Here is today’s sustainable IT services and climate tech news, research and analysis -- written for technology partners, green IT service providers, CIOs, chief sustainability officers (CSOs) and climate accounting professionals.
A. Sustainable IT, Talent, Partnerships and Green Tech Alliances
1. Partnership - AI Data Centers: Nordik Data Centers and GenerIA area partnering to "provides organizations with a sovereign, secure, and eco-responsible alternative for developing and hosting their artificial intelligence solutions," the two companies said.
2. Partnership - Solar Panel Reseller: Wolf River Electric has agreed to resell solar panels from Maxeon Solar Technologies.  Wolf River Electric specializes in "clean, reliable, and cost-effective solar solutions" to communities in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota, and South Dakota, the firm said.
3. Apple - DEI Efforts:  Apple's board of directors recommended investors vote against a shareholder proposal to abolish the company's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, Reuters reported, based on a proxy filing from the company.
4. Amazon - DEI Pushback: Amazon.com is ending some of its diversity and inclusion programs, the company said in a December 2024 memo to employees seen by Reuters.
5. Executive Leadership - Consulting: Brunswick Group has hired Julia Giannini as a partner based in London. Giannini will advise Brunswick’s Sustainable Business clients on societal and environmental issues they are facing. She previously was group head of environment and climate action at Bupa.
6. Executive Leadership - Energy Utility: Duke Energy will promote President Harry Sideris to succeed Lynn Good as CEO in April 2025. Good is set to retire at that time.
B. Sustainability M&A, Climate Tech Investments, Funding and Green IT Business Launches
1. IT Services IPO?: NTT Data has hired Bank of America and UBS  to work on a $1 billion data centre real estate investment trust (REIT) listing in Singapore, Reuters reports. The listing, which sources said was likely to take place in the second half of 2025, could help spur IPO activity in Singapore, Reuters said. NTT Data maintains a major focus on sustainable IT services.
2. M&A - Environmental Consulting Services: ERM is acquiring the environmental division of NewFields Companies. The deal enhances ERM's "ability to help clients manage liabilities and risks across North America and globally," the buyer said. The acquired business unit employs roughly 110 experts in strategic consultancy, site investigation, and remediation practices. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
3. M&A - Environmental Monitoring Services: Kongsberg Discovery has acquired underwater sensor specialist Naxys Technologies AS. The acquired business specializes in underwater environmental monitoring -- essentially recognizing the sound of oil and gas leaks, Maritime Executive reported.
C. Regional and Global Sustainability Policies and News
1. United States - Trump Hiring Environmental Consultant?: President-elect Donald Trump said he will create an environmental advisory group led by his former environmental consultant, The Hill reported. Ed Russo, will lead the Environmental Advisory Task Force, Trump said. While Trump says he prioritizes clean air and clean water, he also downplays and often questions climate change.
D. Sustainable IT and Green Technology Conference Calendar
- Sustainable and Impact Investments International Conference 2025Â (January 14-15, Dublin, Ireland)
- World Future Energy Summit 2025Â (January 14-16, Abu Dhabi)
- Davos 2025Â --Â World Economic Forum 2025Â annual meeting (January 20-24, Switzerland)
- Sustainable Foods Summit 2025Â (January 22-23, San Francisco, California)
- Cleantech Forum North America 2025Â (January 27-29 in San Diego, California)
- Complete Calendar of Sustainability Conferences
E. Previous Updates & Future News
