2017 8:00 AM ET

I remember from my earliest days camping with my father, he taught me and my brother to always leave a campsite better than we found it. That has become a metaphor for my life and our company.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Kimberly-Clark’s “Certified” Sustainability Hero

Jan 11, 2017 8:00 AM ET

As one of the world’s largest buyers of market pulp, Kimberly-Clark knows that protecting our forests is critical to addressing climate change, conserving terrestrial biodiversity and ensuring a resilient, healthy supply chain.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Americorps Members to Repair Flood-Damaged Homes in Louisiana with Rebuilding Together for MLK Day

Jan 11, 2017 7:00 AM ET

Rebuilding Together will join with its affiliate, Rebuilding Together Acadiana, and its AmeriCorps members to repair flood-damaged homes for MLK Day.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

JPMorgan Chase and CCSSO Announce $20 Million to Improve Career Education for Young People in 10 U.S. States

Jan 11, 2017 5:45 AM ET

The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) and JPMorgan Chase & Co. today announced $20 million in grants to 10 U.S. states to dramatically increase the number of students who graduate from high school prepared for careers. Developed as part of JPMorgan Chase’s $75 million global New Skills for Youth initiative, each winning state will work with government, business and education leaders to strengthen career education and create pathways to economic success.

Innovation & Technology

Whirlpool Corporation Debuts New Zera™ Food Recycler on Indiegogo

Jan 10, 2017 6:00 PM ET

Whirlpool Corporation announces the release of the Zera™ Food Recycler, a state-of-the-art kitchen appliance that turns today’s food waste into tomorrow’s fertilizer. The Zera™ system – from WLabs of Whirlpool Corporation, the company’s innovation incubator – will debut at CES® 2017 and is available for pre-orders on Indiegogo.

Innovation & Technology

PayPal Exceeds $7 Billion in Charitable Giving in 2016 as Mobile Giving Continues to Surge

Jan 10, 2017 4:00 PM ET

PayPal reported 11 percent growth in charitable giving in 2016, processing $7.3 billion in contributions over the year, including more than $971 million raised during the holiday season alone. Proving that spirits really were brighter this holiday, the company announced today that 8 million PayPal users in 181 countries contributed $971,213,604 to 282,053 charities, making 2016 the biggest year for end-of-year donations with PayPal ever.

Energy

CITGO Kicks off the New Year With Annual Marketer Roundtable Meetings

Jan 10, 2017 2:25 PM ET

CITGO Petroleum Corporation kicks off its annual Marketer Roundtable meetings on Jan. 10 with an emphasis on new initiatives, industry trends and best practices. Continuing through Feb. 2 in various cities throughout the company’s marketing regions, CITGO marketing personnel will address the following and more:

Diversity & Inclusion

This New Year Focus on Improving Employees Quality of Life

Jan 10, 2017 2:15 PM ET

The New Year is always an excellent time for employers to reflect on the previous year and plan for the coming year.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Source Control Investigation Activities for a Midstream Oil and Gas Client

Jan 10, 2017 1:50 PM ET

A midstream oil and gas client requested that Antea Group conduct a variety of sediment, transition zone, and erodable bank soil studies at bulk fuel terminals to determine potential contaminants of concern and possible sources. Antea Group collected multiple surface grab samples for contaminants related to the client’s operations, as well as adjacent facilities. This included DDT and PCB samples for fingerprinting analysis.

Diversity & Inclusion

Arrow Electronics Promotes Gender Diversity in Colorado Technology Industry

Jan 10, 2017 1:15 PM ET

Responsible Production & Consumption

Environmental Impact of 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid 31 Percent Less Than Previous-Generation Minivan

Jan 10, 2017 12:25 PM ET

The all-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, the most efficient minivan of all time, offers consumers a brighter shade of green performance.