Here is today’s sustainability news, research and analysis for technology partners; renewable energy and green IT service providers; management consultants; CIOs; chief sustainability officers (CSOs) and c-suite members.
A. Sustainable Technology, Talent, Partnerships and Green IT Alliances
1. Chief Sustainability Officer: Ahold Delhaize has named Alex Holt as chief sustainability officer and member of its executive committee, effective June 1, 2024.
2. Renewable Energy and IT Solutions: Google, ASM and HP have joined the Schneider Electric's Catalyze program, which aims to "accelerate access to renewable energy across the global semiconductor value chain and IT supply landscape," the companies disclosed.
3. Partnership - HVAC Systems: Budderfly and Fujitsu General America, Inc. (FGAI) are partnering to "develop and deploy high-efficiency energy technologies for mid-market businesses across the United States." In addition, Budderfly and FGAI will collaborate to "innovate further and develop on-site, cloud-based sensing and control technologies that will unlock end-to-end digital transformation for small- and medium-sized businesses."
4. Investment - Reuse: Caterpillar is investing in recycling technology developer Nth Cycle as part of a push to boost the reuse of metals used to make batteries and construction equipment.
5. Research - Employee Perspectives: Only 16% of employees say their organization currently has the knowledge, mindset and behaviors needed for a strong culture of sustainability, according to Gartner. This is despite 67% of employees rating sustainability-related issues as highly important, the research firm said.
6. Research - Energy Transition: Green energy will dominate global electricity generation by 2038, and make up 62% of the power mix by 2050, EY predicted.
7. Research - Wind Power Challenges, Progress: The global wind power sector will add less capacity in the next decade than previously expected due to financial trouble in the U.S. offshore wind industry and sluggish approval and project execution in China, consultancy Wood Mackenzie said, according to Reuters. Still, U.S. electricity generation from wind power is on course to surpass coal-fired electricity generation, potentially by 2026, as "wind supply growth expands at a record pace just as coal-fired generation is cut across the country," think tank Ember shows, according to Reuters.
8. Partnership - Mobile Tracking Devices: OnAsset Intelligence and Jiva Materials have co-developed a biodegradable mobile tracking device.Â
B. Sustainability M&A, Investments, Funding and Green IT Business Launches
1. M&A - ESG: Uniqus Consultech Inc. -- an ESG and accounting & reporting consulting company -- has acquired the global ESG business of Goodera. We'll share more details and perspectives soon.
2. M&A - Software: Francisco Partners has acquired sustainability specialist Blancco Technology Group for an equity valuation of approximately £175 million.
3. M&A - Wind Power: IPS, a provider of electromechanical and rotating equipment, as well as power management systems, has acquired Wind Solutions, according to North American Wind Power.
4. M&A - HVAC Systems: CoolSys -- a provider of sustainable refrigeration, HVAC, energy, and engineering solutions -- has acquired Georgia Air Solutions, a provider of commercial refrigeration and HVAC services.
C. Regional and Global Sustainability Policies and News
1. Virgin Islands - Solar Power: Honeywell will provide VIElectron its first installment of battery energy storage solutions (BESS) to six solar parks strategically positioned across the U.S. Virgin Islands. When completed, the solar array and BESS will "boost the islands' decarbonization efforts by fulfilling 30% of its energy consumption through renewable sources," Honeywell said.
2. United States - Detroit: itselectric, a Brooklyn-born electric vehicle (EV) curbside charging company, has announced multiple power initiatives within the city of Detroit.
3. United States - Hydrogen Policy: Plug Power (NASDAQ:PLUG) closed -11.6% and FuelCell Energy (FCEL) -7.9% in December 5 trading after a leaked draft of Treasury Department rules for hydrogen tax credits in the Biden administration's climate law prompted warnings that the requirements may severely hamper the young industry, SeekingAlpha reported.
D. Sustainability and Green Technology Conference Calendar
- COP28 (November 30-December 12, UAE)
- CSR and Sustainability Summit MOZ (December 6-7, Mozambique)
- Sustainable Agriculture Summit 2023 (December 6-7, Charlotte, North Carolina)
- European Chief Sustainability Awards (January 15, Davos)
- Intersolar North America and Energy Storage North America 2024 (January 17-19, San Diego, California)
- Complete Calendar of Sustainability Conferences
E. Previous Updates & Future News
1. Did You Miss Yesterday's Daily Update?: Here is our previous sustainability, green IT and renewable energy news for technology partners.
2. Future Updates: Send us your news tips. Please email me the details.
