Here is today’s sustainability news, research and analysis for technology partners; renewable energy and green IT service providers; Today's sustainability news also involvesmanagement consultants; CIOs; chief sustainability officers (CSOs), c-suite members and climate accounting professionals.
A. Sustainable Technology, Talent, Partnerships and Green IT Alliances
1. Training: RMIT University and Deloitte have launched an online training course titled Sustainability and Climate-Related Financial Reporting: ISSB, ASRS and beyond.
2. ESG Software: Watershed has launched Watershed for CSRD, a dedicated software solution for companies reporting under the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the company said.
3. Refurbished Chromebook Laptops: CTL, a technology company focused on schools and offices, has launched a refurbished Chromebook. Positioned for education, government, and enterprise use, CTL's refurbished Chromebooks "offer customers the ability to buy like-new performance Chromebooks at significant savings and, by giving these laptops a second life, simultaneously deliver a win for the environment," CTL said.
4. Laptop Recycling and Microsoft Surface Discounts: Microsoft, Junk Kouture, and Best Buy are partnering to promote laptop recycling. Participants can save $50 on a Microsoft Surface hardware purchase.
5. Partner Recognization: Zebra Technologies has launched a Sustainability Partner Recognition Program to "acknowledge channel partners who implement Zebra solutions to achieve sustainable outcomes," the company said. The new program is open to all Zebra PartnerConnect hardware and ISV partners globally.
6. Partner Program - GRC Software: Diligent has announced several new partners for its GRC (governance, risk and compliance) software. Many of the partners touted Diligent's software for ESG reporting and carbon reporting. The expanded partner lineup includes BraunWeiss, GrantThorton Singapore, Korea ESG Data, Nubiral, SalterBaxter, Solerte, and 38 North Security.
7. Partnership - Data Centers: Digital Realty's Paris 5 data center will leverage various Schneider Electric technology as part of an overall circular economy initiative.
8. Launch - Consulting Services: Sea Green veterans Fred Puckle Hobbs and Shreya Mallabadi have launched a sustainability communications consultancy called Tathva.
9. Carbon Reduction Goals: The carbon emissions reduction targets of a group of the biggest listed companies are too weak collectively, meaning they are failing to play their part in preventing the most devastating impacts of global warming, NewClimate Institute and Carbon Market Watch reported, according to Reuters.
10. AI Chips: Google is developing a new chip called Axion, The Wall Street Journal reported. The chip is designed to run AI workloads, while also reducing Google's dependence on Intel and Nvidia. Google will leverage the chip in its cloud data centers, but the search company has no plans to sell Axion to third parties. The report did not mention if or how Axion is designed to address AI power consumption and energy efficiency.
B. Sustainability M&A, Investments, Funding and Green IT Business Launches
1. M&A - Battery Technology: Advik of India has acquired Aceleron Energy, a UK-based developer of Li-ion batteries. The move extends Advik ibto the electric vehicle (EV) and energy storage system (ESS) sectors. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
2. M&A - IT Consulting Services: Accenture has acquired Axis Corp. of Spain. Accenture gains an IT consulting company with financial services and sustainability expertise. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
3. Complete M&A List: Here's our database of all M&A deals involving green IT and renewable energy buyers, sellers and investors.
C. Regional and Global Sustainability Policies and News
1. Europe - Nuclear Under Pressure: Surging renewables and a slump in power prices are undermining operations of nuclear power plants -- which are still the cornerstone of electricity grids in several parts of the continent, Bloomberg reported.
2. Greece - Climate Change: Greece is investing €2.1 billion ($2.27 billion) to protect the nation from natural disasters caused by climate change as wildfires are already breaking out ahead of fire season, which normally starts in May, Bloomberg reported.
3. Japan - Energy Policy: Japan will need new nuclear power plants to meet its 2050 net zero goal, according to nation’s main electricity utilities, Bloomberg reported.
4. China - Power Investments: China will offer projects funding of up to 100 million yuan ($13.8 million) in an effort to accelerate progress on emerging emissions reduction technologies, targeting sectors from steel to data centers, Bloomberg reported.
D. Sustainability and Green Technology Conference Calendar
- 2024 ReMade Circular Economy Tech Summit and Conference (April 10-11, Washington, D.C.)
- Energy Tech Summit 2024Â (April 10-11, Bilbao, Spain)
- Green Media Summit 2024 (April 11, New York)
- Earth Charter Conference 2024 (April 12-14, Winter Park, Florida)
- BFA Sustainability Summit (April 14, Birmingham, United Kingdom)
- 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.
