Here is today’s sustainability news, research and analysis for technology partners; renewable energy and green IT service providers; Today's sustainability news also involves management consultants; CIOs; chief sustainability officers (CSOs), c-suite members and climate accounting professionals.
A. Sustainable Technology, Talent, Partnerships and Green IT Alliances
1. Carbon Credit Debate: Some SBTi employees & advisors are demanding CEO & board changes after the sustainability organization previewed a plan to recognize carbon credits.
2. Right to Repair - Apple iPhones: Apple has opened its iPhone repair process to include used components, TechCrunch reported. Starting sometime in the second half of 2024, customers and independent repair shops will be able to fix the smartphone using compatible components, the report said.
3. Software Update: CarbonChain has released CarbonChain Comply software updates. The enhancements, purpose-built for energy and metals supply chains, focus on three areas:
- Carbon Reporting Hub allows customers to "manage every mandatory and voluntary reporting requirement in one place."
- CBAM Compliance allows customers to address European Union (EU) Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) reporting requirements with a new set of features for aluminum, steel, iron and fertilizer importers.
- Supplier Engagement Module allows customers to exchange data with suppliers via a dedicated supplier page and set of streamlined workflows.
4. Recycling: Staples will broaden its existing Recycling Services program with long-time partner ERI to now include rechargeable and single-use alkaline batteries.
5. Partnership: The Green Software Foundation (GSF) and SustainableIT.org are partnering to "empower technology leaders in accelerating their business sustainability transformation." The effort will span joint research, co-hosted industry forums, and the development of new tools.
6. Cloud Migration - Energy Management Software: Schneider Electric has leveraged CAST Highlight to migrate major applications to Microsoft Azure. The migrations involved software from Schneider Electectric's ETAP energy management software division.
7. Data Centers - Renewable Energy: Digital Power Optimization, a developer and operator of green data centers, has partnered with Schneider Electric to "design, construct, and deploy modular AI data centers behind the meter at multiple Texas wind farms," the companies said.
8. Data Centers - Vietnam: Viettel has opened a large data center in Hanoi, Vietnam. Featuring 60,000 servers and 2,400 racks, Viettel says the data center will leverage renewable energy to meet 30% of its electricity consumption needs.
9. Research - 5G and Sustainability: Enterprises plan to leverage 5G networks, the Internet of Things (IoT) and connected devices as part of an overall sustainability strategy, Cradlepoint survey results suggested.
B. Sustainability M&A, Investments, Funding and Green IT Business Launches
1. Venture Capital: Toyota Ventures has launched Toyota Ventures Climate Fund II (TVCF II), a $150 million fund focused on climate solutions.
2. M&A - Buildings and Engineering: Legence, backed by Blackstone, has acquired P2S Inc., an engineering and construction management firm with a strong footprint in Seattle, Washington. The deal reinforces Legence as "the premier provider of high performance, low-emissions buildings nationwide," the buyer asserted. 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. COP29: Israel's COP29 national coordinator Carmela Shamir has visited Azerbaijan as part of early-stage planning for COP29, Azernews reported.
2. United States - Building Decarbonization Program: Multiple companies and nonprofit green banks are partnering to promote Building Decarbonization In-A-Box (BDAB) across several U.S. cities. Participants include UtilityAPI, Allectrify, and Sustainable Real Estate Solutions (SRS) as well as Colorado Clean Energy Fund, Missouri Green Banc, Montgomery County Green Bank, and Philadelphia Green Capital Corporation.
3. United States - California Buildings: USGBC California has launched as an independent nonprofit to help promote sustainable building design, construction and operations across the state.
D. Sustainability and Green Technology Conference Calendar
- BFA Sustainability Summit (April 14, Birmingham, United Kingdom)
- The World Future Energy Summit 2024 (April 16-18, UAE)
- Apidays Singapore 2024 (April 17-18, Signapore)
- Green IO Conference Singapore 2024 (April 18, Singapore)
- Sustainability Conference on Water as Sustenance (Stanford University, California)
- 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.
