Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced its commitment to water replenishment, aiming to return over 7 billion liters of water to local communities each year. This initiative is part of AWS’s broader efforts to address the growing water crisis and ensure access to clean water for future generations. The world is facing a water scarcity crisis, with global freshwater demand expected to exceed supply by 40% by 2030. While Amazon cannot solve this challenge alone, the company is dedicated to being a good water steward and contributing to positive change. AWS’s water replenishment projects focus on restoring watersheds and providing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene services to communities in need. These initiatives align with AWS’s goal of being water positive by 2030. “Amazon is committed to being a good water steward everywhere it operates,” said Kara Hurst, Amazon’s chief sustainability officer. “Doing our part to help address water scarcity is essential to overcoming health and economic risks for Amazon’s employees, customers, communities, and business. One of the ways AWS is innovating to help make a difference is by expanding on its water replenishment program to more places, which will return over 7 billion liters of water each year once all…
Google is dedicated to building a more sustainable future in Nebraska, focusing on clean energy, water stewardship, and climate-conscious cooling. The company has made significant strides in these areas, with several ongoing projects and collaborations in the state. Expanding Clean Energy Resources Google has partnered with Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) to pioneer a procurement framework that enables the supply of carbon-free energy (CFE) resources to OPPD. This framework allows Google to execute large-scale clean energy deals and share the cost savings and benefits with OPPD’s customer base, increasing access to clean energy capacity for all Nebraskans. A key project under this framework is the Pierce County Energy Center, a 420-megawatt solar system and a 680MWh battery energy storage system. This project is expected to come online in 2027 and will support Google’s 24/7 CFE goal and OPPD’s clean energy ambitions. Additionally, Google will share the clean energy capacity attributes with OPPD for the benefit of all energy customers in the region. “This partnership is a big step forward in our continuing work to add 3,200 megawatts of power by the end of the decade, with most of the energy coming from renewable energy sources.”-Javier Fernandez, OPPD President and CEO…
HEINEKEN, a global leader in the brewing industry, has taken another significant step towards achieving its Net Zero goals by signing three new partnerships. Arcadis, NIRAS, and Royal HaskoningDHV will join HEINEKEN’s Integrated Net Zero Production program, bringing their technical expertise to support the company’s ambition to reach net zero in scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030. HEINEKEN’s strategy to reduce emissions focuses on reducing energy demand at production and logistics sites and transitioning to renewable energy sources. By collaborating with these partners, HEINEKEN aims to implement specialized technology and energy solutions at over 40 sites, which could contribute to a 30% reduction in scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030. -Magne Setnes, Chief Supply Chain Officer of HEINEKEN “Our partners bring us expertise in their field, knowledge of the best available technology solutions and an outside-in view of the problems we are trying to solve – skills that are paramount to helping HEINEKEN achieve our ambition. Reaching Net Zero in Scope 1 & 2 by 2030 cannot be accomplished in isolation. Collaboration with experts like Arcadis, NIRAS and Royal Haskoning DHV is essential to reach this milestone at the speed and scale we need.” The Integrated Net Zero…
ROSHN, a leading real estate developer in Saudi Arabia, has officially inaugurated its Green Initiative Center (RGIC). This center will serve as a hub for promoting vegetation growth, restoring the country’s natural environment, and fostering a sustainable lifestyle. Located in SEDRA, one of ROSHN’s flagship developments, the RGIC will offer schools, organizations, and the public a platform to explore and contribute to sustainability initiatives. Through various programs and activities, the center aims to educate and inspire individuals to adopt environmentally friendly practices. During the RGIC opening, ROSHN signed four collaborations to strengthen its efforts toward promoting a circular economy, reducing carbon emissions, and supporting ecological regeneration. These partnerships will contribute to the overall goals of the Green Initiative Center. By establishing the Green Initiative Center, ROSHN is demonstrating its commitment to sustainability and its role in creating a greener and more sustainable future for Saudi Arabia. The center will play a vital role in promoting environmental awareness, fostering community engagement, and driving positive change.
A significant boost has been given to the UK’s electric vehicle industry with the announcement of £88 million in joint government and industry funding for 46 innovative projects. This investment aims to accelerate the nation’s transition to net zero emissions. Minister for Industry and Decarbonisation Sarah Jones visited Surrey to unveil the funding, which will support the development of cutting-edge electric vehicles, including trucks for the NHS and Royal Mail, e-motorcycles, and wireless charging solutions. This investment is expected to create thousands of green jobs across the UK. Among the successful projects are Protean Electric and Gordon Murray Group, both of which received £22.5 million in total funding. Protean Electric is working on new power-electronics products, while Gordon Murray Group is developing an ultra-lightweight vehicle platform. These technologies are crucial for the UK’s transition to zero-emission vehicles. Minister for Industry and Decarbonisation Sarah Jones said: Labour is committed to boosting the jewel in the crown of our manufacturing base – the automotive industry. Working in partnership with industry this funding will drive innovation and propel the development of next generation zero emission vehicle technologies. From Royal Mail trucks delivering our post, to cleaner, greener bus journeys, this funding will back…
Invert Inc., a leading carbon reduction and removal company, and The Earth Lab (TEL), a prominent Mexican carbon project developer, have announced the successful first issuance of removal-focused Climate Reserve Tonnes from their Improved Forest Management (IFM) projects in the Yucatan Peninsula. The Bonos Laguna Síjil Noh-Há project, a collaboration between Invert, TEL, and the local ejido community, has been verified under the Climate Action Reserve’s Mexico Forest Protocol. This achievement validates the project’s effectiveness in preserving and enhancing forest carbon stocks through sustainable practices. By preventing deforestation, promoting reforestation, and fostering biodiversity, these projects are significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing carbon sequestration in the Yucatan region. The first issuance from this project brings over 380,000 high-quality, North American IFM Removal Tonnes to market. Beyond environmental benefits, the projects are also contributing to local economic development and community well-being. By working closely with ejido communities, Invert and TEL have ensured that local knowledge and needs are integrated into the project design. This collaboration has led to enhanced forest stewardship, knowledge transfer, and a new income stream for partner ejidos. “Our partnership with The Earth Lab and the ejido communities has been essential to the success of these projects…
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research – Crops Research Institute (CSIR-CRI) has embarked on a significant soil mapping initiative under the Agroecology and Circular Economy for Ecosystem Services (ACE4ES) project. This initiative aims to promote sustainable agricultural practices and strengthen ecosystem services across several African countries, including Ghana, Nigeria, Benin, and Tanzania. Led by experts in soil science, agronomy, and GIS technology, the soil mapping exercise will gather crucial information about soil characteristics across diverse agro-ecological zones. This data will inform the implementation of agroecological methods, such as crop diversification, composting, and biochar application, to improve soil fertility, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance climate resilience. The ACE4ES project prioritizes reducing Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (SLCPs), including methane and black carbon, in agriculture. Soil mapping plays a pivotal role in this effort by providing a comprehensive understanding of soil properties. This information enables the team to recommend targeted agroecological practices that enhance soil health, crop yields, and environmental sustainability. Dr. Kwaku Onwona-Hwesofour Asante, lead scientist of the ACE4ES project, stressed the importance of the initiative, stating, “This soil mapping exercise will offer us precise, location-specific data, enabling us to tailor agroecological practices for different regions. It’s crucial for improving soil…
AiDash, a provider of satellite-powered AI solutions for climate resilience and sustainability in critical infrastructure industries, announced a significant expansion into Australia and New Zealand. This move comes in response to growing demand for innovative solutions to address climate-related challenges in the region. The company has appointed Daniel Dickman as its on-the-ground Director for Australia and New Zealand. Dickman will lead a dedicated local support team to deliver AiDash’s Intelligent Vegetation Management System™ (IVMS™) and Climate Risk Intelligence System™ (CRIS™) to utility companies across the region. AiDash’s solutions address the urgent need for climate resilience in Australia and New Zealand, which have been impacted by severe weather events like bushfires and cyclones. These events have highlighted the limitations of traditional infrastructure management practices. “Utilities in the region have recognized that existing practices are no longer sustainable due to the unprecedented challenges posed by climate change. They are turning to AiDash for satellite and AI technology to enhance reliability, boost operational efficiency, minimize damage to critical infrastructure, and save people’s lives,” said Abhishek Vinod Singh, CEO and Co-founder of AiDash. “The enthusiasm and commitment to leverage our satellite-first products from organizations across Australia and New Zealand has been tremendous. This is…
The Congolese Ministry of Forest Economy and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) have formally launched Africa’s first High Integrity Forest Investment Initiative (HIFOR) project in Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park. HIFOR is a groundbreaking initiative designed to address the lack of market-based finance for tropical forests that maintain high ecological integrity. These forests play a crucial role in climate regulation, biodiversity conservation, and supporting sustainable livelihoods. The project, launched on August 30, aims to generate HIFOR units, representing one hectare of well-conserved high integrity tropical forest. These units can be sold to generate revenue for forest conservation and support sustainable development in the region. Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park, a key biodiversity area, is the first site in Africa to be recognized for its ecological integrity and selected for the HIFOR pilot project. The park covers over 0.4 million hectares of high-integrity tropical forest and has absorbed an estimated 11 million tons of CO2 over the past decade. “This project marks a significant step in developing innovative financial mechanisms to protect our forests and ecosystems,” commented Forest Economy Minister Rosalie Matondo at the launch ceremony. HIFOR complements existing financing instruments by offering a non-compensatory tradeable asset that cannot be used for offsetting purposes. The…
Honeywell Automation India Limited (HAIL) has successfully commissioned a microgrid Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) for the Solar Energy Corporation of India’s (SECI) Lakshadweep Islands project. This marks a significant step towards decarbonizing the energy supply of these remote islands. Honeywell’s BESS technology, integrated into the microgrid of Kavaratti Island, supports SECI’s initiative to use renewable power to meet the energy needs of Lakshadweep. The BESS includes a complete end-to-end solution that controls automation, safety, and efficiency aspects, enabling remote operations for battery modules and grid management systems. For the Lakshadweep project, Honeywell is providing its Energy Management System (EMS)/Microgrid controller, Power Plant Controller, and a range of BESS subsystems. These technologies help manage the distribution of renewable energy and ensure efficient grid operation. “We are committed to supporting India’s energy transition and energy self-reliance initiative by driving constant technology and software innovation to participate in the country’s Net Zero 2070 goal. To get there, new power/energy sources will be required, including renewables. Honeywell’s BESS technology is one of the fundamental enablers of this transition. The integration of our BESS technology into the Lakshadweep microgrid system is a positive step forward in this journey, and we are proud to play…
