Tag: 3BL

CALGARY, Alberta, December 13, 2023 /3BL/ – Benevity, Inc., the leading provider of global corporate purpose software, announced that $150 million was donated through its platform on GivingTuesday. This marks another record-breaking year of giving, representing a 22% year-over-year increase and the highest amount of single-day donations ever on Benevity’s platform. 

“We are inspired that companies and their employees showed up in droves to drive incredible impact on GivingTuesday, despite a year of ongoing inflation and an uncertain economic landscape” – Kelly Schmitt, Benevity CEO

“We are inspired that companies and their employees showed up in droves to drive incredible impact on GivingTuesday, despite a year of ongoing inflation and an uncertain economic landscape,” said Kelly Schmitt, CEO of Benevity. “A number of major global events have galvanized individuals and companies to donate their time and money to important social issues this year. The continued increase in giving demonstrates the ongoing commitment organizations have to making a positive impact on the world, and we’re proud to be a part of that.”

This year, 620 companies took part in GivingTuesday campaigns through Benevity’s platform, an increase of almost 10% year over year. The average donation per person was up by 7% compared to last year and Benevity saw a 14% increase in the number of people participating, with 159,000 individuals supporting over 53,000 nonprofits in 118 countries and territories. The most popular causes that companies and individuals contributed to this year include Rocky Mountain Institute, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, World Central Kitchen and Palestine Children’s Relief Fund.

In addition to employee donations supported by company matching programs, over 253,000 volunteer hours were logged – an increase of 14% over 2022. Corporate granting also saw an uptick this year with companies committing over $12M in corporate granting funds to over 200 causes on GivingTuesday.

Overall, giving in the United States alone totaled $3.1 billion this year, according to GivingTuesday, a 0.6% increase from 2022.

“GivingTuesday continues to be a unifying force as companies and their people rally around the causes they care most about” – Sona Khosla, Benevity CIO

“This year was marked by an increasingly challenging social climate for companies as they balanced taking action on societal matters employees care about while also trying to avoid backlash for veering into polarizing issues. However, GivingTuesday continues to be a unifying force as companies and their people rally around the causes they care most about,” said Sona Khosla, Chief Impact Officer at Benevity. “This year’s GivingTuesday results remind us that companies and employees remain committed to doing good and that this one day should be used as a spark to ignite ongoing action in the year ahead.”

To learn more about Benevity and its approach to corporate purpose, please visit: https://benevity.com/.

About Benevity 
Benevity, a certified B Corporation, is the leader in global corporate purpose software, providing the only integrated suite of community investment and employee, customer and nonprofit engagement solutions. Recognized as one of Fortune’s Impact 20, Benevity offers cloud solutions that power purpose for many iconic brands in ways that better attract, retain and engage today’s diverse workforce, embed social action into their customer experiences and positively impact their communities. With software that is available in 22 languages, Benevity has processed more than $14 billion in donations and 72 million hours of volunteering time to support 450,000 nonprofits worldwide. The company’s solutions have also facilitated 1.1 million micro-actions and awarded 1.2 million grants worth $19 billion. For more information, visit benevity.com.

Media Contact: 
Zamira Tasneem | Media & Communications Manager | 1.416.451.6511 | press@benevity.com

Originally published on Principal.com

DES MOINES, Iowa, December 12, 2023 /3BL/ — Principal Asset ManagementSM, the global investments business for Principal Financial Group®, announced today it has been named a Best Place to Work in Money Management among the largest employers by Pensions & Investments. This is the 12th consecutive year Principal has been recognized as a best place to work, earning the recognition every year since the inception of the program.

“We’re honored to be recognized on the list of Best Places to Work in Money Management for a twelfth consecutive year, highlighting our commitment to the employee experience,” said Pat Halter, president, Principal Asset Management. “Workplace expectations are continually evolving, and our consistent recognition is a testament to the work of our employees and leaders to create a positive culture. Without it, we would not be able to deliver results on behalf of our clients.”

With approximately $506.9 billion in total assets under management1, Principal Asset Management is the 27th largest manager of institutional assets3 in the world of those profiled by Pensions & Investments.

Presented by Pensions & Investments, the annual survey and recognition program is dedicated to identifying and recognizing the best employers in the money management industry. Pensions & Investments partnered with Best Companies Group, a research firm specializing in identifying great places to work, to conduct a two-part survey process of employers and their employees.

The first part consisted of evaluating each nominated company’s workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems, and demographics. This part of the process was worth approximately 25% of the total evaluation. The second part consisted of an employee survey to measure the employee experience. This part of the process was worth approximately 75% of the total evaluation. The combined scores determined the top companies.

For a complete list of the 2023 Pensions & Investments’ Best Places to Work in Money Management winners and profiles of the top 100 firms across size categories, go to www.pionline.com/BPTW2023

About Principal Asset ManagementSM

With public and private market capabilities across all asset classes, Principal Asset Management and its investment specialists look at asset management through a different lens, creating solutions to help deliver client investment objectives. By applying local insights with global perspectives, Principal Asset Management identifies distinct and compelling investment opportunities for more than 1,100 institutional clients in over 80 markets.1Principal Asset Management is the global investment solutions business for Principal Financial Group® (Nasdaq: PFG), managing $506.9 billion in assets1 and recognized as a “Best Places to Work in Money Management”2 for 12 consecutive years.

1As of September 30, 2023

2Pensions & Investments, “The Best Places to Work in Money Management”, December 12, 2023

3“Largest Money Managers,” Pensions & Investments (June 2023). 27th out of 444 managers profiled. Assets as of December 31, 2022.

© 2023 Principal Financial Services, Inc. Principal®, Principal Financial Group®, and Principal and the logomark design are registered trademarks of Principal Financial Services, Inc., a Principal Financial Group company, in the United States and are trademarks and services marks of Principal Financial Services, Inc., in various countries around the world.

About Pensions & Investments

Pensions & Investments, owned by Crain Communications Inc., is the 50-year-old global news source of money management and institutional investing. P&I is written for executives at defined benefit and defined contribution retirement plans, endowments, foundations, and sovereign wealth funds, as well as those at investment management and other investment-related firms. Pensions & Investments provides timely and incisive coverage of events affecting the money management and retirement businesses. Visit us at www.pionline.com

Eric Zuazo, 515-878-0152, zuazo.eric@principal.com

Source: Principal Financial Group

CNH’s pioneering agricultural mechanisation academy in Somalia has successfully produced its first group of graduates.

The achievement is a significant step forward for the country’s agriculture, following decades of setbacks and severely challenging circumstances.

Forty young men and women celebrated their graduation on 8 October 2023 at a gala event held in Mogadishu, the Somalian capital. The event was attended by a host of local and international dignitaries.

The Academy for Sustainable Agri-Mechanization Training was established following a ground-breaking partnership between Case IH (a brand of CNH), its dealership Gaalooge Farming & Livestock Cooperative, and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). Graduates received diploma certificates, a set of tools, personal protective equipment and reference materials for their new vocation. Gaalooge also committed to providing apprenticeships and internships for new graduates. A private company, Gaalooge is the only Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) tractor and implement dealer in Somalia, with Case IH its primary partner for sales and support of tractors. The company is focused on developing skills and training in operating, servicing, repairing and maintaining machinery in a country still largely dependent on draft animals and muscle power for farm work.

The Academy provides social education and technical vocational skills to enable project beneficiaries and trainees to ultimately contribute to improved livelihoods and community development. They also provide relevant training to those from Somalia’s Bay, Bakool, and Lower Shabelle regions and beyond.

The Academy’s specialised training is part of a broader initiative by the Gaalooge Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) School aimed at improving the skills of rural agricultural communities, with special emphasis on women and families. The Gaalooge TVET School is jointly supported by UNIDO Somalia and Case IH, and is designed to create economic opportunities and jobs in the agriculture and agro-industrial sectors in the country’s South West State and Banaadir region.

This graduation is a testament to the success of the academy and to CNH’s commitment to educating and supporting local communities. CNH looks forward to continuing to unlock the potential of farmers around the globe.

December 12, 2023 /3BL/ – On the heels of COP28—a global convening of world leaders working to address the climate crisis—commercial fleet operators are urging the Environmental Protection Agency to finalize stringent greenhouse gas emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles as soon as possible.

In a letter sent to the EPA on Monday, members of the Corporate Electric Vehicle Alliance—a coalition of now 33 major U.S. companies representing more than $1.1 trillion in annual revenue and that own, lease or operate more than 2.5 million fleet vehicles in the U.S.—reiterated the need for strong standards to meet national climate and economic goals as well as their own corporate sustainability goals. They also highlighted the technical and economic feasibility of the widespread commercial fleet electrification that would result from strong standards.

Members of the Alliance include companies like Siemens, Verizon, Best Buy, and Ferguson. This is the second letter from the Alliance to the EPA urging passage of strong heavy-duty vehicle emissions standards that are aligned with California’s Advanced Clean Truck (ACT) rule. The letter once again emphasized the need for strong standards to set clear market expectations, safeguard public health, and ensure they as fleet operators can access the clean vehicles they need to achieve their sustainability and climate goals and reduce their high fuel and maintenance costs.

“At this critical time ahead of the standards being finalized, the Alliance is further weighing in to emphasize our support for strong ACT-alignment, and the technical and economic feasibility of widespread commercial fleet electrification that would result from strong standards,” they wrote in the letter.

The letter also underscored that the growing number of companies committed to transitioning to zero-emission trucks is a sign that zero-emission trucks are both operationally and financially viable options for a significant number of use cases. Furthermore, studies showing that the U.S. grid will be able to accommodate the relatively modest growth in national electricity generation from the transition to zero-emission trucks, another signal of the feasibility of these rules.

“Leading companies are embracing the transition to zero-emission vehicles to reduce their operating costs and meet climate goals. Market-enabling policies and regulations like the Phase 3 standards are critical to growing the market and expanding access to zero-emission models that will help businesses achieve their goals,” said Sara Forni, director of electric vehicles and the Corporate Electric Vehicle Alliance at Ceres said. “Strong standards help accelerate the economies of scale that drive down upfront costs and enable the successful electrification of commercial vehicles. The sooner manufacturers ramp up sales of clean trucks, the earlier fleet owners and operators will be able access the models that meet their needs and the earlier their customers, communities, and the economy will be able to reap the benefits.”

The Alliance also submitted a letter in June urging the EPA to align all vehicle standards with U.S. climate and public health goals to ensure a diverse supply of cost-competitive zero-emission vehicles to meet long-term corporate demand. Dozens of other companies have also offered their support for strong vehicle emissions standards in letters to the EPA and in private meetings with EPA officials, making the business case for vehicle standards that spur the transition to zero-emission trucks at the pace and scale necessary to meet the 2030 and 2050 U.S. climate commitments.

Alliance members operate more than 300,000 medium- and heavy-duty vehicles across the U.S. and plan to procure more than 60,000 zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles by 2026. While members are committed to electrifying their fleets, and new federal incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 have helped make zero-emission vehicles more affordable, they face a shared challenge of accessing zero-emission vehicle models that meet the unique needs of their businesses at scale. Strong standards would help to address that challenge.

About Ceres

Ceres is a nonprofit organization working with the most influential capital market leaders to solve the world’s greatest sustainability challenges. Through our powerful networks and global collaborations of investors, companies and nonprofits, we drive action and inspire equitable market-based and policy solutions throughout the economy to build a just and sustainable future. For more information, visit ceres.org and follow @CeresNews.

Media Contact: Helen Booth-Tobin, booth-tobin@ceres.org, 617-247-0700 ext. 214

MEMPHIS, Tenn., December 12, 2023 /3BL/ – International Paper is pleased to announce the appointment of Santiago Arbelaez as the Chairman of the Paper and Packaging Board (P+PB) Board of Directors. This leadership appointment was made by USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and marks a pivotal moment for the organization.

As the Chairman, Arbelaez will collaborate closely with the P+PB leadership team and the eight-member Board of Directors responsible for funding the Paper & Packaging – How Life Unfolds® campaign. The campaign is a national promotion program centered around sustainability within the paper and packaging sectors.

In addition to this appointment, Arbelaez will continue serving as the Vice President of Strategy for International Paper’s Industrial Packaging business, bringing a wealth of experience and strategic insight to his role as Chairman of the P+PB Board.

“Under Mary Anne Hansen’s leadership, the Paper and Packaging Board has succeeded in effectively telling our industry’s sustainability story across multiple segments. We look forward to further sharpening the uniqueness of our industry’s sustainability story while collaborating widely with other industry partners to drive greater awareness and reinforce the value and benefits of the Board,” said Arbelaez.

The appointed officers and board members for 2024 include:

Vice-Chair: Alpa Sutaria, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Sustainability, WestRockSecretary/Treasurer: Richard Bennett, Vice President of Paperboard Sales and Marketing, Pactiv EvergreenAn Boon, Vice President of Global Marketing, Graphic Packaging InternationalBeth Cormier, Vice President of Research, Development and Sustainability, SappiSteve Henry, CEO, DomtarTonie Meyers, Senior Vice President of Paperboard and Sheeting Operations, BillerudJuan Pablo Perez Chavez, CEO for North America, Smurfit Kappa

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About International Paper

International Paper (NYSE: IP) is a global producer of planet-friendly packaging, pulp, and other fiber-based products, and one of North America’s largest recyclers. Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., we employ approximately 39,000 colleagues globally who are committed to creating what’s next. We serve customers worldwide, with manufacturing operations in North America, Latin America, North Africa, and Europe. Net sales for 2022 were $21.2 billion. Additional information can be found by visiting internationalpaper.com.

Contacts:

Media: Amy Simpson, 901-419-4964 
Investors: Mark Nellessen, 901-419-1731 and Michele Vargas, 901-419-7287

Originally published in Dow’s 2022 INtersections Progress Report

We strive to provide Team Dow with flexible, inclusive benefits, policies and programs that drive engagement and cultivate a positive employee experience.

Providing Flexibility Through Design Your Day (DYD)

DYD encourages employees and leaders to collaborate on workplace plans that enable employees and workgroups to maximize their productivity and balance personal needs, while continuing to collaborate with colleagues and meet their job expectations.

Parental Leave Policy

Dow’s global parental leave policy provides a minimum of 16 weeks of paid time-off to all parents – birthing, non-birthing and adoptive, regardless of gender. This policy provides parents equal time away from work to bond with their child.

Family Caregiver Leave Policy

The family caregiver leave policy provides employees up to three weeks of paid time-off to care for family members who are sick or injured.

Volunteer and ERG Time-Off

Dow provides 12 hours paid time off annually to ensure every member of Team Dow – whether they work at a manufacturing site, in an office or in the field – is able to make a positive difference by volunteering and getting involved in one of Dow’s ERGs.

Dow’s parental leave policy gave me the opportunity to be present to see my daughter grow and change during the first four months of her life. My leader was very supportive of me utilizing all of the parental leave available. It benefited me personally, as it gave me time to adjust to this major life change without having to stress about work.

– Cody Ecker, Corporate Facilities Manager, U.S. Gulf Coast

Read more

Each year in early December, M·A·C Cosmetics corporate employees step away from their computers, and M·A·C Artists put down their makeup brushes, to give back to nonprofit organizations in honour of World AIDS Day (December 1st).

This year was the 15th year of the brand’s annual World AIDS Day Global Volunteer Initiative, where M·A·C employees around the world dedicate their time to volunteer with local VIVA GLAM grantee organizations. In New York City, M·A·C employees volunteered with the nonprofit God’s Love We Deliver, the only nonprofit organization in NYC that provides medically tailored meals and nutrition education and counseling to New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS, cancer, Alzheimer’s, COPD, and other severe and chronic illnesses. God’s Love We Deliver is one of M·A·C VIVA GLAM’s heritage grantees, meaning that M·A·C has been partnering with and donating to the nonprofit since VIVA GLAM was founded nearly 30 years ago.

This year, over 100 M·A·C Global and M·A·C North America employees volunteered their time in the kitchen at God’s Love, preparing and packing thousands of nutritious meals for New Yorkers who because of their illness, are unable to provide or prepare meals for themselves.

Since 1994, M∙A∙C has raised over $520 million dollars through the sale of VIVA GLAM lipsticks to support healthy futures and equal rights for all. Learn more about how M·A·C gives back 100% at M·A·C Cosmetics | VIVA GLAM (maccosmetics.com)

American Airlines inducted 100 of its top team members to the new Circle of Excellence at a recognition experience in Dallas-Fort Worth in November. Circle of Excellence honorees are team members with a career-long history of exemplary customer service, commitment to their teams and American’s operation. Formerly known as the Chairman’s Award, the Circle of Excellence was renamed in 2023 to purposefully put the focus on the recipient. The award continues to be the highest honor and gratitude awarded to American’s team members for their career achievements.

More than 1,600 peer nominations were submitted this year from around the world. A panel of former recipients reviews each submission and deliberates on the nominees in partnership with senior leaders in the organization, including CEO Robert Isom. This year’s honorees have a combined 2,543 years of service with American and its legacy carriers, and an average of 25 years of service. Honorees represent the vast global network American serves, living in Argentina, Australia, England, Israel, Mexico, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos and the United States.

Robert recognized these team members as dedicated leaders and problem solvers who have supported the company through the years and contributed to its successes today.

“Our Circle of Excellence honorees are the true power behind American’s success,” he said. “They repeatedly go beyond their responsibilities to take care of our team, customers and operation. We owe our honorees a great debt of gratitude for all the ways their talent and contributions have helped make American the greatest airline in the world.”

Winners represent workgroups throughout the airline, some working through unique crises, others dedicated to fostering a workplace of inclusivity, and some challenging the status quo to move across the airline career playground.

Leading through challenging times

Racheli Vardi, General Manager at Tel Aviv, Israel, restarted service to the airport during the COVID-19 pandemic, which presented a unique set of challenges. She was nominated for the Circle of Excellence by her peers and leadership team because of her unwavering commitment to maintaining a safe and sound operation in a turbulent region. Racheli is a servant leader, putting the team and customers before herself, especially in times of crises, and has worked diligently to lead a successful station.

“One of the key factors in running a reliable operation is to have a very good and established team,” said Racheli. “We are like a small, tight family. We care for the customers, the crews and we are very close with each other.”

In 2021, just a few days following the opening of the Tel Aviv station, Racheli and team moved swiftly to evacuate all crew, team members and customers following some attacks in the area.

“The geopolitical situation that we have in the country makes people very aware of safety and security,” said Racheli. “I also learned during my military service to lead by example. I felt a sense of responsibility not only to my team that is working with me, but also for the crews and other team members that remained in the country that are not used to all kinds of political conflicts and emergency situations. I felt responsible for them, for their well-being and safety.”

Racheli has repeatedly successfully evacuated customers, her team, team members visiting the country and crews.

“I have a lot of gratitude to American Airlines. I have a lot of gratitude and appreciation for my management, to the regional management, to the VP of International Operations and all the team that did an amazing job in supporting us, especially during recent events,” said Racheli.

Inspiring peers to pursue career dreams

Kevaughn Hammond, a New York-based first officer, started his career at American as an aviation maintenance technician while pursuing his requirements to serve as a military pilot. Kevaughn is passionate about aviation and has inspired many of his peers to pursue careers as pilots, and personally mentors them on their journeys.

“For every person interested in becoming a pilot, don’t be afraid of failure,” said Kevaughn, when asked what he tells mentees. “It’s a part of the journey. Always focus on your dreams. Write them down and hold yourself accountable.”

Kevaughn builds and maintains relationships with team members in all areas he’s supported. Nominated by an AMT he worked with at the start of his career, Kevaughn couldn’t believe his team put him up for the Circle of Excellence.

“I was astonished when I received the Circle of Excellence award. I didn’t expect it at all. I was just coming off of a flight and I was told by our director of flight in the Northeast that I was awarded it,” said Kevaughn. “It meant so much to me. That’s what American Airlines is all about. We’re all family and we all take care of each other.”

Celebrations honor Circle of Excellence winners with an unforgettable experience

In November, American treated its honorees and their guests to a two-day experience celebrating their achievements, including exclusive brunch and tour on the Robert L. Crandall Campus in Fort Worth, Texas, and ending with an evening gala at the Winspear Opera House in Dallas. Honorees receive a special pin, trophy and $10,000.

RALEIGH, N.C., December 12, 2023 /3BL/ – Building off of the introduction of Queen Latifah as its ambassador last year, Evolve Small – Lenovo’s initiative to champion and promote small businesses across North America – is now putting small businesses on big stages, with big talent to match. Lenovo’s Evolve Small initiative offers select small businesses the chance to promote their brands on billboards and social media platforms across the country featuring AI-customized ads with Queen Latifah herself. To ensure Queen Latifah’s marketing prowess is accessible to small businesses across North America, today Lenovo also launched a microsite for Evolve Small that helps owners to create and share customized marketing materials to promote their products and services.

“I’m excited to continue my partnership with Lenovo’s Evolve Small initiative for another year,” said Queen Latifah. “The opportunity to support small businesses in real time without navigating the challenge of being multiple places at once is truly amazing and I’m proud to be part of the work Lenovo has been doing to lift up women, and minority-owned, and businesses owned by people with disabilities.”

Gerald Youngblood, Chief Marketing Officer, Lenovo North America added, “As we continue to think through what entrepreneurs and business owners really need, it’s important that we create opportunities that have real impact on this community. That’s why this year Evolve Small is offering actual marketing execution – not just with a major star like Queen Latifah – but also with prime placement opportunities for small business owners to build awareness for their brands. Our efforts also include mental health support, grants, and the latest technology to ensure they can sustain their entrepreneurial goals.”

In partnership with AMD, Microsoft, and with entrepreneurship and community building non-profit, Goodie Nation, the initiative is rich with opportunities for small businesses beyond marketing awareness. With an ongoing focus on women-owned, minority-owned, and businesses owned by people with disabilities, Evolve Small continues to provide financial aid, technological resources, community support, and business mentorship. Lenovo has also partnered with CWC Coaching and Therapy, led by its founder, Chantel Cohen. Cohen, a licensed therapist, provides mental health services with a coaching lens to help her clients find prosperity in the broader sense of the word. In particular, she and her team help business founders alleviate the mental stresses that come with entrepreneurship while coaching for optimal leadership performance.

To date, Lenovo’s Evolve Small has provided over $2,000,000 worth of small business grants and technology donations to small businesses in the U.S. and Canada. This year, the Evolve Small initiative begins accepting submissions as of November 2nd, 2023. Sign up to participate and learn more about how Lenovo has been supporting small businesses at Lenovo.com/EvolveSmall. Visit LenovoFoundation.com to learn more about Lenovo’s global philanthropic efforts to empower underrepresented populations with access to technology and education.

About Lenovo

Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) is a US $62 billion revenue global technology powerhouse, ranked #217 in the Fortune Global 500, employing 77,000 people around the world, and serving millions of customers every day in 180 markets. Focused on a bold vision to deliver smarter technology for all, Lenovo has built on its success as the world’s largest PC company by further expanding into growth areas that fuel the advancement of ‘New IT’ technologies (client, edge, cloud, network, and intelligence) including server, storage, mobile, software, solutions, and services. This transformation together with Lenovo’s world-changing innovation is building a more inclusive, trustworthy, and smarter future for everyone, everywhere. To find out more visit https://www.lenovo.com, and read about the latest news via our StoryHub.

Investment to boost pioneering space technologies has been announced by the UK Space Agency, with the first wave of recipients unveiled.

The space experts will collaborate with global organisations to advance space capabilities through new tech innovation, thanks to the International Bilateral Fund (IBF). It will become the agency’s first fund wholly dedicated to international relationship building to advance the UK’s space goals.

With the involvement of 32 partnerships, the fund will enable organisations in the UK to connect with countries including the US, Canada, Australia, Japan, India, Singapore and South Africa to boost space research and new tech investment.

What type of space projects will receive the funding?

Some projects will focus on enhancing relationships to unlock future economic opportunities for the UK, while others will study science missions and technologies with strong commercial potential.

UK-based Vertical Future is leading one project that will see it join forces with Axiom Space, Saber Astronautics, Cambridge University and the University of Adelaide to kick-start the development of a revolutionary autonomous controlled environment for plant growth to support space missions.

The bilateral partnerships will not only bolster UK space sector capabilities by utilising global expertise, but they will ensure the UK, along with its world-leading scientists, will continue to play a key role in developing a diverse, collaborative global space sector that benefits the world for future generations.

Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, said: “Working with other space agencies and organisations across the globe through our International Bilateral Fund allows us to draw on skills that enhance our homegrown expertise and capabilities, drive up investment in the UK, and support world-class science and discovery.

“Projects such as these highlight the many ways in which we can collaborate with the global space community to help humanity push the boundaries of space innovation and unlock commercial opportunities that will benefit our economy now and in the future.”

Lizzie Kerr, Director of UKspace, said: “UKspace welcomes the announcement of the first projects funded under the UK Space Agency’s International Bilateral Fund. International collaboration underpins the success of the UK’s space sector – and this new programme is an important new route to unlock new international partnerships, benefitting companies overseas and here in the UK.”

The list of projects, each receiving up to £75,000, includes:

University of Surrey, University of Southampton, University of Portsmouth, Surrey Satellite Technology and Twin Paradox Labs x Office for Space Technology and Industry [OSTIn] (Singapore) for understanding satellite collaborations on air pollution monitoring and atmospheric weather forecastingStrathclyde University x University of Arizona and MIT (USA), University of Waterloo and Columbiad Launch Services Inc (Canada) for AI involving space safety and sustainabilityRolls-Royce x BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC (USA), for international collaboration on industrial research into novel space nuclear technology developmentFrontier Space Technologies Ltd x The Exploration Company (Germany) for in-orbit biopharma research and developmentSeraphim Space Camp Accelerator Ltd x Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd, Temasek Holdings, OSTIn, Enterprise Singapore and SG Innovate (Singapore) for Seraphim Space Accelerator’s expansion into AsiaTelespazio UK x Symbios Communications, National Physical Laboratory (Australia) for developing a new quality assurance platform for Earth Observation (EO) dataSurrey Satellite Technology Ltd, Assimila, RALSpace x CSIRO Space and Astronomy and Smartsat CRC (Australia) for creation of an integrated ground-to-space national water quality monitoring systemAssimila Biosecurity Ltd x Cervantes Agritech Pty Ltd and CABI (Australia) for using Earth Observation (EO), climate and weather data to predict and manage biosecurity risksThe Open University x Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona and Ball Aerospace and Technologies (USA) to use UK detector technology for future NASA high-resolution imaging of the Moon and Mars

If you work in the space-based green tech sector, we welcome your opinion and conversation surrounding this fresh funding. Investment and collaboration are the key drivers to innovations to protect the planet against the challenges it currently faces and we are excited to see the fruits of this fund’s labour.

About Acre

At Acre, we work with the most aspirational businesses with potential to make real change; from those who are just starting out to those who are well on the journey to crafting a legacy.

Our 18 years’ experience in sustainability recruitment, combined with our extensive global network, enables us to provide talent solutions that are designed to deliver this change.

Through our unique behavioural assessment technology, we understand the types of people, skills and behaviours required to create impact. We can develop these qualities within your existing teams too.

We find talented people and develop their skills to ensure they make a true impact in ambitious, progressive organisations.

Acre. Making companies ready for tomorrow.