ESG News from Leading Brands

Education

Nat Geo Mundo Explorer Competition Grants Four High School Students a Summer of Science, Travel and Photography

Aug 31, 2016 9:00 PM ET

The Nat Geo Mundo Explorer competition, a joint effort between DIRECTV and 21st Century Fox's Nat Geo Mundo channel, launched in January as a way to expand opportunities for young people to participate in National Geographic Student Expeditions. The program matches student groups with a National Geographic Explorer, who then guides the students through original research and photography projects at one of more than 40 locations across the globe. Nat Geo Mundo Explorer offered full scholarships to the Student Expeditions program and allowed the winners to select any of the available trips.

Diversity & Inclusion

100,000 Opportunities Initiative Exceeds Goal and Hires 100,000 Opportunity Youth In First Year

Aug 31, 2016 7:15 PM ET

The 100,000 Opportunities Initiative, the country’s largest employer-led coalition committed to creating pathways to meaningful employment for young people, today announced that it has met its goal of employing 100,000 Opportunity Youth, the population of 16-24 year olds who are out of work and not in school, two years ahead of schedule.

Environment

The Role of Restaurants in Preserving Water Quality

Aug 31, 2016 4:35 PM ET

August is National Water Quality Month in the United States, and Yum! Brands is taking time to reflect on the role of restaurants in preserving and promoting water quality.

Energy

National Grid Pursues Smart Energy Solutions Extension

Aug 31, 2016 4:30 PM ET

Education

Illinois Students Experience STEM Opportunities Firsthand with Baxter Mentors

Aug 31, 2016 4:00 PM ET

Lindblom Math & Science Academy Senior JeNaye Beavers’ interest in medicine was initially sparked by curiosity. After constantly suffering from migraines early on in high school, she wanted to know not only why, but how she could fix it. JeNaye found an opportunity to put her ideas into action by extending her experience with scientific research beyond the classroom through the Research & Development STEM Learning Exchange STEM Challenge.

Responsible Production & Consumption

Bring on the Artisan Pickles: How Generation Z’s Preferences are Changing Campus Dining

Aug 31, 2016 4:00 PM ET

This is the third 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.

Responsible Production & Consumption

GAO Says That Companies Struggle to Determine If Conflict Minerals Help Fund Armed Groups in the DRC

Aug 31, 2016 3:45 PM ET

On August 25th, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a 56-page report on findings regarding the 2015 reporting year SEC Conflict Minerals Rule filings. This year, over 1200 publicly-traded companies were required by Dodd Frank Act Section 1502 (Conflict Minerals Rule) to file annual specialized disclosure forms and conflict minerals reports. The title of the report released by the GAO is “SEC Conflict Minerals Rule: Companies Face Continuing Challenges in Determining Whether Their Conflict Minerals Benefit Armed Groups.”

Events, Media & Communications

Top 5 Reasons to Run the New York City Marathon with Team LIVESTRONG

Aug 31, 2016 3:30 PM ET

Innovation & Technology

What Makes a Honda - Nick's Story

Aug 31, 2016 3:00 PM ET

Even though Naoki "Nick" Sugimoto studied automotive engineering at the University of Tokyo, he never planned to work in the automotive industry. Now, Sugimoto, who joined Honda in 2005, serves as a liaison between the technology and automotive industries and is the newest Honda associate featured in the What Makes a Honda is Who Makes a Honda video series.

Research, Reports & Publications

Video - Sustainability: More than Just a Word at Caterpillar

Aug 31, 2016 3:00 PM ET

Sustainability is one of our Core Values at Caterpillar.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Jason Motte: The Man Behind Baseball’s Strike Out Cancer Effort

Aug 31, 2016 2:15 PM ET

Jason Motte provides relief both on and off the field. As September begins Pediatric Cancer Awareness month, the 34-year-old right-hander will play an even bigger role than his usual place in the Colorado Rockies’ bullpen.

Health & Healthcare

Philips and Qualcomm Announce Strategic Collaboration to Advance Personalized Connected Health Care

Aug 31, 2016 2:05 PM ET

Social Impact & Volunteering

BCBS Programs Work to Raise Awareness about Domestic Violence

Aug 31, 2016 2:00 PM ET

Domestic violence threatens the health and wellbeing of men, women and children across the country. In fact, domestic violence is so prevalent that one in four women will be a victim of domestic violence in her lifetime. Acting on the belief that everyone deserves to be healthy and safe, Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) companies have dedicated programs to provide support for victims and the prevention of domestic violence in their communities.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

The UPS Foundation Advances Global Forestry Initiative

Aug 31, 2016 1:45 PM ET

The UPS Foundation, which leads the global citizenship programs for UPS (NYSE: UPS), announced it will award more than $2.6 million in grants to nonprofit organizations focused on environmental sustainability initiatives. This includes a significant grant to twenty-five year partner, The Nature Conservancy, a global organization that works to preserve ecologically important land and water resources through conservation.

Education

Academia Meets Automotive: College Students and GM Unite to Boost Sustainability

Aug 31, 2016 1:45 PM ET

General Motors created its first Student Sustainability Advisory Council this year to begin a new dialogue on sustainability. Composed of five graduate students from MIT, Penn State, Georgia Tech, University of Michigan and Stanford, the council provides fresh perspectives on sustainability at GM.

Innovation & Technology

October Reveal for Chevrolet Colorado-Based Fuel Cell Vehicle

Aug 31, 2016 1:15 PM ET

General Motors and the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) will reveal a Chevrolet Colorado-based fuel cell electric vehicle in October at the fall meeting of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) in Washington, D.C.

Environment

Agriculture, Food, Environmental Leaders Launch Effort to Support Farmers, Strengthen Conservation in Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska

Aug 31, 2016 12:15 PM ET

Agriculture, Food, Environmental Leaders Launch Effort to Support Farmers, Strengthen Conservation in Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska -- Midwest Row Crop Collaborative Founding Members Include Cargill, Environmental Defense Fund, General Mills, Kellogg Company, Monsanto, PepsiCo, The Nature Conservancy, Walmart, World Wildlife Fund

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Wendy’s Franchise Owner Keeps His Foot on the Pedal for Children in Foster Care

Aug 31, 2016 12:00 PM ET

It’s the home to a distinct type of barbeque and this city straddles a state line. Today Ed Anderson’s Tour de Adoption takes us to Kansas City. He’s trying to raise $1 million to help find forever families for children in foster care. And dollar by dollar, he is doing it, but he still needs help!

Events, Media & Communications

REGISTER TODAY & Save 15% for "Building a Best-in-Class CSR Dept" CSR 2-Track Certificate by G&A Institute & Rutgers IEL in September

Aug 31, 2016 11:15 AM ET

Social Impact & Volunteering

CITGO and Special Olympics Illinois Hit the Road for the World’s Largest Truck Convoy®

Aug 31, 2016 10:30 AM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Bloomberg Philanthropies and Harvard University Launch Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative

Aug 31, 2016 10:25 AM ET

Bloomberg Philanthropies and Harvard University are jointly announcing the launch of the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative, an unparalleled collaboration to advance leadership, management and innovation in cities across America and around the world.

Diversity & Inclusion

PYXERA Global Announces Organizational Changes to Support Strategic Partnerships Imperative

Aug 31, 2016 10:15 AM ET

PYXERA Global announces organizational changes intended to enhance the experience of its client base globally. The non-profit has grown tremendously in breadth and depth over the past five years.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Get to Know JetBlue, Finalist for 2016 Employee Volunteer Program of the Year

Aug 31, 2016 10:10 AM ET

Rather than restrict volunteering to single cause or organization, JetBlue supports the unique, individual passions and causes of all their employees, known as crewmembers. By powering their volunteer program with VolunteerMatch, they are able to empower crewmembers to truly give back in a way that is both meaningful and personal.

Environment

Oliver Koehler: Hanging Up Solar Shingles

Aug 31, 2016 10:00 AM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Resilience—What Does This Buzzword Really Mean?

Aug 31, 2016 9:15 AM ET