ESG News from Leading Brands

Responsible Production & Consumption

7 Key Takeaways from the RY2015 Conflict Minerals SEC Filings

Jul 27, 2016 3:00 PM ET

Companies can utilize Conflict Minerals Reporting as an opportunity to thoroughly investigate their supply chains, create value-sharing and mitigate risk by getting to know their suppliers throughout the supply chain.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

How Starwood Hotels and Resorts Measures Social Impact: An Interview with Kristin Meyer, Associate Director of Community Partnerships

Jul 27, 2016 3:00 PM ET

Since 2009, Global Citizenship has been a cornerstone of Starwood’s business strategy. Global Citizenship provides Starwood’s guests, customers, communities, owners, and associates a better way to experience the world.

Education

Baxter Seeds Real World Experience in STEM for Chicago-Area Students

Jul 27, 2016 2:30 PM ET

In a world where science and engineering skills are becoming more essential to move a technology-based society forward, building a classic baking soda volcano or making ice cream in a bag during chemistry class is no longer enough to equip today’s students with the knowledge they need. Baxter thrives on its core mission to save and sustain lives with the most advanced technology, but as part of its effort to continue making a difference for patients and healthcare providers around the world, Baxter recognizes innovation needs to start in the classroom.

Energy

Flexible Combined Cycle Power Generation

Jul 27, 2016 2:25 PM ET

When we switch on the lights, most of us aren’t thinking about how electricity is generated. What really happens, how does a power plant work? Siemens’ proven Flex-Plant™ Combined Cycle Technology provides clean, efficient, and reliable electricity when it’s needed most.

Education

Kids From Around the World Work to STEM the Tide of Trash with FIRST LEGO League

Jul 27, 2016 2:05 PM ET

There’s more to trash than meets the eye. That’s what more than 233,000 kids from around the world learned when they got creative with ways to improve waste management. As part of the 2015-2016 TRASH TREKSM Challenge, FIRST LEGO League teams in 80 countries explored the fascinating world of trash—from collection and sorting, to smart production and reuse. FIRST LEGO League teams from 21 countries then submitted their inventions for the sixth annual FIRST LEGO League Global Innovation Award, sponsored by Booz Allen Hamilton.

Innovation & Technology

Nonprofit Spark MicroGrants Works to Help Communities Help Themselves with NetSuite

Jul 27, 2016 2:00 PM ET

How a software donation from NetSuite.org is enabling nonprofit Spark Microgrants to streamline manual process and grow the number of communities it serves.

Environment

High Time For Legalization

Jul 27, 2016 1:45 PM ET

California, the nation’s most populous state, votes again this Fall on the legalization of marijuana.

Health & Healthcare

How a Diet for Pilots Could Improve Nutrition for the Elderly

Jul 27, 2016 12:40 PM ET

The food Nestlé developed for the pilots of Solar Impulse - the first ever solar-powered plane to complete a round-the-world trip - was the only ‘fuel’ on board during their epic adventure.

Social Impact & Volunteering

2,500 GM Employees Volunteer in Detroit’s Cody Rouge Community

Jul 27, 2016 12:10 PM ET

It’ll be all hands (and arms and legs) on deck when 2,500 General Motors employees return to Detroit’s Cody Rouge community to volunteer the week of Aug. 15. Employees will donate their time and talent to board up vacant homes, clean empty lots, spruce up streets and tackle other neighborhood and school improvements.

Health & Healthcare

Part III of the Exclusive Ideagen Interview with Amway’s Jeff Terry with Ideagen’s George Sifakis

Jul 27, 2016 12:05 PM ET

Part III of the Exclusive Ideagen Interview with Amway’s Jeff Terry with Ideagen’s George Sifakis

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

A Recent Sustainability Grad Nails it on Successful Networking

Jul 27, 2016 11:30 AM ET

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

3BL Media Partners with UK’s Business in the Community to Drive Awareness of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Achievements

Jul 27, 2016 11:05 AM ET

3BL Media, a corporate communications platform for corporate responsibility and sustainability content, and Business in the Community, the Prince’s Responsible Business Network, have formed a partnership to increase awareness of social impact initiatives in the UK and globally.

Environment

Antea Group Case Study: Data Management and Visualization for Interim Measure Plan

Jul 27, 2016 10:30 AM ET

Groundwater impact was discovered at the bedrock surface off-site and the client needed to quickly be able to access a long history of site data and develop a conceptual site model.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Barclays Pioneers: From Inclusion to Empowerment

Jul 27, 2016 10:30 AM ET

Growing up, if I wanted to speak to someone I would meet them face to face; if I needed to learn something, I would ask someone or look it up in a book; and when I needed to get somewhere new, I would use a map to navigate myself.

Environment

The Politics of Energy: Change or Be Changed

Jul 27, 2016 10:15 AM ET

One of the leading female CEOs on Wall Street gives a glimpse at the Future of Energy and how clean energy can create jobs and save humanity

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

RobecoSAM Recognized “SRI Provider of the Year” at the European Pensions Awards 2016

Jul 27, 2016 10:00 AM ET

RobecoSAM has won the “SRI Provider of the Year” category at this year’s European Pensions Awards. The award, which was presented in association with European Pensions magazine, recognizes outstanding achievement in the SI market. The European Pensions Awards honor the exceptional accomplishments of investment firms, consultancies and pension providers that have set the professional standards in the varied field of European pension provision. RobecoSAM beat 9 other candidates also shortlisted for the SRI Provider of the Year title in the 9th edition of the European Pensions Awards.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Atlas Copco Employee Charity Organization "Water for All" Helps Provide Clean Water to Flint, MI

Jul 27, 2016 9:20 AM ET

Atlas Copco Tools and Assembly Systems donated $10,000 to United Way of Genesee County to support the Flint, Michigan, water crisis. The funds came from Atlas Copco’s own charity organization, Water for All, to which employees contribute.

Research, Reports & Publications

Xylem Human-Powered Pump for Rural Farmers

Jul 27, 2016 9:00 AM ET

Xylem’s Saajhi treadle pump uses human weight and motion to move water and was designed to help smallholder farmers in rural areas irrigate their land more efficiently.

Research, Reports & Publications

Fast Facts

Jul 27, 2016 9:00 AM ET

Social Impact & Volunteering

Tetra Tech Employees Teach High School Students about their Local Environment

Jul 27, 2016 9:00 AM ET

Promoting science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in our local communities and teaching students about Tetra Tech’s role in the community

Responsible Production & Consumption

Net-Zero Energy Is Now ‘In the Grasp’ of Wastewater Treatment Facilities

Jul 27, 2016 9:00 AM ET

It is commonly known that wastewater possesses more energy than needed to operate a treatment facility, but the number of net-zero energy water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs) is still very low worldwide. Yet, a recent study states that the possibility of net-zero energy is now in the grasp of many wastewater facilities, and the report provides some of the best insights on record as to how to achieve such results.

Social Impact & Volunteering

BCBS Employees Take an Active Role in Community Health Initiatives

Jul 27, 2016 9:00 AM ET

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) system provides health insurance coverage for one in every three Americans. About 150,000 of those people are employees of the 36 BCBS companies - people who live, work and play in the same communities we serve. From CEOs to or summer interns, BCBS employees are committed to taking an active role to help improve the health of our neighbors.

Energy

More Ethanol Could Reduce GHG ​Emissions ​By 14 Percent, New Study Shows

Jul 27, 2016 9:00 AM ET

There has always been a controversy around the ethanol in relation to its environmental credentials. Detractors say it could actually be worse than fossil fuel while supporters ​claim that​, by and large, it ​can help ​clean​ up transportation​, a major source of emissions that cause global warming.

Events, Media & Communications

Jack Kicks Cancer: 10 Years Strong

Jul 27, 2016 8:00 AM ET

Ten years ago Jack Blake was inspired to start a nonprofit called Jack Kicks Cancer to honor of his father, and to make a larger impact in the fight against cancer. Having just celebrated their 10th anniversary soccer tournament fundraising event, we caught up with Jack to hear more of his story and what continues to drive him forward.

Environment

Albertsons Companies Increases the Use of Biodiesel for its Truck Fleets

Jul 27, 2016 8:00 AM ET

As one of the country’s largest food and drug retailers, Albertsons Companies is actively pursuing the goal of reducing waste and minimizing our environmental impact. We look for opportunities to lower the carbon footprint in our stores, offices, facilities and distribution centers across all of our banners (including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons and Pavilions).