ESG News from Leading Brands

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

The Holistic Nature of Corporate Sustainability and Practical Benefits

Aug 25, 2016 1:30 PM ET

With the financial crisis forcing organizations to look beyond their bottom line and prove themselves as responsible and trustable, the issue of Corporate Sustainability rises as highly important. It is an issue that involves all of its main functions, such as HR, Marketing, Supply, and therefore brings value to the whole organization.

Energy

UPS Rolling Laboratory

Aug 25, 2016 1:30 PM ET

UPS has always been an early adopter of innovative technologies. In the early 1930s, we introduced electric vehicles into our fleet. Today, we operate one of the industry’s largest private alternative fuel and advanced technology fleets made up of more than 7,200 low-emission vehicles.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Monroe Veterans Memorial Team Receives Honors

Aug 25, 2016 1:15 PM ET

Monroe’s American Legion Arthur Kincaid Post No. 58, the Monroe Historical Society, Park Place Middle School and Boy Scout Troop 53 have been identified as recipients of the 2016 Community Stewardship Award, an annual honor presented by the Snohomish County Council and Republic Services.

Research, Reports & Publications

Caterpillar's Integrated Value Chain

Aug 25, 2016 1:00 PM ET

To deliver an integrated value chain we must engineer our value chains just like we engineer our products. It’s an end-to-end approach, encompassing the customer, dealer, product design, logistics and our supply network. When synchronized, Caterpillar maximizes quality, value and speed to the customer.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Cruise With Purpose: Six of Our Favorite Tours That Allow Guests to Give Back

Aug 25, 2016 11:30 AM ET

Holland America Line’s innovative Cruise with Purpose Collection of shore excursions is centered on improving our planet one voyage at a time. For thoughtful cruisers who wants to give back or pay it forward, these tours provide the perfect opportunity in destinations around the world. Assist in scientific research, bring much-needed supplies to an orphanage, participate in a fair trade program or cultural exchange, replant native forest or restore fragile habitat — we provide meaningful ways for you to help at these destinations.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Employee Volunteers Support Rhode Island Families In Crisis During Blue Cross & Blue Shield Of Rhode Island 5th Annual Day Of Service

Aug 25, 2016 11:10 AM ET

More than 70 percent of Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) employees will support local families in crisis during Blue across Rhode Island, the state’s largest employee day of service.

Events, Media & Communications

Domtar EarthChoice Monthly Minute | August 2016

Aug 25, 2016 10:05 AM ET

Social Impact & Volunteering

Meet Barrett Paradise Friendly Library - 2016 Pocono Mountains Community Fundraiser Winner

Aug 25, 2016 10:00 AM ET

Since its inception in 2004, the Pocono Mountains Community Fundraiser has grown to be the largest single fundraiser event in Monroe County, giving back more than $2 million to the community. More than 480 community enthusiasts attended this year’s event, titled “Keeping It Close to Home.” Event founder, Diamond Sponsor and host Sanofi Pasteur once again covered all event costs. As a result, 100 percent of ticket sales and sponsorships directly benefitted the non-profit recipients.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Inspiring Humanity Begins At Home - JetBlue In The Community

Aug 25, 2016 10:00 AM ET

Inspiring humanity begins at home. We focus our community efforts on our 93 BlueCities in the United States, Caribbean and Latin America. Led by crewmembers, our community programs embody our values of caring, passion and fun. We partner with communitybased and national organizations on issues close to our heart including children’s literacy, community infrastructure and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and aviation education. Our support comes from donations, matching grants and crewmember volunteering.

Research, Reports & Publications

Xylem Sustainability Report 2015 | Creating a More Sustainable Product Portfolio

Aug 25, 2016 10:00 AM ET

Environment

This Will Make You Want to Visit a National Park

Aug 25, 2016 10:00 AM ET

Happy birthday to the National Park Service! For 100 years, our national parks have provided a reprieve from city life, important education about conservation and some pretty memorable adventures.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Resilience Planning Will Help Increase Awareness for Properly Valuing Water

Aug 25, 2016 10:00 AM ET

For years, those working in the water industry have realized a truth that is now reaching a broader audience – water is woefully underpriced.

There is a renewed focus on the price of water infrastructure, prompted in part, by declining consumption, according to Ann Bui, Managing Director for water services in Black & Veatch’s management consulting business. As efficient water appliances have become more prevalent, consumption per capita has decreased. Conservation efforts in areas where water scarcity is a major concern have further pushed the decline.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

NFL Veterans to Go Over the Edge with Team LIVESTRONG

Aug 25, 2016 9:20 AM ET

Thirteen-year NFL veteran Chris Draft and 11-year veteran Brian Finneran will be rappelling down Atlanta’s Buckhead Tower with Team LIVESTRONG at “Over the Edge” on Sept. 10 to raise funds for LIVESTRONG at the YMCA.

Green Infrastructure

The Business Case for Resilient Buildings

Aug 25, 2016 9:15 AM ET

The Miami-Dade County building code requires commercial buildings to enclose their first 30 feet in impact-resistant glass so as to withstand damage from high winds and flying objects during a hurricane. The developers of Miami’s 1450 Brickell office tower decided to go one better, enclosing the entire 35-story building in impact-resistant glass. According to a 2015 report from the Urban Land Institute, when the tower was finished in 2010, it had “the strongest curtain wall window system of any commercial building in the nation.”

Innovation & Technology

The Future of Mobility - the Mercedes-Benz Future Bus

Aug 25, 2016 9:00 AM ET

The technology of the CityPilot in the Mercedes-Benz Future Bus is based on that of the autonomously driving Mercedes-Benz Actros truck with Highway Pilot presented two years ago. It has however undergone substantial further development specifically for use in a city bus, with numerous added functions.

Environment

National Geographic Celebrates National Park Service Centennial with Exclusive Interview with President Obama, New Photography Book, and More

Aug 24, 2016 8:00 PM ET

August 25 marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. National Parks Service, and National Geographic is celebrating by offering audiences multiple ways to discover the parks and learn how to preserve them for future generations.

Events, Media & Communications

Free State Park Day Encourages Healthy Outdoor Recreation

Aug 24, 2016 6:00 PM ET

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism partner to offer Healthy Trails Adventure Day, Oct. 1

Energy

Versaic's Energy Clients Making a Difference- August 2016

Aug 24, 2016 4:50 PM ET

As summer continues, Versaic's Energy clients are powering the way with their CSR initiatives. We have picked some of the highlights from their various giving programs to share with you- we hope their good work will inspire you in your quest for making an impact in your community!

Social Impact & Volunteering

Benevity Innovates in Corporate Giving and Volunteering with New Technology

Aug 24, 2016 3:20 PM ET

“Spark” software program ensures simple, secure and easy giving so grassroots philanthropy can be part of everyday life. Miranda Ingram reports...

Education

Comcast Announces 3 Million Low-Income Americans Have Crossed the Digital Divide Through Its Internet Essentials Program

Aug 24, 2016 2:45 PM ET

Education

Boeing’s 100 Days of Learning Brings Accessible STEM Education to Kids Across the Globe

Aug 24, 2016 2:20 PM ET

With 100 years of innovation experience behind them, Boeing is looking ahead to the next 100 years of aerospace visionaries with their 100 Days of Learning campaign. The 100 Days campaign includes a wide range of resources to engage students, via teachers and parents, in STEM education.

Health & Healthcare

Haiti Impact Trip Provides Eye-Opening Experience for Stop Hunger Now Partner

Aug 24, 2016 2:15 PM ET

Since 2005, nearly one million people have volunteered to package meals for Stop Hunger Now, yet only a handful have had the opportunity to see the faces of those who are impacted daily. While I was aware of the existence of starvation, malnutrition, and poverty in parts of the world, I never expected to see them firsthand, as I did on a Stop Hunger Now Impact Trip to Haiti in March, 2016.

Research, Reports & Publications

Global Influencers Publicly Commit to Climate Change Actions

Aug 24, 2016 2:05 PM ET

Education

Growing Up Gen Z: New Challenges and Opportunities for Campus Life

Aug 24, 2016 1:55 PM ET

This is the second blog in an ongoing series examining how colleges and universities can understand and address the expectations of Generation Z college students. We’ll explore some of the most significant issues, including academic interests, housing expectations, ideological tendencies, dining preferences, and spending habits. The goal is to provide valuable insights that can help guide campus decision-makers in creating an environment that supports student success, well-being, satisfaction, and achievement.

Social Impact & Volunteering

VolunteerMatch and Bright Funds Partner to Help Corporate Employees Find their Perfect Cause

Aug 24, 2016 1:40 PM ET

VolunteerMatch, the web’s largest volunteer engagement network, and Bright Funds, the company that connects everyday donors and companies to causes they care about, announce their partnership, which will make it easy for employees and everyday donors to find volunteer opportunities they are passionate about.