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. Partnership - IT Services and Real Estate: NTT DATA and Mark Development have launched a pilot program focused smart solutions for sustainability living. The tech effort focuses on mixed-use communities that combine housing, retail, office and community uses
2. Partnership - Autonomous Buildings and AWS: BrainBox AI has joined the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Partner Network (APN). BrainBox's technology, aligned with HVAC systems allows building owners to reduce energy consumption and associated emissions. Related Podcast: BrainBox AI CEO Sam Ramadori describes building energy management (BEM) trends.
3. Partnership - Telecom Networks: Batelco, part of the technology-focused Beyon Group, is working with Ericsson to expand its sustainability initiatives and circular economy practices in Bahrain.
4. Partnership - Carbon Credits: Boston Consulting Group (BCG) plans to purchase 21,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) credits over three years from 1PointFive. The effort involves Direct Air Capture (DAC) CDR credits.
5. Google Right to Repair: Google reaffirmed its support for the Right to Repair movement by releasing a related white paper and endorsing proposed Oregon Right to Repair legislation that offers a compelling model for other states to follow, the company said.
7. CES 2024 - Google Solar Device:  Ambient Photonics and Google plan to launch a solar-powered device featuring Ambient’s bifacial solar cell technology, the companies said at the CES 2024 conference. Related: See more CES 2024 sustainability news here.
8. Consulting - Leadership: Carbon Trust has hired Chris Stark to succeed Tom Delay as CEO. Stark is known for his role as the UK Climate Change Committee (CCC) chief executive.
9. New ESG Business Unit: Apex Group has launched the Holtara -- a provider of ESG data and reporting solutions. The new business group leverages Apex Group's acquisition of MJ Hudson in 2023. The group is headed by Holtara Managing Director and the Group’s Head of ESG Product, Emma Bickerstaffe, reporting to Chris Mulhern, Chief Product and Technology Officer, Apex Group.
10. Missing Your ESG Goals?: If your business is at risk of missing its climate goals, then take these five corrective steps, according to executives from Latham & Watkins.
11. Financial Services: Barclays has formed an Energy Transition Group within its Corporate and Investment Bank. The goal: Provide strategic advice to clients as they explore potential energy transition opportunities, Barclays said. Mike Cormier will lead the group, reporting to Cathal Deasy and Taylor Wright, global co-heads of investment banking, and working in close partnership with Daniel Hanna, global head of sustainable finance, Barclays said.Â
12. COP29: Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev said it’s important for oil- and natural gas-exporting nations to host global climate talks, particularly as they are also seeking to develop clean-energy sources, Bloomberg reported.
13. Solar Power Management Milestone: Arcadia now manages 2 gigawatts (GW) of community solar capacity, the company said.
B. Sustainability M&A, Investments, Funding and Green IT Business Launches
1. Funding: NineDot Energy, a developer of community-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) in the New York City metropolitan area, has secured an additional $225 million equity capital commitment from Manulife Investment Management as well as Carlyle. Combined with other deals, NineDot has now secured a capital base of approximately $400 million, the company said. NineDot will leverage the financing to grow organically while also exploring potential acquisitions.
2. M&A - EV Charging Systems: Siemens AG has completed the acquisition of Heliox, a provider of DC fast charging solutions for eBus and eTruck fleets and passenger vehicles. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Heliox employs approximately 330 people. The M&A deal was announced in August 2023.
3. M&A - IT Asset Disposition (ITAD): Quantum Lifecycle Partners has acquired Paragon Bay Group Inc. of North Bay, Ontario. Paragon Bay brings operational expertise in product fulfillment, testing, in-warranty repair, asset recovery, and forward and reverse logistics services, for electronics OEMs in Canada, the buyer said. This is Quantum’s fourth acquisition since the business formed in 2019. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
4. M&A - Supply Chain and Sustainability Solutions: 3E has acquired ChemChain. Together, the companies will help customers to "accelerate global supply chain transparency and sustainability with a unique combination of technology and regulatory expertise," the firms said. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
5. M&A - Solar and Battery Storage Projects: Sterling Power Opportunities, a subsidiary of Galway Sustainable Capital, has acquired a majority interest in Forsite Renewables, a developer of solar and battery storage projects in Charlotte, North Carolina. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
6. M&A - Solar Financing: Sunstone Credit, Inc., a clean energy financing platform that helps businesses go solar, has acquired ORKA Finance, a technology-enabled commercial solar lender. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
7. Complete M&A List: Here's our database of all M&A deals involving sustainability, green IT and renewable energy buyers, sellers and investors.
C. Regional and Global Sustainability Policies and News
1. United States- Hawaii Energy Transition: Plus Power has activated its Kapolei Energy Storage facility on Oahu, Hawaii. The grid-scale battery energy storage will help transition the state's electric power from coal and oil to solar and wind, Plus Power said.
2. United Kingdom: UK Climate Change Committee Head Chris Stark will resign as the government struggles to put the country on a trajectory to reach a goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, Bloomberg reported.
3. China - Solar Panel Manufacturing: The world’s new renewable power capacity grew by 50% last year and should keep breaking records this decade on the back of a surge in cheaper solar panels, particularly in China, Bloomberg reported.
4. Persian Gulf: Oman unveiled a sustainable finance framework to help the Gulf country reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and attract environmental, social and governance (ESG) investors, Reuters reported.
D. Sustainability and Green Technology Conference Calendar
- European Chief Sustainability Awards (January 15, Davos, Switzerland)
- World Economic Forum 2024 Annual Meetings (January 15-19, Davos, Switzerland)
- Intersolar North America and Energy Storage North America 2024 (January 17-19, San Diego, California)
- CleanTech Forum 2024 North America (January 22-24, San Diego, California)
- Recycling, Circular Design & Sustainable Sourcing for EV Batteries and Carbon Neutral Vehicles USA Conference 2024 (January 23-25, Detroit, Michigan)
- Complete Calendar of Sustainability Conferences
E. 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.
