Social Responsibility: Page 6


  • People shop at a Lowe's store in Brooklyn on February 27, 2024 in New York City.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Lowe’s demolishes its DEI programming

    Reports indicate that Lowe’s looked into changing its talent strategy following the Supreme Court’s 2023 college admissions decision.

    By Caroline Colvin • Sept. 3, 2024
  • Jack Daniel's whiskey bottles displayed on shelf
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    ‘New dynamics at play’: Jack Daniel’s maker ends DEI initiatives

    Brown-Forman Corp. cited a shifting legal and external landscape for its decision, as one prominent anti-DEI activist claimed credit for putting pressure on the company.

    By Ryan Golden • Aug. 29, 2024
  • A closeup of a Shein sign directing people around its distribution center. The Shein building is seen in the background, with an American flag.
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    jetcityimage via Getty Images
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    Shein reports 2 cases of child labor in its supply chain

    The fast fashion giant discovered the cases last year, and suspended orders from the manufacturers pending “appropriate remediation.”

    By Laurel Deppen • Aug. 26, 2024
  • A man walks into a BlackRock office building.
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    Andrew Burton via Getty Images
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    BlackRock’s support for E+S proposals whittles away in 2024 proxy season

    The nation’s largest investment manager noted a rise in shareholder proposals focused on environmental and social matters and  anti-ESG filings.

    By Aug. 22, 2024
  • corporate activism backlash, Tom Lin, Temple Univ.
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    Andrew Burton via Getty Images
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    How to build social activism into your governance structure

    Companies don’t have to retreat from activism to avoid backlash if they align their values with their business in a way that makes sense, a law professor says.

    By Robert Freedman • Aug. 21, 2024
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    baona via Getty Images
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    DEI job postings are down. Why do these roles lack longevity?

    Diversity departments are vulnerable to trends, but HR pros can reconfigure their approach.

    By Caroline Colvin • Aug. 15, 2024
  • Colleagues at business meeting in conference room.
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    FangXiaNuo via Getty Images
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    Anti-ESG proposals drove the increase in ESG proxy submissions: Morningstar

    “For the first time, the growth in new resolutions was dominated by proposals from ‘anti-ESG’ filers,” per Morningstar Sustainalytics’ director of stewardship research and policy.

    By Aug. 13, 2024
  • SEB vs. Wells Fargo, DEI hiring
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Wells Fargo faces lawsuit for alleged sham DEI hiring effort

    The bank is said to have interviewed diverse candidates for jobs that were already filled or for which they weren’t qualified to polish its DEI credentials.

    By Robert Freedman • Aug. 6, 2024
  • Ingredients in peril due to climate change

    As global temperatures shift and weather events devastate agricultural land, some ingredients and crops are in jeopardy. One expert shares advice.

    By Elizabeth Flood • Aug. 5, 2024
  • A building facade with the Microsoft logo and it's night time
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    Jeenah Moon via Getty Images
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    Amid DEI cuts, Microsoft works to distinguish itself from those responding to ‘woke’ backlash

    While some companies axed DEI roles due to “woke” backlash, the motivations of other companies may be more nuanced.

    By Caroline Colvin • July 29, 2024
  • Mukhtar Babayev, COP29 President-Designate, speaks on stage.
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    Sean Gallup via Getty Images
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    COP29

    COP29 president lays out climate action priorities ahead of summit

    Azerbaijan’s Mukhtar Babayev said he’s committed to boosting climate finance and finalizing the implementation of the Paris Agreement’s Article 6 at this year’s summit.

    By July 23, 2024
  • Latin American businessman talking to a group of coworkers in a business meeting at the office
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    Hispanolistic via Getty Images
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    Bias in hiring, performance evaluations can derail corporate DEI goals

    The Conference Board’s “Bias Interrupters” framework offers a way to foster inclusion and control for legal risk.

    By Carolyn Crist • July 23, 2024
  • A storefront with riding mowers, wheelbarrows and other garden equipment out front.
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    Courtesy of Tractor Supply
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    Deep Dive

    Tractor Supply retreats on DEI, climate after ‘anti-woke’ backlash. Now the real fallout begins.

    The retailer's pullback of its corporate diversity and climate efforts could alienate some customers, employees and investors.

    By Daphne Howland • July 15, 2024
  • Silver Chevy Volt electric vehicles and Opel Amperas come off an assembly line.
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    Bill Pugliano via Getty Images
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    GM shareholders vote down 3 ethical supply chain proposals

    Responding to the proposals, the automaker defended its existing practices for supplier agreements and operational policies.

    By Kelly Stroh • July 15, 2024
  • KPMG accounting logo
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    Sean Gallup via Getty Images
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    Sustainability is a key factor in improved financial performance: KPMG

    Indicators like lower carbon dioxide emissions, land environmental impact reduction and business ethics policies are linked to increased gross profit margin, per a study of 2,617 companies.

    By Suman Bhattacharyya • July 11, 2024
  • Young Happy Businesswoman Using Laptop Computer in Modern Office with Colleagues with VFX Hologram Edit Visualizing Stock Exchange Interface, Opened Charts.
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    gorodenkoff via Getty Images
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    Generative AI gains foothold in ESG landscape

    The increased use of artificial intelligence in ESG, beyond reporting, was on display at the Amazon Web Services conference last week.

    By Updated July 8, 2024
  • Heavy smoke clouds of carbon emissions spew from three cylindrical columns rising from a factory in the background, partly obscured by trees, with the roof of a house barely visible in the foreground.
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    Mark Wilson via Getty Images
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    Supreme Court blocks enforcement of EPA’s ‘good neighbor’ rule

    The 5-4 decision was criticized by clean energy advocates who said the court failed to address the “public health harm that occurs during the pendency of the stay granted.”

    By Robert Walton • June 28, 2024
  • Nestlé's new Sustainably Sourced chocolate brand.
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    Courtesy of Nestlé
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    Nestlé introduces sustainably sourced chocolate brand

    The confectionery offering, which uses cocoa certified by the Rainforest Alliance, will be available in airports around the world.

    By Christopher Doering • June 25, 2024
  • funding contest open only to Black women is likely discriminatory, says 11th Circuit
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    gorodenkoff via Getty Images
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    11th Cir. deals another blow to corporate DEI programs

    The federal appellate court ruled 2-1 that a competition designed to award grants to businesses owned by Black women likely violates federal civil rights law. 

    By David Weisenfeld • June 21, 2024
  • Light through the Pride flag turns the street many colors.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Morningstar index targets LGBTQ+ inclusive companies

    “As LGBTQ+ identities become more ubiquitous, inclusive investing will continue to develop,” the firm said in an accompanying paper.

    By June 21, 2024
  • A container ship sits docked at the Port of Oakland on June 07, 2023.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Q&A

    How Supplier.io’s collaboration with CDP boosts supply chain transparency

    Supplier.io CEO Aylin Basom said clients were asking the supply chain diversity and ESG data company for additional insights, which led the company to pursue the partnership.

    By June 17, 2024
  • The hands of a person of color can be seen typing on a laptop.
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    Christina Morillo | Pexels

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    DEI success ultimately stems from strong CEO leadership, survey indicates

    While acknowledging the increased pushback regarding DEI programs, Black executives noted the importance of sustaining their initiatives.

    By Carolyn Crist • June 17, 2024
  • Hershey's chocolate bars are shown on July 16, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Hershey ramps up renewable energy sourcing to slash emissions

    The chocolate manufacturer increased its procurement of electricity from green sources to 80% in 2023, up from 77% in 2022 — a rise it attributed to PPAs and clean energy credits.

    By June 14, 2024
  • A group of people in masks stand outside a government building, holding signs in support of affirmative action.
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    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
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    DEI backlash won’t halt workplace initiatives, most leaders say

    Nearly all leaders said they believe DEI is important for its positive impact on recruiting, hiring and retention, a survey finds.

    By Carolyn Crist • June 12, 2024
  • Street signs for the intersection of Wall St. and Broad St., with the stripes of an American flag in the background.
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    Michael Santiago/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    SEC asks organizations to complete diversity self-assessment

    The agency said it will use the voluntary disclosures from its regulated firms to identify any trends and progress on diversity-related activities.

    By June 10, 2024