Here is today’s sustainability news, research and analysis for technology partners, management consultants, CIOs, chief sustainability officers (CSOs) and c-suite members.
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A. Sustainable Technology, Talent, Partnerships and Alliances
1. Corporate Sustainability Reports Database: Our database tracking corporate sustainability reports and associated net-zero goals GHG emissions goals now spans 225 companies and organizations. Today's additions include Samsung Electronics, Fannie Mae, energy distributor Superior Plus, and Tamarack Valley Energy.
2. Salesforce - ESG Reporting Software: Salesforce has introduced the SASB Report Builder for Net Zero Cloud. The new feature "feature empowers organizations to automate the disclosure of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) data in alignment with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Foundation’s SASB Standards," the company said.
3. ESG and Conversational AI: OpenESG has launched ChatESG -- a conversational AI platform that leverages a sustainability database of public companies, SMEs and regulations.
4. Microsoft Inspire 2023: The Microsoft Inspire 2023 worldwide partner conference will feature multiple sustainability discussions, the software giant said.
5. Tesla NACS - EV Charging Standard Pushback: A group of EV charger makers and operators is pushing back against Texas' plan to mandate the inclusion of Tesla NACS technology in charging stations, saying it is "premature," according to a document seen by Reuters.
6. Talent - Sustainability Consulting: RSMÂ has hired BDO veteran Catherine Bell as a partner in its Climate Change & Sustainability Services practice out of Perth, Australia.
7. Talent - Electric Vehicles: Rivian Automotive has hired Meta veteran Sarah O’Brien as its chief communications officer. O’Brien reports directly to Rivian Founder and CEO RJ Scaringe.
8. Talent - Financial Services: FTI Consulting has hired Wendy Dobson as a senior managing director within the financial services practice of the firm’s Strategic Communications segment. Dobson, based in London, will lead FTI's efforts to assist banks, asset managers and insurers on the development and implementation of their ESG, sustainability and climate strategies.
9. Talent - Fossil Fuels and Renewable Energy: Shell's European renewable power boss Thomas Brostrom has decided to leave the company amid the oil company's decision focus more investment into fossil fuels, Bloomberg reported. Brostrom was executive VP of global renewable generation, according to his LinkedIn bio.
B. Sustainability M&A, Investments and Funding
1. M&A - Sustainability Consulting: Rennie has acquired Conversio. The deal essentially expands Rennie's reach and expertise as a sustainability consultancy in Australia.
2. M&A: Global Investment firm Carlyle has acquired Anthesis, a pure-play sustainability advisory and solutions firm. Financial terms were not disclosed.
3. All M&A Activity: Our M&A database has now tracked 89 mergers and acquisitions involving sustainability so far in 2023. See all M&A deals involving sustainability listed here.
4. Funding Declines: Climate tech-related funding was $13.1 billion in the first half of 2023, down 40% compared to the corresponding period in 2022, according to a report from Climate Tech VC (CTVC).
5. Jeff Bezos Sustainability Grant: The Bezos Earth Fund has awarded $50 million in grants to support conservation and sustainable development in the Amazon.
C. Regional and Global Sustainability Policies and News
1. United States - Texas: The electric power grid in Texas, which collapsed dramatically in a February 2021 winter storm, is being tested again as the second-biggest US state suffered unusually hot early summer weather, Bloomberg notes.
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