ESG News from Leading Brands

Environment

Volkswagen Brand Improves Environmental Compatibility of Car Production by 25 Percent

Jul 8, 2016 10:00 AM ET

Volkswagen plants are now 25% more environmentally compatible due to the Think Blue. Factory. program.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

GRI Announces Leadership Change

Jul 8, 2016 10:00 AM ET

Events, Media & Communications

Top 5 Reasons to Get Muddy with Team LIVESTRONG

Jul 8, 2016 8:00 AM ET

Heard about Tough Mudder events but not sure whether they are for you? Here are five great reasons to get muddy with Team LIVESTRONG:

Diversity & Inclusion

Twitter Chat Recap: Navigating a Career in Tech with #BUILTBYGIRLS & NetSuite.org

Jul 8, 2016 8:00 AM ET

In this Twitter Chat cohosted by #BUILTBYGIRLS and NetSuite.org, participants share tips for starting and navigating a career in tech as a woman -- from writing a resume to networking and building relationships, and more.

Innovation & Technology

Cities Introduce Smart Programs in Divergent Manners

Jul 7, 2016 6:30 PM ET

Cities across the globe have followed multiple tracks in their quest to become “smart.” It isn’t a question of right or wrong. However, two key themes are emerging in their approach – either start with a pilot project that produces quick results, or undertake a comprehensive master plan that strategically lays out the coming years and decades.

Research, Reports & Publications

Infographic: 2015 Biggest Wins

Jul 7, 2016 4:30 PM ET

Alliance Data is highlighting our biggest wins of 2015: we continued to perform among the top 1% of publicly traded companies, we were recognized by Fortune Magazine for our culture of inclusion, we increased giving by 84%, and more. Check out this infographic about our 2015 achievements.

Environment

How She Leads: Boeing's Julie Felgar on the Sustainability Craft

Jul 7, 2016 3:55 PM ET

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Solutions by VolunteerMatch Clients Continue to Shine in The Civic 50

Jul 7, 2016 3:45 PM ET

This year, as in previous years, Solutions by VolunteerMatch clients have a dominating presence on The Civic 50 List. We are honored to work with these companies — who are not only making waves in their communities — but are raising the bar for how good businesses should operate in today’s business climate.

Diversity & Inclusion

Striving for Perfection on the Basketball Court and in Life

Jul 7, 2016 3:35 PM ET

Pat Summitt, head coach of the University of Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team from 1974 to 2012, was a master of hard work, determination and success. Summitt won over 1,098 games, 8 NCAA titles, and the hearts of millions of people across the globe. As the world mourns the recent loss of such an inspiring coach, we also remember her brilliant legacy and the lessons it can teach us as we move forward.

Diversity & Inclusion

Access and Aging: Leveling the Tech Playing Field

Jul 7, 2016 3:05 PM ET

Recently the AT&T Advisory Panel on Access & Aging (AAPAA) met in Washington, D.C. for a semi-annual meeting to discuss needs and trends in the accessibility and aging community with guest speakers and corporate advisors. AAPAA is a group of 15 different organizations that have a vast network of constituencies looking to AT&T to bring innovative technology to the market that allows individuals in accessibility and aging communities to lead fulfilling lives.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

New FSG Report: Catalysing Impact Deal Flow in East Africa

Jul 7, 2016 3:00 PM ET

East Africa has emerged as a hotspot of impact investing activity in recent years. However, two fundamental challenges—one around the matching between investors and enterprises and another around the preparation of enterprises in order to receive investment—are still constraining impact investing volumes (deal flow) in the region. While service providers are well equipped to help enterprises overcome both of these challenges, they themselves face constraints in scaling their models.

Diversity & Inclusion

Diversity Day 2016

Jul 7, 2016 3:00 PM ET

National and international Daimler locations took part in the event of the UN Diversity Charter initiative under the motto,"Daimler promotes diversity 365 days per year".

Innovation & Technology

Boeing, Embraer Unveil Newest ecoDemonstrator Aircraft

Jul 7, 2016 2:45 PM ET

Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Embraer S.A. [BM&F Bovespa: EMBR3, NYSE: ERJ] unveiled the next phase of the Boeing ecoDemonstrator program today. The program expands Boeing and Embraer's cooperation agreement and will test technologies to improve airplane environmental performance and accelerate their introduction into the marketplace.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Cultivating Sustainable Cocoa and Agricultural Communities

Jul 7, 2016 2:10 PM ET

By helping cocoa farmers stay up to date on the latest agricultural practices and providing more opportunities for education in the communities they live in, we are working to ensure a sustainable supply of certified cocoa.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Simple Ingredients, Easy-to-Access Information

Jul 7, 2016 2:05 PM ET

In 2015, we announced our commitment to use simpler, more familiar ingredients and began delivering on that promise with the launch of our new Brookside Dark Chocolate Fruit & Nut Bars and the reformulation of our iconic Hershey’s Kisses Milk Chocolates and Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bars, which now contain no artificial flavors but have the same delicious taste—and a simpler label.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Brickyard 400 NASCAR Race Named in Honor of Veteran’s Charity Through Annual Crown Royal “Your Hero’s Name Here” Program

Jul 7, 2016 1:45 PM ET

In just a few short weeks, racing fans from across the country will flock to Indianapolis for one of NASCAR’s biggest events of the summer. And despite being named the winner of the annual Crown Royal “Your Hero’s Name Here” program, which renames the Brickyard 400 after a deserving hero, retired U.S. Navy SEAL Jason Redman’s name won’t be displayed around the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway – for good reason.

Diversity & Inclusion

Shifting Winds: How Millennials are Driving the Movement to Do Good

Jul 7, 2016 1:30 PM ET

Have you seen the SNL skit entitled “The Millennials?” It hilariously portrays millennials as dull, living-at-home, uninterested in work, always on their cell phones, and pretty much unreliable. Is this an accurate assessment? I vote a resounding “No!” In fact, my experience says that millennials are going to change the world… “for good!”

Events, Media & Communications

Timberland Global Stewards Initiative Sparks Conversation at National Conference on Volunteering and Service

Jul 7, 2016 1:15 PM ET

Last week, global outdoor lifestyle brand Timberland joined nonprofit, government, business and civic leaders from around the world at the Points of Light National Conference on Volunteering and Service. At the 2016 conference, Timberland shared how Service Unites its own employees through the company’s Global Stewards program.

Environment

Joplin Curbside Recycling Success

Jul 7, 2016 1:00 PM ET

It was a symbolic milestone for the city. A milestone that ushers in a new age for Joplin.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Points of Light Conference on Volunteering and Service: Reflecting on the Civic 50

Jul 7, 2016 12:00 PM ET

This past week, I had the privilege of joining some of the nation’s most service-minded companies, along with their intermediary and nonprofit partners, at the Points of Light Conference on Volunteering and Service. The three-day convention offered a wealth of insights, many of the most poignant and inspiring centering on the vibrancy and artistry of our host city, Detroit.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Black & Veatch Selected as a Top Data Center Solution Provider

Jul 7, 2016 11:40 AM ET

Diversity & Inclusion

Sanofi - Good Morning Sanofi - Meet Nicolas from Shanghai

Jul 7, 2016 11:35 AM ET

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Holland America Line Wins ‘Seafarer of the Year’ Award from Lloyd’s List for ms Veendam’s Rescue of Pilot from Pacific Ocean

Jul 7, 2016 11:30 AM ET

At the 2016 Lloyd's List North American Maritime Awards, the captain and crew of Holland America Line's ms Veendam were named "Seafarer of the Year" for the rescue of a pilot who ejected from his aircraft in the Pacific Ocean. Holland America Line received the award at a ceremony in New York in May.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

BJ’s Wholesale Club Gives Breakfast Boost to 350 Kids in Newark

Jul 7, 2016 11:30 AM ET

In honor of the BJ’s Wholesale Club opening soon in Kearny, the company today announced a $15,000 BJ’s Charitable Foundation grant to the Boys & Girls Club of Newark. The grant will enable the club to provide breakfast for 350 children attending six weeks of summer camp.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Republic Services Hosted Fourth of July Kids’ Zone in Sacramento

Jul 7, 2016 11:00 AM ET

For The Fourth of July, Republic Services of Sacramento hosted a Kids’ Zone at the Elk Grove “Salute to the Red White and Blue.” This festival and firework show is an annual traditional held at Elk Grove Regional Park, but the kids’ zone was this year’s new addition. Republic Services sponsored an entire area for kids of all ages to come and pla