ESG News from Leading Brands

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Tis’ the Season to Give Cheer

Nov 16, 2016 12:00 PM ET

It’s the most wonderful time of the year and while it’s a season of giving gifts to family and friends, it’s also a season of giving gifts to the people and causes that need it most. Following Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday is celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Sanofi Recognized by “Patents for Humanity” Program

Nov 16, 2016 12:00 PM ET

Sanofi announced today that the U.S. Commerce Department’s United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has recognized the company in the prestigious “Patents for Humanity” program. Sanofi has been chosen for an Honorable Mention for its sustained commitment to develop the investigational anti-malarial compound Ferroquine.

Innovation & Technology

Taproot Foundation and NetSuite.org Release a Hands-On Playbook for Companies to Pair Software Product Donations with Pro Bono Service to Maximize Social Impact

Nov 16, 2016 11:30 AM ET

Today at the Social Innovation Summit in Silicon Valley, a global convening of thinkers, practitioners, and leaders in the social impact sector, Taproot Foundation and NetSuite.org are releasing an easy-to-use Product Donations + Pro Bono Service Playbook. This playbook is designed for companies interested in combining pro bono service—donated professional expertise from their employees—with a product donation program, in order to maximize the social impact of their programs.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

United Way of Lake County Strengthens Program Providing At-Risk Children With Access to Care

Nov 16, 2016 11:00 AM ET

United Way of Lake County will expand its high-impact program, Success By 6 Home Visiting, which provides at-risk children with early intervention services and healthcare to ensure they reach age-appropriate developmental milestones, with the support of a $25,000 contribution from Baxter International.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Engaging in the Movement: Leveraging Technology for Good

Nov 16, 2016 10:40 AM ET

Andrew Troup, Director of Corporate Giving & Engagement Strategy at MicroEdge + Blackbaud, explains how the technology you use every day can contribute to greater social good.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Election Weighs Heavily as Sustainable Business Execs Gather in DC

Nov 16, 2016 10:35 AM ET

Congress returned to work Monday for a lame duck session following last week’s election. Today, hundreds of corporate social responsibility (CSR) executives head to Washington hoping their sustainable business missions are not up-ended by a Donald Trump presidency.

The elephant in the room at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation's 2016 Corporate Citizenship Conference is whether campaign rhetoric turns into policy, and whether business leaders will stay the course on ambitious social impact and environmental initiatives.

I will be attending the conference, themed “Progress and Purpose,” and will provide updates for 3BL Media during the two-day event. Here’s a link to the agenda, which can be followed on Twitter using the hashtag #USCCFPurpose.

Environment

Carnival Corporation Recognised for Environmental Excellence

Nov 16, 2016 10:30 AM ET

Three of Carnival’s brands, Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line and Princess Cruises, which regularly visit the Port of Seattle, were all praised for their environmental stewardship and programs that go above and beyond regulations and industry standards.

Environment

HP and Staples: A Decade of Recycling Collaboration

Nov 16, 2016 10:15 AM ET

When HP unveiled the HP Planet Partners program 25 years ago, the idea behind it was simple: make it free and easy for customers to recycle their used HP cartridges or any brand of used computing equipment.

Innovation & Technology

How 4G is Helping Taiwan Achieve its Smart City and Educational Objectives

Nov 16, 2016 10:10 AM ET

Video games. Computers. TV. Children today spend so much time indoors using electronic media that they lack the physical fitness, concentration and social skills of previous generations. Some findings conclude that too much time indoors is directly correlated with decreased academic performance.

Research, Reports & Publications

Medtronic Releases FY16 Integrated Performance Report

Nov 16, 2016 10:10 AM ET

Environment

America’s Great Plains Lost More Habitat in 2014 than the Brazilian Amazon: WWF Report

Nov 16, 2016 10:05 AM ET

In 2014 the Great Plains lost more acres of grasslands than the Brazilian Amazon lost to deforestation, according to a new report from World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Fifty-three million acres of America’s Great Plains have been lost since 2009, threatening important and iconic species like grasslands songbirds, the monarch butterfly, and native bumble bees.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

American Cancer Society and CVS Health Foundation Award Grants to Help 20 Colleges and Universities Go Tobacco-Free in Largest Initiative of Its Kind

Nov 16, 2016 10:00 AM ET

The American Cancer Society and the CVS Health Foundation today awarded grants to 20 U.S. colleges and universities as part of their Tobacco-Free Generation Campus Initiative (TFGCI), a $3.6 million multi-year program intended to accelerate and expand the adoption and implementation of 100 percent smoke- and tobacco-free campus policies. The announcement coincides this week with the American Cancer Society Great American Smokeout.

Health & Healthcare

Prosthesis Instead of Pumps - Fashion for People with Disabilities

Nov 16, 2016 10:00 AM ET

Since 2010, Begraniz has been designing fashion for people with amputations, down syndrome, cerebral palsy and wheel chair users under the name of "Bezgraniz Couture".

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Access to Energy: Our Ambition for Tomorrow

Nov 16, 2016 9:50 AM ET

At Schneider Electric, we consider access to energy as a basic human right. And, as proof of our commitment, we are running programs around the globe to help get electricity to the people who need it.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

CITGO Employees Raise 15 Percent of the United Way SWLA $4 Million Regional Goal

Nov 16, 2016 9:30 AM ET

CITGO Lake Charles Refinery employees recently raised 15 percent of the United Way SWLA regional goal of $4 million for the organization to provide essential programs and services to the Southwest Louisiana community. The funds were raised by CITGO employees during the refinery’s annual CITGO United Way campaign. The 2016 Give Today Change Tomorrow campaign took place on-site during September and October and raised a grand total of $621,266.32.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Environmental Liability Transfer for a Global Oil and Gas Company

Nov 16, 2016 9:00 AM ET

As a solution to an integrated oil client’s liability reduction goals, Antea Group executed a liability transfer contract for the known and unknown pre-existing environmental liability for a portfolio of 146 active retail fuel outlets in the Mid-Atlantic. Of the 146 facilities, 38 had active incidents being managed by others at the time of the liability transfer.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Kate Poole and the Healing Power of Regenerative Investing

Nov 16, 2016 9:00 AM ET

Kate Poole shares her talents as a comic artist to illustrate this story about the evolution of her personal investing philosophy, as she works to channel her inherited wealth to fund innovative projects and enterprises led by communities that have been the victim of an extractive economy. Kate Poole, 29, traces her inherited wealth back to her Jewish forebears on her maternal side.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Sustainable Brands Announces Newest Members to its Advisory Board

Nov 16, 2016 9:00 AM ET

Sustainable Brands® announces 5 newest members to its global Advisory Board. In total, 43 sustainability and brand leaders from diverse industry sectors represent the Sustainable Brands Advisory Board.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Ch. 2 WSB-TV Names Linda Cotten Taylor as Atlanta’s 2016 Cox Conserves Hero

Nov 16, 2016 9:00 AM ET

Ch. 2 WSB-TV and The Trust for Public Land announced Linda Cotten Taylor as Atlanta’s 2016 Cox Conserves Hero. The program honors volunteers who are creating, preserving or enhancing outdoor spaces.

Environment

Ecocentricity Blog: Credit Where Credit is Due

Nov 16, 2016 9:00 AM ET

No, we don’t get the credit. The Ray does. They have done the work (amazing work), and all the Foundation does is write the check.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Human Wellbeing an Increasing Priority for Business with Launch of ISO Standard

Nov 16, 2016 8:35 AM ET

ISO standards have been steadily increasing in popularity amongst landlords and occupiers over the past two decades, and the most recent addition to this suite of best practice management systems is the British and International Standard BS/ISO 27500.

Health & Healthcare

Amway Vietnam Celebrates First Anniversary of Nutrilite™ Power of 5 Campaign

Nov 16, 2016 8:30 AM ET

Environment

On America Recycles Day, Las Vegas Sands Continues to do its Part to Minimize Waste

Nov 16, 2016 8:30 AM ET

At Las Vegas Sands (LVS), we care deeply about the environment and have worked tirelessly over the years to incorporate sustainable practices into our regional operations. One such practice we are very proud of is waste management – the collection, transportation, and disposal of garbage and other waste products.

Energy

All-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Delivers Efficiency, Versatility and Technology

Nov 16, 2016 8:15 AM ET

The all-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid electrifies the minivan segment, adding an innovative, advanced hybrid powertrain to the Pacifica’s no-compromises combination of functionality, versatility, technology and bold styling – all starting for less than $35,000 with the available federal tax credit.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Supply Chain Course: Manage and Communicate with Vendors and Suppliers

Nov 16, 2016 8:00 AM ET

This one-day course examines the environmental, social, and economic risks and opportunities present throughout a company's supply chain.