Here is today’s sustainable IT services and climate tech news, research and analysis -- written for technology partners, green IT service providers, CIOs, chief sustainability officers (CSOs) and climate accounting professionals.
A. Sustainable IT, Talent, Partnerships and Green Tech Alliances
1. Executive Leadership - IT Asset Disposition (ITAD): illumynt, a CNE Direct company that offers ITAD services, has promoted Jörg Herbarth to chief operating officer (COO). A few months ago, Illumynt founder Paul Knight in September 2024 returned as CEO of the ITAD service provider,
2. Partnership - Carbon Credits and Software: The International Carbon Registry (ICR) and Klappir are partnering to integrate ICR's portfolio of carbon credits into Klappir's software platform. The result: Users can "buy and offset their GHG emissions" through Klappir's marketplace, the organizations said.
3. Training Services: Deloitte, in collaboration with the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA), has launched the Green Skills for a Green Economy program. The training program, available in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) "is designed to drive forward a fair transition to a green economy." Participants include students, lecturers, entrepreneurs, charity staff and other professionals of which the majority reside in the United Arab Emirates, Deloitte said.
4. Professional Services - Built Environments: WSP Global plans to launch its 2025-2027 Global Strategic Action Plan on February 12, 2025. We'll be watching to see if or how the plan promotes sustainability consulting service.
5. Partnership - EV Charging Network Updates: AmpUp and Tritium are partnering "to modernize and enhance DC fast-charging infrastructure across North America," the two companies said.
6. Partnership - EV Charger Network Management: Schneider Electric and The Mobility House Solutions are partnering to "jointly roll out and sell EV load management and smart charging and energy solutions," the two companies said.
7. Partnership - AI And Content: Google and the Associated Press have signed a deal to boost AP results in Google's Gemini app, Seeking Alpha reported.
8. Google, Microsoft Adjust AI Pricing Strategies: Google has scrapped its $20 per month add-on fee for AI features across its Workspace products, SeekingAlpha noted. Subscribers of Workspace Business and Enterprise plans will now receive Gemini features at no extra charge, the report noted, based on a Google blog. Meanwhile, Microsoft has relaunched its free Copilot for businesses as Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat -- which adds pay-as-you-go AI agents, SeekingAlpha reported.
9. Lawsuit Update vs. Perplexity AI: A judge cast doubt on Perplexity AI arguments that a Manhattan federal court lacks personal jurisdiction over the AI company in a copyright lawsuit brought by the publishers of the Wall Street Journal and New York Post, Bloomberg reported.
10. AI Chips and Quantum Computing: Nvidia's annual GTC event will include Quantum Day -- a first-ever for the conference. The conference runs March 17-21 in San Jose, California.
B. Sustainability M&A, Climate Tech Investments, Funding and Green IT Business Launches
1. Accelerator: HP in January 2025 opened applications for the Digital Equity Accelerator. Qualified organizations in Greece, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Spain are invited to apply until February 12, 2025. Selected nonprofit organizations will receive US$100,000 in HP Foundation grants, HP technology (roughly US$100,000 value), and six-months of programmatic support to scale digital equity solutions.
2. VC Spin-Off: Intel plans to spin off its global venture capital arm -- known as Intel Capital -- into a standalone fund. Intel will remain an anchor investor in the new company. Intel Capital, established in 1991, has over $5 billion in assets under management. Some of the investments investments and portfolio companies involve sustainable IT and circular economy startups. The spin-off comes as parent Intel seeks a new CEO and a strategy to stabilize its business.
3. Financing - EV Charger Network: Austin Energy received a $15 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to expand the city's electric vehicle (EV) charging networks while advancing the city’s sustainability and mobility goals. With an additional $3.75 million in local matching funds, the total investment involves $18.75 million over the next five years.
4. M&A - Solar Energy: Octopus Energy has acquired solar power specialist OX2 France from OX2 AB. OX2 France specializes in agrivoltaics, which combines solar energy generation with agriculture to maximize land use and boost biodiversity. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Octopus Energy previously acquired wind farm projects from OX2 in Sweden.
5. M&A - Cloud Cost Management Software: Flexera has acquired Spot -- a cloud cost management and sustainable IT software platform -- from NetApp. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. NetApp has owned Spot since July 2020.
6. M&A - Residential Energy Management Services: ABB has acquired Lumin to expand its home energy management capabilities in North America. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. ABB previously invested in Lumin in 2023.
C. Regional and Global Sustainability Policies and News
Nothing to share here today. Check back tomorrow.
D. Sustainable IT and Green Technology Conference Calendar
- Davos 2025 -- World Economic Forum 2025 annual meeting (January 20-24, Switzerland)
- Sustainable Foods Summit 2025 (January 22-23, San Francisco, California)
- Global Conference on Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Sustainability (GCEIS) 2025 (January 24-26, Vancouver, Canada)
- Cleantech Forum North America 2025 (January 27-29 in San Diego, California)
- Seminole Tribe of Florida Renewable Energy and Sustainability Conference 2025 (January 27-29, Hollywood, Florida)
- Complete Calendar of Sustainability Conferences
E. Previous Updates & Future News
Did You Miss Yesterday's Daily Update?: Here is our previous sustainable IT, climate tech and renewable energy news for technology partners.
Future Updates: If you have news to share then please email me the details.
