ESG News from Leading Brands

Health & Healthcare

Swinging for the Fences - a Doctor's Take on Volunteering

Aug 30, 2016 7:25 AM ET

I recently volunteered at a Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy event, supported by VSP Global. My most memorable patient was a fifth-grade girl who never had an eye exam. She was uncorrected at 20/200 in each eye. After the exam, I witnessed her seeing clearly for the first time. Her reaction? An ear-to-ear smile.

Events, Media & Communications

21st Century Fox Celebrates 'Pitch' by Partnering with Women's Sports Foundation to Expand Girls' Access to Sports

Aug 29, 2016 10:00 PM ET

Ginny Baker, the fictional first female player in major league baseball, will make her way to television this fall on FOX's newest drama Pitch, and to celebrate her inspirational story, 21st Century Fox has announced a new partnership with the Women's Sports Foundation (WSF) to help break barriers for girls in their own communities and take their athletic achievements to new heights.

Education

CSR Certificate Program - 2 Day Fall Offering by Rutgers Institute for Ethical Leadership & Governance & Accountability Institute

Aug 29, 2016 5:15 PM ET

Environment

Asbestos May Become One of Ten Chemicals Reviewed Under the New TSCA This Year

Aug 29, 2016 4:05 PM ET

Since the reform of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) was passed by the Senate and signed into law two months ago, the EPA has received mounting pressure to deliver on promised regulatory improvements and demonstrate their commitment to the spirit of the new law. Industry stakeholders should ensure they are informed about the results of chemical evaluations under the new TSCA law, especially since chemicals that failed to be regulated previously could now become banned. Asbestos, a proven carcinogen, may be one of the first on that list as growing public awareness and civic pressure push the EPA to take action.

Energy

Avista Receives Grant to Pilot a Shared Energy Economy Model

Aug 29, 2016 4:00 PM ET

Recently, Avista was awarded a grant from the Washington Department of Commerce and Governor Jay Inslee’s Clean Energy Fund 2 to demonstrate how a Shared Energy Economy can benefit Washington energy consumers. The grant is the latest example of Avista’s 127-year history of innovation and positions the utility for the energy future.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Petfinder Celebrates 20th Anniversary, 25 Million Pet Adoptions with Video that can Unlock $200,000 Donation Benefitting 20 Shelters/Rescues

Aug 29, 2016 3:10 PM ET

Education

Detroit Basketball Player Andre Drummond Joined JetBlue in Detroit for its ‘Soar With Reading’ Initiative

Aug 29, 2016 3:00 PM ET

Last year, JetBlue launched an online #BookBattle competition as part of its award-winning Soar with Reading program. The airline asked crewmembers and the public which community -- Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Los Angeles or New York City -- should get 100,000 new children's books from JetBlue in 2016. Nearly 1.3 million online votes were cast and Detroit triumphed with 48 percent of the vote.

Sustainable Finance & Socially Responsible Investment

Wells Fargo Donates $500,000 for Phoenix-Area Revitalization Efforts

Aug 29, 2016 3:00 PM ET

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) today announced a total of $500,000 in donations for seven local nonprofits will help revitalize Maricopa County neighborhoods through the Wells Fargo NeighborhoodLIFT® program.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Atlas Copco's Community Engagement Project, Water for All, Turns 32!

Aug 29, 2016 2:05 PM ET

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

The UPS Foundation

Aug 29, 2016 2:00 PM ET

Innovation & Technology

As Seen on The Guardian: What Will the Highway of the Future Look Like?

Aug 29, 2016 1:25 PM ET

As technology for automated vehicles improves, there’s a sharper focus on building a ‘smarter’ infrastructure where they can thrive.

Energy

Sustainability in Action | Mocksville Efficiency in Manufacturing

Aug 29, 2016 1:05 PM ET

Ingersoll Rand’s Mocksville, North Carolina, manufacturing facility has enabled a 6 percent reduction of energy consumption in recent months.

Health & Healthcare

Anthem Blue Cross Partners With Community Organizations To Help Prevent Diabetes

Aug 29, 2016 12:05 PM ET

Working with community groups such as Black Women for Wellness and Valley Jewish Community Center as well as large, national organizations, Anthem Blue Cross has launched an ambitious diabetes prevention program to educate, treat and support its members who are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Join Keystone Human Services International in Building Inclusive Global Communities

Aug 29, 2016 11:50 AM ET

Keystone Human Services International is part of an ongoing global effort to create a society where people with disabilities receive appropriate support and have the same opportunities and support as everyone else. Join us as change agents and support our work to make the world a safer, more inviting place for all people.

Education

What's Trending in Back-to-School Cause Marketing

Aug 29, 2016 11:35 AM ET

Parents, teachers and communities are going to great lengths to increase attendance and create a vibrant learning environment for kids heading back to the classroom, from a 4th-grade teacher's viral "welcome back" rap video, to an Arizona mayor going door-to-door to urge high school dropouts to re-enroll. And companies are joining in as well, lending their unique tools and assets to help kids grow and learn both in and outside of school. Here's a sampling of back-to-school cause marketing campaigns that caught our eye:

Social Impact & Volunteering

Giving Back the Aimia Way to Create Real Social Value

Aug 29, 2016 11:15 AM ET

Innovation & Technology

Qualcomm Invests in a Sustainable Future [Video]

Aug 29, 2016 11:15 AM ET

The Internet of Things (IoT) narrative has evolved drastically over the past two years, and today we have even more opportunity to redefine what’s possible with connectivity to make cities, cars, homes and devices smarter and more sustainable. At Qualcomm, we take pride in innovating for the greater good, and are excited about the opportunity to help shape the narrative about the role of IoT in enabling economic development and smart urban infrastructure.

Responsible Business & Employee Engagement

The Personal is Professional: BSR Conference Brand Camp

Aug 29, 2016 11:00 AM ET

We are certainly living in interesting times. Who would have imagined that a social media platform once widely (and unfairly) derided as a way for the bored to update the bored on their daily minutiae would make front-page coverage in major media outlets—and be considered a huge influence in a presidential campaign?

Research, Reports & Publications

Caterpillar: Work That Matters

Aug 29, 2016 11:00 AM ET

2015 was a year of innovation and encouraging all Caterpillar employees to band together and share ideas, big and small, to drive efficiency.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Arby’s Kicks Off 2016 National Restaurant Fundraiser to Help End Childhood Hunger in America

Aug 29, 2016 11:00 AM ET

Childhood hunger lives in communities large and small across the country, with no regard for geographic or demographic boundaries. In an effort to raise awareness to this issue and help end childhood hunger in America, Arby’s® restaurants are teaming up with their guests to make a difference. Starting today through Oct. 9, 2016, the Brand is hosting the 2016 Arby’s Foundation National Restaurant Fundraiser, where guests can make in-restaurant donations to support the Arby’s Foundation and its mission to end childhood hunger in partnership with No Kid Hungry.

Diversity & Inclusion

Surprise--You are the New Plant Safety Person! Now What?

Aug 29, 2016 10:45 AM ET

Much to your surprise, you have suddenly become the new plant safety person. And on top of that, you have little or no background in safety! Unfortunately with downsizing/right-sizing and budget cuts, this kind of move has become increasingly common at the plant level, despite the importance of EHS to the operation.

Instead of thinking you were in the wrong place at the right time, think of this as an opportunity—as actually being in the right place at the right time. Rather than feeling overwhelmed with your new job title and associated tasks, you can start working your way towards becoming a well-informed, knowledgeable safety person by following some simple steps.

Social Impact & Volunteering

5 Strategies to Convince Your Boss to Send You to VM Summit 16

Aug 29, 2016 10:10 AM ET

Since you realize that VM Summit 16 is the place to collaborate with other employee volunteer program managers (as well as with volunteer managers from nonprofits), you know you’ll leave having learned a thing or two, like how to create the most impactful partnerships possible. Knowing all of this, perhaps you still lack internal support from your company to get you to VM Summit 16. That’s why we’re sharing 5 strategies to convince your boss, or the person who makes conference decisions at your company, to send you to VM Summit 16.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Meet Minsi Tails Council/Boy Scouts of America - 2016 Pocono Mountains Community Fundraiser Winner

Aug 29, 2016 10:10 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.

Environment

Sappi’s Key Performance Indicators: Water

Aug 29, 2016 10:00 AM ET

All pulp and paper mills in North America use and treat water in accordance with comprehensive environmental permits. Our North American mills use only surface water sources (rivers and lakes) and return treated water to the same primary source.

Diversity & Inclusion

Two HP Directors Land Savoy’s Power 300 List

Aug 29, 2016 9:40 AM ET

At a time when racial divisions in the U.S. – and other parts of the world – seem to be more prevalent, HP is quietly taking pride in the work that it’s doing to bring about change. For a company the size of HP, one of the areas where it can have the biggest impact is in its hiring practices – from entry-level positions to the executive ranks.