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), c-suite members and climate accounting professionals.
A. Sustainable Technology, Talent, Partnerships and Green IT Alliances
1. Channel Chief: Locus Technologies, a provider of software solutions, has hired Dorian Bailey as director of alliances and customer success. She previously held key posts at the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, managing contracts encompassing various environmental services, sustainability initiatives, and regulatory compliance efforts.
2. Executive Leadership: Hitachi Energy has named Andreas Schierenbeck to succeed Claudio Facchin as CEO on July 1, 2024.
3. IT Services and Sustainability: Schneider Electric has introduced automated sustainability reporting features within its EcoStruxure IT data centre infrastructure management (DCIM) software.
4. Managed Carbon Reporting Service: Mitie has launched Emissions Intelligence -- a managed carbon reporting and reduction service. The service is designed to "empower organisations to be more confident in their emissions reporting and improve their efficiency, as well as increase the transparency of their progress towards net zero goals." The service blends Mitie’s built environment and energy management expertise with Salesforce’s Net Zero Cloud ESG management platform.
5. Software - Sustainability Reporting: EcoOnline, a SaaS technology company, has launched a Sustainability Reporting solution. This software enables organisations to calculate their greenhouse gas emissions, understand their climate impact, and comply with upcoming ESG and Sustainability legislation, EcoOnline said.  EcoOnline has also developed a Sustainability Navigator, which guides companies through various legislation that pertains to their businesses.
6. Partner Program - PCs, Printers and More: HP on May 1 (2024) will extend its partner sustainability assessment and training initiative -- known as HP Amplify Impact -- to Distribution Partners and nearly 50 countries. The program, launched in 2021, has equipped over 40% of Amplify partners with the knowledge and tools needed to champion positive change, the company said.
7. Partnership - EV Charging: Toyota and Lexus drivers can leverage certain utility programs designed to reduce the cost of charging for EV customers, while helping utilities ensure grid reliability and accelerate decarbonization. The effort involves a partnership between Toyota and EnergyHub.
8. Partner Program - SMB Sustainability: ClimeCo has launched its EcoCommitted Partner Program. The program offers small and midsize businesses (SMBs) an "accessible and affordable avenue to implement a sustainability strategy, reduce their carbon footprint, and exemplify environmental stewardship," the company said.
9. Partners of the Year: Schneider Electric announced its 2023 Global Alliance partner award winners.
10. Partnership - Green Buildings: The Mahindra Group and Johnson Controls announced a Net Zero Buildings Initiative to decarbonize India's commercial, urban residential and public buildings.
11. Sustainability Accelerator: IBM announced a new request for proposals from government and non-profit organizations for the IBM Sustainability Accelerator, focused on technology-driven projects to advance city resiliency.
12. Smart Phones: Fairphone has paused its smartphone subscription service...
13. Financial Services: RBC announced three ways it plans to accelerate the transition to a greener economy.
14. AI: ScaleWith is beta testing Social Impact Copilot, a generative AI product that seeks to assist enterprises with sustainability, CSR and social impact across all business functions.
B. Sustainability M&A, Investments, Funding and Green IT Business Launches
1. M&A Speculation: KKR is in talks to potentially acquire renewable-energy producer Encavis AG at a valuation of roughly €2 billion ($2.2 billion), Bloomberg reported. Encavis confirmed the discussions but did not mention a potential valuation.
2. M&A - Renewable Energy and Project Management: AFRY has acquired Carelin Oy, a provider of renewable energy project management services in Finland. Carelin Oy, founded in 2017, has approximately 40 people and reported net sales of SEK 60 million (US$5.84 million) in 2023.
3. M&A - Management Consulting and Energy Transitions: McKinsey & Company has acquired Strategic Estimating Systems (SES). The deal extends McKinsey's benchmarking capabilities in capital project management, including those related to energy transitions.
4. M&A - Energy Grid Management: Itron has acquired Elpis Squared, a provider of software and services for utility grid operations. Financial terms were not disclosed.
C. Sustainability and Green Technology Conference Calendar
- Future Leaders Climate Summit 2024 (March 9-11, Miami, Florida)
- Aspen Ideas: Climate 2024 (March 11-13, Miami, Florida)
- SAVe 2024: Global Conference Sustainability in AV (March 14-15, Los Angeles, California)
- Roth Conference 2024 (March 17-19, Dana Point, California)
- Environmental Justice and Sustainability Conference 2024 (March 18-19, Stanford University)
- Complete Calendar of Sustainability Conferences
D. Previous Updates & Future News
- Did You Miss Yesterday's Daily Update?: Here is our previous sustainability, green IT and renewable energy news for technology partners.
- Future Updates: If you have news to share then please email me the details.
