All articles tagged with #corporate responsibility
Barack Obama criticized institutions and companies that compromised their principles during the Trump administration, emphasizing the importance of standing up for convictions, especially regarding diversity initiatives and academic independence, while acknowledging the personal and institutional costs of integrity.
The article argues that the era of corporate social responsibility is over, highlighting how major companies like Ben & Jerry's are silencing their activism due to political pressures and corporate interests, exemplified by conflicts with Unilever and the broader trend of corporations avoiding controversial issues amid rising authoritarianism.
JPMorgan knowingly continued banking Jeffrey Epstein, despite internal concerns and evidence of his criminal activities, due to the lucrative nature of his accounts and personal relationships with top executives, including Jes Staley, highlighting issues of corporate responsibility and incentives in banking.
The article discusses Coca-Cola's involvement in efforts to improve public health in America, highlighting the company's role in initiatives aimed at making the country healthier.
President Trump announced that major food companies are pledging to eliminate artificial colors and harmful ingredients from their products, including ice cream, cereals, snacks, and fast food, as part of a broader effort to improve public health and food safety.
Alan G. Hassenfeld, former CEO and chairman of Hasbro and a dedicated philanthropist advocating for children's health and education, has died at 76. He led Hasbro through significant growth and international expansion, promoted ethical sourcing in the toy industry, and supported numerous charitable initiatives, including founding the Hasbro Children’s Hospital and the Hassenfeld Child Health Innovation Institute.
The recent shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has sparked widespread criticism of the insurance industry, highlighting issues of corporate greed and denied claims. While many have condemned the violence, the incident has also intensified public scrutiny and dissatisfaction with corporate practices in the healthcare sector.
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom has pledged to implement new measures and work with the NAACP to rebuild trust after eight Black passengers were wrongly removed from a flight due to a complaint about body odor. The incident led to a lawsuit and widespread outrage, prompting the airline to hold those involved accountable and update its procedures for handling discrimination allegations. A settlement of the lawsuit is reportedly in the works.
Current and former OpenAI employees have issued a public letter warning that the company is prioritizing profits over responsible AI development, urging for more transparency and stronger protections for whistleblowers. This comes after OpenAI disbanded its team focused on long-term AI risks, leading to the resignation of two key leaders. The employees argue that OpenAI, initially founded as a nonprofit to counter big tech, is now operating similarly to profit-driven tech giants, pushing out AI products too quickly without adequate societal readiness. The letter highlights real risks such as deepfakes and misinformation, which they believe OpenAI is not sufficiently addressing.
Janet Yellen has cautioned companies against relying on carbon credits as a primary strategy for addressing climate change, emphasizing the need for more direct actions to reduce carbon emissions.
ExxonMobil is suing investors who repeatedly file shareholder proposals urging the company to reduce pollution and address climate change, claiming that the investors are abusing the system. The lawsuit reflects growing tensions between corporations and activist investors pushing for stronger climate action. While ExxonMobil insists the case is not about climate change, critics argue that it's part of a broader effort to limit shareholder activism on social and environmental issues. The lawsuit comes amid increasing pressure on companies to take more aggressive climate strategies as global temperatures continue to rise, and as corporations face lawsuits from states and municipalities over their contributions to climate change.
Greenpeace CTO Priscilla Chomba-Kinywa emphasizes the urgent need for the tech industry to prioritize environmental care, citing the climate crisis and the detrimental impact of current platforms. She urges investment in green, ethical, and value-based alternatives, applauds companies taking action, and stresses the importance of data-driven pressure to drive change. Additionally, she advocates for collaboration with affected communities and emphasizes the need to consider the environmental cost of AI in discussions about its potential benefits.
The European Union has delayed a decision on a proposed law that would require large companies to assess if their supply chains involve forced labor or environmental harm, as Germany and Italy indicated they would abstain from voting. The law needs a "qualified majority" of 15 EU countries representing 65% of the EU population to proceed to a final vote in the European Parliament. Germany's pro-business Free Democrats opposed the law, citing concerns about excessive bureaucracy, while their coalition partners, the Social Democrats and the Greens, supported it. The law, aimed at promoting corporate responsibility, is now set to be rescheduled for further discussion.
The Associated Press investigation reveals that U.S. prison labor supports a wide range of popular food brands, with goods produced by incarcerated individuals ending up in the supply chains of products from major companies like Coca-Cola, McDonald's, and Walmart. The investigation highlights the disproportionate impact on people of color, the legal and historical context of prison labor, and the involvement of large corporations and commodity traders. While some companies have acknowledged and are addressing their connections to prison labor, critics emphasize the need for fair compensation, humane treatment, and voluntary work for incarcerated individuals.
An investigation by The Associated Press has revealed that goods produced by U.S. prisoners are making their way into the supply chains of popular food brands, with people of color disproportionately affected. The use of prison labor, which is legal under the 13th Amendment, extends to a wide range of businesses, including giants like McDonald’s, Walmart, and Costco. While some companies have acknowledged connections to prison labor and are taking steps to address the issue, others have not responded to inquiries. Corrections officials argue that prison jobs provide valuable skills and a sense of purpose, but critics emphasize the need for fair compensation, humane treatment, and voluntary work.