ESG News from Leading Brands

Social Impact & Volunteering

Carlos Beltran of the New York Yankees Teaches Children the Importance of Education

Jun 24, 2016 5:00 PM ET

Carlos Beltran recorded a hit and three RBIs on Wednesday, helping the New York Yankees beat the Colorado Rockies. What he did after the game, however, left an even bigger impression.

Education

EHS Software Linked to Business Advantages

Jun 24, 2016 4:15 PM ET

From a survey of over 3,000 corporate managers, LNS Research found that companies using EHS software not only allowed companies to streamline their EHS programs, but also provided many corporate advantages. 75% of companies using EHS software were able to identify points of risk in their operations, versus 34% of companies that did not.

Health & Healthcare

A Thin Line Between "Disabled" and "Abled"

Jun 24, 2016 4:00 PM ET

One of the challenges that the disability rights movement has put before us all is to see disability in the context of how society has created a somewhat arbitrary “line” between ‘disabled’ and ‘abled’.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Why I'm Attending the Living Product Expo

Jun 24, 2016 3:05 PM ET

Social Impact & Volunteering

Ireland - Lady's Children's Hospital

Jun 24, 2016 3:00 PM ET

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

B.C. Farmers Achieving Highest Level Sustainability Certification

Jun 24, 2016 1:40 PM ET

Salmon farming companies in British Columbia are continuing to achieve the high sustainability commitments they have set. Cermaq Canada has announced that its Mussel Rock farm, located in Clayoquot Sound on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, has been certified to the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) salmon standard. This is the company’s third farm to reach the standard.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Public-Private Partnerships: Teaming Up to Find Solutions for Aging Infrastructure Challenges

Jun 24, 2016 1:15 PM ET

As utilities are challenged to minimize rate increases while balancing limited budgets with competing projects, chronic underinvestment, deferred maintenance and compliance mandates, one solution to consider is the public-private partnership (PPP) model.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Making a World of Difference: Amgen Canada Staff Volunteer During Community Day of Caring

Jun 24, 2016 1:10 PM ET

Amgen Canada staff have a long history of supporting United Way in the Peel Region of Ontario, with approximately 50 percent of the head office staff participating. Last year they collectively donated almost $40,000 to the organization. Whether organizing a chili cook off and other fun events to raise funds, cleaning up a local park or stocking shelves at a food bank, these dedicated staff are committed to improving their local community.Last year, Amgen Canada staff joined over 150 volunteers to participate in United Way’s Spring Day of Caring. This annual event organizes efforts to fight poverty and improve lives by sending teams of volunteers into the community to work at participating non-profit organizations.

Social Impact & Volunteering

5-Hour Tech 'Blitz' Benefits Nonprofit Organizations

Jun 24, 2016 1:00 PM ET

Volunteer service comes in many shapes and sizes, from painting classrooms to assembling student math kits to consulting with nonprofits to build capacity and reduce costs. On May 4, while thousands of volunteers were participating in service projects across the globe as part of Fidelity Cares Day, more than 90 technologists in Westlake leveraged their professional skills – through something called skills-based volunteering – to consult in small teams with 11 local nonprofits to provide technology recommendations.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Wendy’s Wonderful Kids: Finding Forever Families for Children in Foster Care

Jun 24, 2016 12:00 PM ET

The Wendy’s Wonderful Kids program is the signature program of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. Started in 2004, with only seven sites, the program has expanded to 215 sites, including all 50 states and six Canadian provinces.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Sodexo Earns 2016 Leading Disability Employer Seal™ for Exemplary Practices in Hiring and Employment of People with Disabilities

Jun 24, 2016 12:00 PM ET

Innovation & Technology

HP LIFE: Sparking the Entrepreneurial Spirit

Jun 24, 2016 11:35 AM ET

Bill Hewlett and David Packard were two of the original entrepreneurs of Silicon Valley. When they established HP over 75 years ago, they set out to build a company that embraced their entrepreneurial spirit. They went on to create a global business that now employs tens of thousands of people across the world who proudly carry their legacy forward, creating technology that makes life better for everyone, everywhere.

Innovation & Technology

Advancing Economic Inclusion Through Innovative Digital Solutions

Jun 24, 2016 10:05 AM ET

How can educators unlock the potential of open education resources on the web? How can a company become more accessible to the disabled? Where do you find employment opportunities for marginalized people with basic skills? How can you help struggling students to graduate?

Responsible Production & Consumption

The Hershey Company Sets Ambitious Goals to Address Priority Issues

Jun 24, 2016 10:05 AM ET

In late 2015, the Hershey Company announced ambitious new goals to significantly reduce our environmental impact, increase our purchase of responsibly sourced ingredients and become a recognized leader in employee diversity.

Research, Reports & Publications

Promoting Increased Mobility in the Retail and Adjacent Sectors

Jun 24, 2016 9:00 AM ET

Environment

Championing a Culture of Optimism at Sappi North America

Jun 24, 2016 9:00 AM ET

The rapidly changing world around us is having a widespread impact on just about everything: global economies, industries, markets, consumer trends and our planet’s resources. As a company, we are embracing this reality with a focused strategy and some very clear objectives.

Health & Healthcare

Reimagine Survivorship

Jun 24, 2016 8:00 AM ET

From 2010-2015, LIVESTRONG’s Community Impact Project (CIP) invested nearly $4 million to replicate 12 proven, outcomes-based cancer survivorship programs in nearly 600 communities across the country. One of those programs, Pillars 4 Life (now known as Reimagine.me) is now available to even more cancer survivors through their new online platform. Founder Kristin MacDermott, shares information below on how survivors can use this program to navigate the roller-coaster of emotions after treatment.

Research, Reports & Publications

UniCredit Integrated Report Details the Group’s Sustainable Value Creation

Jun 24, 2016 5:00 AM ET

The Integrated Report details UniCredit’s commitment to generating value over time, illustrating its efforts to be an effective and efficient Group. The Report presents a comprehensive account of the financial and sustainable performance of the Company. In particular, it describes the actions undertaken consistently with UniCredit’s purpose: bringing prosperity to individuals, enterprises and communities.

Environment

Guest Post: In Shaping the Future of Mobility, Convenience, Reliability Still Key

Jun 24, 2016 1:15 AM ET

General Motors Chairman and CEO Mary Barra has said the automotive industry will change more in the next five years than it has in the last 50. Here’s some proof just from our operations.

Environment

World’s First MSC Certification of Recreational Fishery Alongside Commercial Counterpart

Jun 24, 2016 1:00 AM ET

Recreational fishers were recognized for their efforts to engage in sustainable fishing practices in a landmark Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification. At a ceremony Friday in Mandurah, Western Australia, third-party certifier SCS Global Services presented the first-ever MSC certificate to Recfishwest, who along with the commercial Mandurah Licensed Fishermen's Association (MLFA), earned the coveted certification for the Western Australian Peel Harvey Estuarine Fishery. This achievement sets an important precedent for recreational fisheries everywhere.

Environment

National Geographic Brings President Obama to Yosemite to Record The White House's First Ever VR Experience

Jun 23, 2016 10:00 PM ET

National Geographic partnered with Facebook and Félix & Paul Studios to create The White House's first ever 360-degree virtual reality video experience during President Barack Obama's June 18 visit to Yosemite National Park. Audiences will have the chance to view the VR video later this summer, along with a full interview between the President and Richard Bacon, host of Explorer on 21st Century Fox's National Geographic Channel. The interview will be broadcast as part of National Geographic's Power of Parks initiative, a year-long programming push to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the National Parks Service.

Environment

The Smart City Solution

Jun 23, 2016 9:00 PM ET

Today, 80 percent of us live in cities, an explosive growth in urbanization that shows no sign of slowing down. But what are the consequences of this rapid change — for us and for our planet? As our populations condense around cities, we face tremendous challenges and exciting opportunities to make city life better and more sustainable. The key? Make our cities "smart."

Events, Media & Communications

Business Leaders Endorse Sustainable Development Goals as Framework for Shaping Corporate Strategies

Jun 23, 2016 7:35 PM ET

At the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit 2016, more than 600 business leaders from 75 countries joined leaders from civil society, the UN and Government to advance private sector actions for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Opened yesterday at United Nations Headquarters by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the second day of the Summit focused on how companies can transform their business models to responsibly meet the needs of society, tap into new markets and achieve success.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

Versaic's Financial Clients Making a Difference- June 2016

Jun 23, 2016 6:10 PM ET

From banking clients, M&T, Citi, and Fifth Third to Highmark and Dr. Pepper Snapple...check out some of our client's philanthropic stories below. We hope their good work will inspire you in your quest for making an impact in your community!

Responsible Production & Consumption

Effective Compliance & Ethics Programs Reduce Federal Fines by up to 95%

Jun 23, 2016 5:35 PM ET

Last year, the U.S. Sentencing Commission released a set of guidelines for fines assessed to organizations found responsible for federal offenses. The guidelines specify that companies with an “effective compliance and ethics program in place,” including those supported by a third party service provider, can qualify to have their fines reduced by up to 95%.