Month: June 2024

As previously seen on the CSRHub blog.

By Bahar Gidwani

ESG Analytics is an alternative data provider owned and operated by ExtractAlpha, a Hong Kong-based data company. ESG Analytics creates and tracks non-traditional sources to measure how companies, countries and investment funds are implementing ESG (environmental, social and governance) practices. Its dataset was created for investment uses out of its founders’ frustration with what they perceived to be the slow analysis, low quality, and inherent biases of other ESG rating systems.

CSRHub has integrated a number of ESG ratings sets that are based on natural language processing (NLP) into its consensus system. ESG Analytics’ scores have a lower correlation with CSRHub’s Overall Rating than most of these other systems.

See graph showing 9% correlation between ESG Analytics score and and CSRHub overall ratings.

The strongest connection appears to be with CSRHub’s Environment subscores. While the correlation shown below is only 6%, the connection between our systems has high significance (F score > 60). This suggests that the ESG Analytics score is at least influenced by consensus views.

See graph showing 6% correlation between ESG Analytics and and CSRHub environment scores.

We suspect that ESG Analytics is looking for (and finding) different signals than those identified by our other investor-facing sources. It is also focused on “real time” transmission of signals. CSRHub’s scores react more slowly as the consensus view it is reporting gradually shifts up and down.

We feel ESG Analytics offers yet another unique perspective we can integrate into CSRHub—that of the quantitative investor analyst community. We expect some of our clients to soon test combining ESG Analytics’ short-term signal with CSRHub’s longer-term lagging information.

Bahar Gidwani is CTO and Co-founder of CSRHub. He has built and run large technology-based businesses for many years. Bahar holds a CFA, worked on Wall Street with Kidder, Peabody, and with McKinsey & Co. Bahar has consulted to a number of major companies and currently serves on the board of several software and Web companies. He has an MBA from Harvard Business School and an undergraduate degree in physics and astronomy. He plays bridge, races sailboats, and is based in New York City.

About CSRHub

CSRHub offers the most comprehensive global set of Consensus ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) ratings, information, and tools. CSRHub’s business intelligence system measures the ESG business impact that drives corporate and investor sustainability decisions. Founded in 2007, CSRHub covers 55,000 public and private companies, and provides ESG performance scores on over 35,000 companies from 135 industries in 210 countries. Our Big Data platform uses algorithms to aggregate, normalize and weight ESG metrics from 933 sources to produce a strong consensus signal on corporate sustainability performance.

Space4All took center stage at the Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday, April 21, featuring a collaboration between Leidos, Darrell “Bubba” Wallace, Jr., 23XI Racing, and numerous aerospace organizations. NASCAR’s annual GEICO 500 infused a unique energy into this new national awareness campaign aimed at reaching audiences not traditionally associated with space and STEM.

Background: Space4All is a public-private partnership that aims to inspire, prepare, and employ an inclusive Space STEM workforce by sharing the excitement of space on a national scale, igniting interest in future careers in STEM and space, and revealing the many ways that space enhances our lives on Earth.

The campaign was first announced on April 8 when Vice President Kamala Harris issued a Call to Action to bring the benefits of space to communities across America.

With the United States facing a projected deficit of 3.5 million STEM workers by 2025, Space4All wants to spark widespread interest in space exploration and STEM career pathways across the nation.

Jonathan Pettus, Leidos senior vice president of aerospace systems, emphasized the critical need to address this challenge:

“Leidos is proud to contribute to the Space4All initiative, collaborating alongside our customers like the Air Force, Space Force, FAA, DoD STEM, NASA and other key organizations. Together, we are dedicated to addressing this gap by reinforcing the belief that careers in space and STEM are truly accessible to all.”

Press Conference: Pettus joined 23XI driver Bubba Wallace, retired NASA astronaut Leland Melvin, commercial astronaut Dr. Sian Proctor, and American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Vice President Brian Talbot, in a press conference, held prior to the GEICO 500, announcing the launch of the campaign.

The event was marked by Wallace, Melvin, and Proctor exchanging an astronaut helmet and racecar driver fire suits — an embodiment of the collaboration fueling the initiative. Additionally, the Space4All logo proudly adorned various elements of the race, including Bubba Wallace’s iconic number 23 Leidos Toyota Camry XSE.

RELATED READING: BUBBA WALLACE AND THE CHANGING FACE OF NASCAR

What’s Next: As a leading organization spearheading the initiative, AIAA aims to expand the campaign to even more communities in the coming months:

“Through the extraordinary partnership with Leidos, we’ve kicked off this awareness campaign making a meaningful connection with people of all walks of life so they can see themselves in space and STEM,” said Brian Talbot. “This is just the beginning, and we’re excited to expand the Space Champion network, adding more space companies and educational organizations to help shape how people can directly connect the benefits of space to our lives.”

For further details and to join the journey of discovery and innovation, visit Space4All.us.  

As we continue into the next chapter of the Un-carrier, we remain committed to using our network, scale, and resources for good while building a more connected, equitable, and sustainable future for all.

We set a bold, industry-leading net-zero goal, connected hundreds of thousands more students to the internet through Project 10Million, and invested hundreds of communities across the country through nonprofit partnerships, employee giving programs, and hiring initiatives. Our progress inspires us to do more, as we pursue our mission to be the best in the world at connecting customers to their world.

This means looking at how we can do better and where we can dream bigger to have a positive impact on people and the planet together. That’s why our strategic approach to corporate responsibility focuses on where we can drive the greatest impact and propel our business and communities forward through our operations, technology, and our people in the years to come.

Through our leading 5G network, we’re championing more affordable and accessible connectivity to empower as many people as possible to succeed in today’s digital world. We’re breaking down barriers to career opportunities and investing in initiatives to develop a dynamic and diverse employee base who are equipped with the skills to continue innovating and delivering the best experiences for our customers. We also actively look at where sustainable solutions can bring wins for our business, our customers, and the planet through our products and services. We focus on doing the right things, the right way to make an impact that makes a difference.

As we continue creating a connected world where everyone can thrive, our approach to corporate responsibility will grow and adapt in ways that match the evolution of our business and technologies, the needs of our customers and communities, and the expectations of stockholders and investors. Together, we can shape a new era of connectivity with purpose.

Learn more about our ESG approach and the progress we’ve made at 

www.t-mobile.com/responsibility/reporting.

Baker Tilly’s podcast series specifically for professionals in the multifamily housing industry.

On this episode of BuzzHouse, host Don Bernards sits down with Gina Ciganik, the CEO of Habitable to discuss the critical role of sustainable and healthy building practices in the housing industry. Diving into the environmental and health impacts of commonly used building materials, Gina shares insights from her organization’s research, emphasizing the shift from harmful products to more sustainable choices. Together, they explore the implications for affordable housing developments and the need for change to ensure a healthier future for our communities and the planet.  Press play and discover this informative and enlightening episode!

Special guest

Gina Ciganik | Habitable

Recognized nationally for her leadership in transforming human and environmental health, Gina’s strategic partnerships and innovative practices have reshaped housing standards across the affordable housing sector. With a proven track record of creating healthier spaces–including the groundbreaking 90-unit apartment building, The Rose–Gina’s leadership drives Habitable’s mission forward. She sees herself as a “dot-connector” and translator who amplifies the organization’s impact, fostering holistic solutions for planetary health. Determined, curious, and joyful, Gina is committed to creating healthier environments for communities worldwide.

Multifamily housing resources

For articles, webinars and additional resources for developers, housing authorities, property managers, state housing credit agencies and lenders, visit Baker Tilly’s multifamily housing page.

Yum! Brands

True’s story is part of the “What I’ve Learned” interview series, which features the stories of KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, The Habit Burger Grill and Yum! employees in their own words. 

Growing up along the Massachusetts coast, Emily True embraced nature and the outdoors, often spending her free time hiking trails or swimming at the beach, basking in the planet’s natural beauty. But it wasn’t until a school friend opened her eyes to environmental consciousness and how it can be cool to live an eco-friendly lifestyle that True began to embrace sustainability as a personal ethos.

This newfound perspective propelled True toward studying environmental science at the University of Massachusetts Boston, while also earning a minor in clean energy. After completing her studies, she explored careers, working in a series of impactful roles ranging from academic environmental initiatives to scientific water regulatory positions.

True’s path eventually led her to pursue a master’s degree in environmental management at Duke University, where her perspective on sustainability underwent a transformative shift. Encouraged by mentors to explore the intersection of business and environmental stewardship, she embarked on a journey to challenge conventional paradigms by advocating for sustainability within corporate landscapes.

It was this pursuit that eventually brought True to Pizza Hut, where she assumed the role of championing the brand’s global sustainability initiatives. Combining her expertise in environmental science with strategic business acumen, she has since played a role in elevating Pizza Hut’s commitment to sustainability with the brand’s Recipe for Good strategy, ushering in a new era of responsible corporate citizenship. As she continues this path, True remains committed to learning and evolving, recognizing that sustainability at its core includes corporate strategies and personal values and behaviors.

Here is what she has learned in her personal and professional sustainability journey in her own words.

Sustainability is Pizza Hut’s business imperative 

In my tenure at Pizza Hut, I’ve discovered the transformative potential of integrating sustainability into core business strategies. Businesses have a crucial role to play in driving environmental change, and sustainability should be a cornerstone of their operations. Normalizing corporate sustainability is essential because it shifts the narrative from sustainability being an option to it being a fundamental aspect of doing business responsibly.

I’ve witnessed firsthand with Pizza Hut how embedding sustainability into the fabric of a company’s identity can not only mitigate environmental impacts but also drive innovation, enhance brand reputation and foster long-term profitability.

Take, for example, Pizza Hut’s partnership with the Dairy Farmers of America, which is providing select farmers in the U.S. with technology and data to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions intensity from the milk used in the production of Pizza Hut’s cheese by 10% and revolutionize the environmental impact of the brand’s overall dairy production. Through this collaboration, Pizza Hut is not just reducing its environmental footprint but also driving innovation and enhancing its brand reputation. By aligning sustainability goals with overarching business objectives, companies can create a win-win scenario where environmental stewardship goes hand in hand with commercial success.

Personal sustainability is a powerful catalyst for collective change 

To be a role model for others, it is important for me to embrace a holistic approach to conservation and to align my personal behaviors with environmental values. I try to keep eco-conscious consumption habits at the forefront of my lifestyle, like composting and reducing my personal food waste, even experimenting with creating vegetable stock from leftover produce scraps. I’ve started a “broth bag” in my freezer for food scraps like onion peels, which you can then boil in water to make a homemade broth. It’s an easy solution to minimizing food waste and keeping consumable food out of our landfills.

Additionally, I find inspiration from initiatives like Pizza Hut’s food donation program Harvest, which has been donating surplus food from restaurants to food banks and other organizations since 1992. Our brand’s commitment to reducing food waste and supporting communities resonates with my own values of sustainability and social responsibility.

I often rely on public transportation in my home of Chicago, Illinois, to get around, and I choose not to own a car. I know public transportation isn’t always an option in other cities, so I often will encourage others to ride their bike or get some extra steps in by walking, if possible, to minimize their environmental footprint.

I also try to take proactive steps to offset my personal carbon emissions, like researching and contributing to carbon offset projects that fund environmental initiatives like including renewable energy development such as wind or solar farms and conservation efforts that protect ecosystems and biodiversity. My goal is to influence positive change and inspire others to join me in safeguarding the environment for future generations.

Harness collaboration for a greener future 

Throughout my career, I’ve come to appreciate the multifaceted nature of driving environmental change within a corporate context. While my personal values were shaped by my upbringing and influenced by my friend’s eco-conscious lifestyle, it’s within the professional realm that I’ve truly realized the collective impact we can achieve.

As I’ve navigated various roles and experiences, I’ve seen the importance of every individual’s contribution, regardless of their job title. From our frontline team members ensuring efficient resource usage in our restaurants brings a unique perspective and skill set to the table. It’s about fostering a culture where sustainability is weaved into every aspect of our operations, from procurement practices to community engagement initiatives.

My journey from skepticism about corporate sustainability to actively driving change within organizations has taught me that it is a collaborative effort. It’s about transcending organizational boundaries and working together toward a common goal. Through continuous learning, personal sustainability practices and advocacy efforts, I strive to inspire others to recognize the role they can play in building a more sustainable future for all.