Tag: 3BL

AMSTERDAM, HONG KONG, and OAKLAND, Calif., November 7, 2024 /3BL/ – Today, in partnership with Worldly, Cascale launched the latest version of its Higg Facility Environmental Module (Higg FEM) to provide more precise and verified environmental data on the consumer goods manufacturing supply chain, as well as reduce reporting duplication for manufacturers, saving businesses valuable time and resources.

For over a decade, the Higg FEM tool has been a critical sustainability assessment for the consumer goods industry, allowing users to drive continuous improvement on environmental management practices, support legislative compliance and risk management practices, and collect impact data to track progress against reduction targets. Today, it is used by over 20,000 companies worldwide. Higg FEM is part of the Higg Index, which is developed and owned by global nonprofit alliance Cascale and exclusively available on Worldly, the industry’s leading sustainability data insights platform.

“The updates to Higg FEM 2024 are a direct response to the needs of our members and Higg Index community,” said Colin Browne, Cascale CEO. “Higg FEM 2024 embodies our unwavering dedication to providing the most credible, impactful data. By incorporating valuable insights from members and stakeholders, we’ve ensured that this latest version continues to set the standard for environmental assessments to drive meaningful change across the industry.”

Higg FEM 2024 now integrates Worldly’s Facility Data Manager (FDM). With FDM, facilities can track and share quantitative environmental metrics on a monthly basis and import that data into the Higg FEM on Worldly’s platform. This streamlines data collection for facilities and saves time in completing the annual Higg FEM assessment.

“At Worldly, we view Higg FEM 2024 as a pivotal advancement in measuring and driving environmental impact, enabling our customers to act faster with greater precision and high-quality primary data,” said Scott Raskin, CEO of Worldly. “The integration of Higg FEM with our Facility Data Manager provides manufacturers a distinct advantage by reducing friction in data capture throughout the year and seamlessly connecting with Higg FEM to minimize duplication of effort—a key goal. We are proud of our partnership with Cascale as we support both brands and manufacturers through streamlined data capture processes and actionable insights, driving progress toward sustainability goals and regulatory compliance.”

The Higg FEM 2024 update also expands the scope of verification to include waste impact metrics, in addition to the existing metrics on energy, GHG, water, wastewater and air emissions. Expanding the verification approach ensures that the data provided remains relevant and impactful.

This update reflects a collaborative effort, where Cascale engaged with over 85 leading brand and manufacturer members across 17 consultation sessions in 2024. With Higg FEM 2024, Cascale and Worldly underscore their commitment to innovation and continuous improvement with the Higg Index suite of tools, which are updated annually. To help Cascale members and Higg FEM users better understand the latest update and changes, Cascale and Worldly will co-host a Higg FEM 2024 Launch Webinar on November 14.

ABOUT CASCALE

Cascale is the global nonprofit alliance empowering collaboration to drive equitable and restorative business practices in the consumer goods industry. Formerly known as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Cascale owns and develops the Higg Index, which is exclusively available on Worldly, the leading sustainability data insights platform. Cascale unites over 300 retailers, brands, manufacturers, governments, academics, and NGO/nonprofit affiliates around the globe through one singular vision: To catalyze impact at scale and give back more than we take to the planet and its people.

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ABOUT WORLDLY

Worldly is the planet’s most comprehensive impact intelligence platform, trusted by 40,000+ major brands, retailers, and manufacturers in fashion, outdoor, home goods, toys, and more. Worldly uniquely collects high-resolution primary data specific to companies’ value chains, operations, and products, providing insight into true impacts across carbon, water, chemistry, and labor. Featuring the most comprehensive source of ESG data for global manufacturers and the largest library of materials and product impacts, Worldly empowers businesses to scale responsibility into their global operations, faster and more accurately. Hosting, connecting with, and supporting the leading industry solutions and methodologies including ZDHC, Bluesign, and the Higg Index – the most widely-adopted measure of sustainability in the apparel industry – Worldly delivers the insights businesses need to reduce their impact, comply with emerging regulatory and financial disclosure requirements, and meet the expectations of a new generation of customers. www.worldly.io

The race to meet global clean energy targets is on, and the supply chains supporting this shift are feeling the pressure. With the International Energy Agency (IEA) predicting that 2,400 gigawatts of clean energy will be deployed between 2022 and 2027, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Alongside rapidly growing demand for renewable energy products like solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicle (EV) batteries, supply chains face scrutiny for both their efficiency and their environmental impact.

As new clean energy projects take off, manufacturers must secure vital materials while navigating an increasingly complex web of sustainability expectations from regulators and consumers alike. But it’s not all smooth sailing—gaps in infrastructure, regulatory uncertainties, and supply chain bottlenecks are complicating progress.

In the face of this, DP World co-authored a report with Canary Creative, “Closing the Gap on Clean Energy Supply-Chain Sustainability,” that explores some of the challenges that supply chains need to navigate.

Here’s a head-first dive into what that report found.

Infrastructure Gaps

When it comes to supply-chain sustainability, infrastructure issues are the elephant in the room. One of the biggest challenges cited in their survey was the lack of adequate infrastructure to support rapid renewable energy deployment. For instance, 85% of solar modules installed in the U.S. between 2018 and 2020 were imported, signaling that domestic production still has a lot of catching up to do.

EVs, too, face a similar dilemma. While electrifying fleets would significantly reduce carbon emissions, the global shortfall of charging infrastructure is a glaring obstacle. The nonprofit Climate Group found that while 122 companies have committed to electrifying their fleets, a lack of charging stations could throw a wrench into their plans. Even U.S. ports face similar issues: Diesel-powered port equipment accounts for 3% of global emissions, yet the infrastructure to electrify these operations is slow to materialize.

Without substantial upgrades to both production and transportation infrastructure, the ability to scale clean energy solutions will remain stunted. And let’s be real—upgrading infrastructure isn’t easy. It’s costly, time-consuming, and in the case of ports and EV charging networks, disruptive to current operations.

Regulatory Impacts: Scope 3 Emissions and Global Standards

On the regulatory front, supply-chain emissions are getting more attention than ever before. In the U.S., the proposed Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) mandate on Scope 3 emissions could soon require public companies to report emissions from across their entire supply chain. This adds significant pressure for companies to track and report on the carbon footprint of not just their operations but also their suppliers.

According to KPMG, companies that fail to get a handle on these emissions will likely fall behind as consumers, investors, and regulators increasingly prioritize environmental, social, and governance (ESG) metrics. Europe is already ahead of the game with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), which came into effect in January 2023. This regulation requires about 50,000 companies to report on the environmental and social impacts of their supply chains.

The regulatory landscape is clear: Whether it’s in the U.S. or Europe, the need for transparency and accountability in supply chains is only going to grow. However, many companies are woefully unprepared. Our survey showed that 70% of respondents admitted they have either limited or incomplete data on their Scope 3 emissions. Without this data, how can companies make informed decisions about sustainability?

Onshoring Benefits: Homegrown Energy Solutions

One of the key strategies in addressing supply-chain fragility is onshoring—the process of bringing production back to domestic soil. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), passed in 2022, has already catalyzed a wave of investments aimed at scaling up U.S. clean energy manufacturing. More than 100 new facilities have been announced since the IRA’s passage, including battery plants and solar panel manufacturers.

But onshoring isn’t a silver bullet. Despite these investments, the U.S. still relies heavily on imported raw materials. For example, 85% of solar modules installed in the U.S. are still sourced from abroad, and the U.S. controls only about 7% of global battery manufacturing capacity. By contrast, China controls 75% of the global lithium-ion battery market and a significant portion of the world’s critical battery materials. To catch up, the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) estimates that it will need to invest an additional $175 billion in the next two to three years.

While onshoring offers a potential solution to supply-chain fragility, it’s clear that domestic production alone won’t be enough. Strengthening regional supply chains and diversifying sources of raw materials will also be crucial to meeting demand.

ESG Integration: Beyond Compliance to Competitive Advantage

As more companies adopt ESG standards, supply-chain sustainability is no longer just a compliance issue—it’s a competitive advantage. A BlueYonder survey found that 84% of executives consider supply-chain sustainability a top priority, driven by consumer demand and the need to meet ESG metrics. Clearly, businesses with robust ESG policies are better positioned to attract investment and consumer loyalty.

While 17% of companies are already paying a premium for suppliers that meet ESG standards, 44% of respondents in our survey said they would be willing to pay a slight premium. This trend suggests that companies increasingly view sustainable supply chains as an investment rather than a cost. However, achieving this requires better data and more internal expertise. Our report shows that many companies still lack the tools to accurately track and report on their sustainability metrics, particularly Scope 3 emissions.

Ultimately, integrating ESG into supply chains offers long-term benefits, from improved resilience and lower operating costs to enhanced brand reputation. But without the right data, many companies risk falling behind in the race for sustainability.

Presently, the path to sustainable supply chains is fraught with challenges—from infrastructure gaps and regulatory hurdles to data deficiencies and geopolitical risks. However, companies that can navigate these obstacles stand to gain a significant competitive edge in the clean energy market. To learn more about how to plug the gap in building sustainable supply chains, download the full DP World and Canary Creative report here.

As part of its commitment to the local Denver, CO community, more than 15 employees from AEG Presents Rocky Mountains built 47 new bikes to support Wish for Wheels, a non-profit organization that empowers the well-being of kids, families, and communities through the gift of a brand-new bike and helmet to second grade students in Title 1 schools.

The bikes, which were built onsite, were donated to the entire second grade class at Garden Palace Academy in Denver, on October 29, 2024. AEG Presents’ employees not only helped assemble the bikes, but also outfit each student with the correct bike size and helmet. Afterwards, the volunteers taught the kids how to ride the bikes.

“For many of the students gifting a bicycle gives them an active means of transportation and mobility, while also empowering them to be independent,” said Sam Capozzalo, Sr. Regional HR Business Partner, AEG Presents Rocky Mountains. “We are proud to partner with Wish for Wheels to not only bring smiles to these kids’ faces, but also to promote an active lifestyle of wellness and exercise.”

Wish for Wheels’ mission is to give every child in need their very own bike and helmet. The organization partners with corporations to assemble and donate new bicycles and helmets to underserved communities. To learn more, please click here.

BETHESDA, Md., November 6, 2024 /3BL/ – WHC (Wildlife Habitat Council) is offering a new white paper, Beyond Target 15 | Aligning Corporate Nature Actions to the Global Biodiversity Framework, for download today. Cemex sponsors this white paper, which is available for free on our website.

Biodiversity loss continues to pose a significant threat to ecosystems and human well-being. To address this global biodiversity crisis, the Global Diversity Framework (GBF) lists 23 targets to achieve by 2030. Following the initial announcement back in 2022, Target 15 was isolated, becoming the primary focus for corporate companies. While important, promoting and highlighting initiatives beyond Target 15 is necessary to push us forward. This conversation was highlighted at the latest Conference of Parties(COP16), where companies determined how the GBF goals and targets aligned to their national action plans.

Because we understand corporate conservation’s long-term positive impact on biodiversity, communities, habitats, species, and company morale, WHC is committed to investing in all conservation efforts. Over the years, WHC-certified sites have made significant strides in facilitating nature-positive actions that align with GBF targets. Learn more about these efforts in the case studies featured in this latest white paper.

Featured Case Studies from WHC-Certified sites include:

GM: Canoas Metropolitan Park, Bogota, ColumbiaKenvue: Guelph Manufacturing Plant, Ontario, CanadaBoeing: Santa Susana Field Laboratory, California, U.S.AFreeport-McMoRan: PTFI, Papua, IndonesiaWM: El Sobrante Landfill, California, U.S.A.Cemex: Las Salinas & Laguna Cabral, Barahona, Dominican RepublicVulcan Materials Company: Villa Rica, Georgia, U.S.A.Matador Ranch & Cattle: Beaverhead Ranch, Montana, U.S.AAlkebu-Lan Village: Community Garden, Michigan, U.S.A.

Sponsored by Cemex, this white paper features a foreword from Vicente Saiso, Vice President of Sustainability, Cemex. He states, “Our commitment to a nature-positive future is fundamental to our comprehensive Future in Action sustainability program. At Cemex, we are setting the pace to build a better, more sustainable future.”

About WHC

WHC (Wildlife Habitat Council) has been working at the nexus of business and biodiversity for 35 years and is the only international NGO focused exclusively on enabling private sector action for nature. WHC builds strategies and frameworks for companies to integrate nature with climate, equity and engagement to support sustainable ecosystems and healthy communities. WHC’s corporate members represent some of the leading national and multinational corporations. WHC-certified programs can be found in 19 countries and 48 U.S. states. Learn more at www.wildlifehc.org.

MIDLAND, Mich., November 6, 2024 /3BL/ – Dow (NYSE: Dow) recently received an award from the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) through their SHPE Technical Achievement and Recognition (STAR) award program.

The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers focuses on increasing representation of Hispanics in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Every year the organization hosts the STAR Awards to honor outstanding professionals for their dedication, commitment, and selfless efforts to grow and advance Hispanics in STEM careers.

Dr. Yenny Cubides, associate research scientist, was selected as a recipient of the STAR of Tomorrow Award in the Corporate category for her exemplary contributions in Core Research & Development (R&D) related work. Since starting at Dow, Yenny has successfully led multiple research projects, driving innovation to meet market needs. She leverages her topical expertise in corrosion and electrochemistry to strategically collaborate with manufacturing to enhance the company’s asset integrity and fortify our industry position.

She is also passionate about mentoring upcoming talent in the industry and serves as a recruiter in Dow’s BEST Symposium, a program intended to introduce Black, Latin, Native American U.S. doctoral and postdoctoral scientists to the wide range of rewarding careers in industrial research.

This award honors a STEM employee who has demonstrated outstanding technical performance that demonstrates a commitment to excellence and exhibit the potential for becoming a strong leader within their organization, serving as a role model in the areas of professionalism, integrity, dedication, and a commitment to mentoring and community service.

“Dow is committed to fostering a culture of inclusion, diversity and equity in STEM, and we are delighted to see our efforts reflected in the achievements of our talented team members,” shared A.N. Sreeram, executive sponsor of Dow’s HLN employee resource group and Dow’s senior vice president, research & development, and chief technology officer. “Yenny is a remarkable example of excellence, leadership, and service within and beyond Dow. I congratulate her for this well-deserved recognition by an organization that is shaping the future of our industry.”

Yenny and other honorees will be recognized during the SHPE National Convention being held in Anaheim, California from October 30 to November 3, 2024.

Learn more about the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers at https://www.shpe.org/about-shpe.

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About Dow

Dow (NYSE: DOW) is one of the world’s leading materials science companies, serving customers in high-growth markets such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer applications. Our global breadth, asset integration and scale, focused innovation, leading business positions and commitment to sustainability enable us to achieve profitable growth and help deliver a sustainable future. We operate manufacturing sites in 31 countries and employ approximately 35,900 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately $45 billion in 2023. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries. Learn more about us and our ambition to be the most innovative, customer-centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company in the world by visiting www.dow.com.

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For further information contact:

Ilse Granados Lerma 
Public Affairs 
igranadoslerma@dow.com

What will it take to transform the future of food? According to 200 industry leaders at the recent Reuters Transform Food & Agriculture event, it requires:

Bringing the full supply chain to the tableInnovations that are scalable, profitable and predictable for farmersA growth mindset that allows us to think outside of the box

Leading the conversation, Katie Cook, VP of Livestock Sustainability and U.S. Farm Animal Marketing, moderated a panel of industry leaders from Land O’Lakes, Inc., Tate & Lyle, CH4Global and Nutrien Ag Solutions where leaders spoke about new innovations and opportunities for supply chain collaborations that they’ve seen work firsthand. During a subsequent fireside chat with Jackie Klippenstein, Senior Vice President and Chief Government and Industry Relations Officer at Dairy Farmers of America, they discussed the latest initiatives aimed at helping the dairy industry reduce, measure and monetize enteric methane emissions, with a focus on Scope 3 emissions reductions.

Learn more about what we’re doing in this space here.

ATLANTA, November 6, 2024 /3BL/ – The Georgia Power Foundation has announced the recipients of its Waters for Georgia grant program – The Trust for Public Land and the Seabrook Village Foundation. The organizations will share $1 million in grants under the program, which invests in water resource focused projects that result in measurable benefits to environments and communities in Georgia including projects to preserve and restore the state’s waterways, lakes and rivers.

“For more than a century, protecting Georgia’s natural legacy and its resources has been a foundational element of our commitment to being A Citizen Wherever We Serve,” said Jason Cuevas, vice president of Corporate Responsibility for Georgia Power, and president and CEO of the Georgia Power Foundation. “The Waters for Georgia grant program is just one way that we partner with instrumental organizations such as the Trust for Public Land and Seabrook Village Foundation that are working to preserve, and improve, our state’s water resources for Georgians today, and for future generations. We congratulate this year’s recipients and look forward to seeing the impact of their work.”

The Trust for Public Land – The Trust for Public Land works alongside communities to create, protect and steward the nature-rich places that are vital to human well-being. Their work strives to connect individuals with the outdoors by creating parks and protecting land for people to ensure healthy communities for the future. This organization will use grant funding to restore hydrological infrastructure, introduce green infrastructure and establish riverbank plant buffers in Mableton, adjacent to the Fulton County Airport – Brown Field.

Seabrook Village Foundation – This nonprofit organization is dedicated to research, education and the authentic portrayal of the Reconstruction culture and environment of the rural African American community in coastal Georgia. This organization will use grant funding to provide a living shoreline installation that facilitates a healthy marsh ecosystem while preserving the shoreline and preventing erosion that could impact the historical heritage site to the Gullah Geechee community.

The environmental actions and activities of the Waters for Georgia program, administered by Bonneville Energy Foundation, include green infrastructure, managing water quality, best management practices and community engagement. Since the launch in 2019, this strategic water quality initiative has supported 18 projects totaling $3 million of investment to enhance water quality across the state. Previous grant recipients include Trees Atlanta, The Nature Conservancy, The Georgia Conservancy, Golden Triangle Resource Conservation and Development Council, Eco-Action and more. The Georgia Power Foundation expects to initiate the next funding cycle in 2025.

The Georgia Power Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and is the third-largest corporate giving foundation in Georgia. Since its creation in 1986, the foundation has been empowering the future of Georgia, with funds donated by shareholders. Georgia Power’s philanthropic focus is to be a citizen wherever we serve by investing in education, environmental stewardship, communities, and social justice efforts. Learn more at https://www.georgiapower.com/community.html

About Georgia Power 
Georgia Power is the largest electric subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), America’s premier energy company. Value, Reliability, Customer Service and Stewardship are the cornerstones of the company’s promise to 2.7 million customers in all but four of Georgia’s 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable, and affordable energy, Georgia Power maintains a diverse, innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, coal and natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind. Georgia Power focuses on delivering world-class service to its customers every day and the company is recognized by J.D. Power as an industry leader in customer satisfaction. For more information, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower), X (X.com/GeorgiaPower) and Instagram (Instagram.com/ga_power).

SOURCE Georgia Power

For further information: Georgia Power; Media Relations, (404) 506-7676 or (800) 282-1696, www.georgiapower.com

As darkness descends earlier and the autumn chill sets in, there’s something lurking in our homes, draining energy and running up your electric bill – phantom energy!

Phantom energy, also known as vampire energy or standby power, is the energy consumed by devices when they appear off but still draw power. Take a peek around your home and you’ll find a number of devices that may be impacting your energy bill. Examples of where phantom energy commonly lurks include:

Smart phone chargersComputers and printersSmall kitchen appliancesGaming consoles

Here are a few tips keep phantom energy at bay and reduce your energy costs:

Use a power strip with an on/off switch to completely power down electronics around your home when not in use.Unplug your smart phone charger, laptop or other electronic devices once they are fully charged.Scare ghouls away with energy-efficient LED bulbs, which last longer and use up to 75 percent less energy than standard bulbs.Manage your bill on My Account. Online energy management tools show you how much energy you are using. The bill to date feature lets you know what your bill costs are to date at any time during the month. You can also get tips based on your energy saving goals.

Delmarva Power Maryland customers can also get assistance from Zoe, the Good Energy Guide, by visiting delmarva.com/goodenergy. Zoe walks customers through Delmarva Power’s energy efficiency offerings to help customers in Maryland save energy and money.

Delmarva Power Delaware and Maryland customers can learn more about energy saving options at delmarva.com/WaysToSave.

Takeaways

Today, we’re excited to announce the recipients of the 2023 Llama Impact Grants, who will be awarded $500,000 each to support their use of AI to address pressing social issues. Wadhwani AI, Digital Green and Dana-Farber will use Llama 3 to improve English language learning in public schools in India, provide agricultural advice to small-scale farmers and match cancer patients to clinical trials.

Today, we’re excited to announce the recipients of the 2023 Llama Impact Grants. We launched our grants program in 2023 to support innovative use cases of Llama 2 and Llama 3, our open source AI models, that address pressing social issues. We received over 800 applications from organizations in over 90 countries, proposing uses of Llama in education, the environment and open innovation. From that pool of applicants, twenty finalists stood out, and three proposals led the pack.

Making English More Accessible to Students in India

Based in Gujarat, India, Wadhwani AI plans to use Llama 3 to create an AI-enabled reading fluency assessment to enhance English reading and comprehension skills in public schools in Gujarat, India. Their project, which was created in partnership with Gujarat’s Department of Education, will employ Llama to generate passages and comprehension questions tailored to the needs, abilities and learning levels of students learning English. Students will read passages aloud, then the program will flag mispronunciations and generate new, culturally relevant passages using mispronounced words, targeting and improving problem areas. English plays an important role in social and economic mobility in India, and Wadhwani AI’s project will use Llama to take important steps toward making English more accessible to all.

Advising Farmers in Underserved Areas

Digital Green’s Farmer Chat is a multilingual AI chatbot that provides customized, on-demand agricultural advisory services to farmers in underserved areas in India, Kenya and Nigeria. For their project, Digital Green plans to train Llama 2 on a vast repository of agricultural data, adapting the model to the specific needs and contexts of different regions, and improving Farmer Chat’s accuracy and relevance. Llama’s conversational capabilities will be used to engage with farmers, understand their queries and provide comprehensive and practical responses in a variety of local languages, including Hindi, Swahili and Kikuyu. The project, which will be a partnership with One Acre Fund, aims to help improve climate resilience and reduce poverty among small-scale farmers by lowering the cost of agricultural advisory services.

Matching Cancer Patients to Clinical Trials

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI), based in the US, plans to build a new open source AI platform to computationally match cancer patients to clinical trials. Dana-Farber’s project will use Llama 3 to summarize and comprehend unstructured clinical notes and unstructured clinical trial eligibility criteria, enabling rapid identification of appropriate trial options for individual patients. The new AI models will be integrated into Dana-Farber’s existing open source MatchMiner platform and evaluated with clinical partners. Clinical trials are essential for the development of new cancer therapies, and efficient matching can help to make more of these trials possible.

Runners Up and Impact Innovation Awardees

Jacaranda Health, the runner up for the Grants, was awarded $300,000 for their plan to expand the capabilities of their AI digital health service, PROMPTS, using Llama. We’ve also given grants to eleven winners of the Llama Impact Innovations Awards, an extension of the grants program that we created to further identify and support organizations based in Africa, the Middle East, Turkey, Asia Pacific, and Latin America that are already using Llama 2 and 3 to address issues in their region. In addition to financial awards, winners and runners-up will have access to a range of resources to help them realize their projects, including mentorship, partnership opportunities, and ad credits.  We’re excited to see how Llama can contribute to social progress around the world, and we encourage eligible organizations to apply to the 2024 Llama Impact Grants.

November 6, 2024 /3BL/ – We are pleased to announce that Inogen Alliance will have a presence at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, marking the second time we will have a global delegation involved in COP with seven Associate companies. Our team attending and presenting includes our local Associate, Sustainera Solutions with Ilkin Hajiyev and team, who has been involved since it was announced that Baku would be the next location. They have been working in collaboration with AzerSun Holding as an official sponsor of COP29 consulting on sustainability topics and events. We also have Associates attending and presenting from Antea Brasil, Hilton Lucio; Antea Group USA and President of Inogen Alliance, Angelique Dickson; Antea Group UK,  Alex Ferguson; denxpert, Robert Szucs-Winkler; Integral Consult Egypt, Amr Osama Abdel-Aziz; and Tonkin + Taylor New Zealand, Brett Ogilvie and Paddy Pringle. Our Associate Amr from Integral Consult has been involved with an official role in negotiations for 19 years, and will be serving as Advisor to the Minister of Environment of Egypt with a role in negotiations.

COP29 Side Events

Inogen Alliance will have visibility and presence in four Green Zone events and one Blue Zone event in collaboration with AzerSun Holdings sponsorship, solidifying our role in key COP29 discussions. Sustainera Solutions have secured co-organization roles for key events, including panel discussions and workshops. 

Blue Zone events:

WATER RESILIENCE AND CLIMATE CHANGE. IMPACTS ON AGRICULTURE, INFRASTRUCUTRE AND BUSINESS CONTINUITY, 19 November, 12:00 – 13:00, Blue Zone, Event Hall TBC

The upcoming side-event will foster meaningful discussions and in-depth dialogue among a range of stakeholders, including the private sector, international organizations, and subject matter experts, all focused on practical approaches to water management and the impacts of climate change on agriculture. This panel, in collaboration with INOGEN Alliance Associates, will delve into actionable strategies for ensuring business continuity and water resilience, especially in agriculture and infrastructure sectors. With extensive global experience, INOGEN Alliance brings valuable insights to this discussion; our Source Vulnerability Assessment (SVA), which has assessed water source vulnerabilities across diverse sectors worldwide, provides a credible basis for understanding and mitigating climate risks. This SVA framework, designed to evaluate the effects of climate change on water resources—from supply chains to distribution networks—has been applied in over 800 locations globally. Through practical case studies and proven results, we will illustrate how businesses can proactively address water resource vulnerabilities, highlighting the collaborative actions needed from both governmental bodies and private enterprises to secure resilient water management systems.

Panelists include:

Nail Mehrabova (Advisor to Azersun board on Strategy and Sustainable Business Development) Hilton Lucio (CEO of Antea Group Brazil)Alicia Fantozzi (CEO of Regen & Vorterro Technology)Brian Ingram (Managing Partner of Alpha Green)

Moderated by:

Ilkin Hajiyev (Director of Sustainera Solutions)

Green Zone events:

EMPOWERING THE TRANSITION: FINANCING TOMORROW’S ENERGY TODAY, 15 November, 10:00 – 11:00, Green Zone, Energy Room

As the energy transition touches all facets of economies and societies, it requires a systemic approach to ensure everyone is part of the discussion and no one is left behind. New sources of energy and new ways of distributing energy, supported by applications such as digitalization, artificial intelligence, and innovative business models, introduced new participants to the energy system who can actively contribute to the transition.

Our panelist speakers include: 

Mr. Mehmet Savash Uzan (CEO of AzerSun Holding)Dr. Amr Abdel-Aziz (Advisor to the Minister of Environment of Egypt, Integral Consult, member of Inogen Alliance)Dr. Brett Ogilvie (Executive Leader at Tonkin & Taylor, member of Inogen Alliance)Mr. Alex Ferguson (CEO of Antea Group UK, member of Inogen Alliance)Ms. Sharaf Asgarova (Renewables Expert)

Moderated by:

Ms. Angelique Dickson (President of Inogen Alliance)

AI and Emerging Technologies: Empowering a Sustainable Future Through Innovatio, 16 November 2024 / 12:00-13:00 / Green Zone, Water Event Hall

This panel will delve into the transformative role of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies in tackling climate challenges and advancing global sustainability. As technology reshapes how businesses, governments, and individuals approach responsible resource management, the discussion will focus on AI’s unparalleled potential to drive resource efficiency, minimize waste, and accelerate the shift to a low-carbon economy.

Azersun is taking a major step forward in sustainability-driven innovation with the launch of two groundbreaking AI-powered platforms, developed in partnership with FABA International. These separate solutions—Eco19 for Individual and Eco19 for Enterprise—are designed to empower users to optimize resource allocation, reduce waste, and embrace a circular economy. This dual launch represents the next evolution in sustainability technology, illustrating how advanced AI can turn data into actionable strategies that reduce environmental impact and support responsible consumption.

Keynote speech:

Ms. Shoba Viswanath (Viswanath Consulting LLC)

Speakers include:

Mr. Ilkin Haji (Founder & Executive Director – Sustainera Solutions, member of Inogen Alliance)Fidan Tofidi ( Director at the Central Bank of Azerbaycan/ technology and innovations expert)

Enablers of Future Sustainability: Nurturing Climate Champions for Climate Action, 18 November, 10:00 – 11:00, Green zone, Universe Conference Room

Based on the Brundtland Commission’s definition of sustainable development—”meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”—this programme focuses on cultivating a climate-resilient future generation starting from Early Childhood Development (ECD) level. By empowering children through inclusive education, especially those from disadvantaged and rural backgrounds, the event will prompt discussions around strategies to reduce disparities in access to education and foster a generation ready to take meaningful climate action.

Panelist speakers include: 

Hilton Lucio (CEO of ANTEA Brazil, member of Inogen Alliance)Zohre Khalilzad (Food and Oil General Director at AzerSun Holding)Gwendolyn Burchell (Founder of UAFA)

Moderated by:

Narmina Aliyeva (Sustainability Officer at Sustainera Solutions, member of Inogen Alliance)

From Consumerism to Circularity: Addressing Overconsumption through Resource Efficiency and Climate Action, 21 November, 10:00 – 11:00, Green Zone, Universe Conference Room

The programme will dive in the interconnected challenges of overconsumption and consumeristic behaviour, as well as how they contribute to resource depletion and environmental deterioration. By tackling these challenges, the event will demonstrate how lowering overconsumption patterns may not only reduce environmental impact, but also accelerate the transition to circular economy. It will explore how promoting sustainable consumption patterns and resource efficiency can speed up global climate change mitigation efforts.

Panelists Include:

Ali Mammadov (Factory Director at AKKIK)Gulnara Aslanbayli (Director of AMCHAM)Shirin Jamalli (Founder of ALMET Holding)

Moderated by:

Murad Huseynov (Sustainability Lead at Sustainera Solutions, member of Inogen Alliance)

Negotiations Role

Dr. Abdel-Aziz has been extensively involved in the negotiations process since 2015 and was a senior advisor to COP27 presidency leading on mitigation and transparency issues. He is also the advisor to the Egyptian Minister of Environment on climate change issues since 2014. Dr. Abdel-Aziz is currently the co-chair of Sharm El Sheikh Mitigation Ambition and Implementation Work Program under the Paris Agreement. He was also the Like-Minded Group of Developing Countries transparency coordinator during the negotiations of the Modalities, Procedures and Guidelines of the Enhanced Transparency Framework of the Paris Agreement. 

Dr. Abdel-Aziz is a member of the Methodologies Panel of the CDM Executive Board since 2005 and a member of the Methodologies Expert Panel of Article 6.4. Moreover, he was a lead author for the IPCC WGIII AR5 report (Industry chapter, waste section), IPCC WGIII AR6 report (Emissions drivers and trends), and the 2019 refinement for the IPCC 2006 Guidelines. He is an expert in emissions projections with UNFCCC and a lead reviewer for reviewing Annex I Parties national communications, biennial reports and GHG inventories and has also led technical analysis teams for non-Annex I Parties BUR. 

COP29 Local Support

Sustainera Solutions has been actively engaged in preparing for COP29, starting with a comprehensive COP29 readiness assessment conducted by our research and analytics team in collaboration with the COP29 operating company. This assessment evaluated the sustainability maturity levels of various governmental entities and agencies, providing an in-depth examination of their current status and offering recommendations on better integration of sustainability into policymaking. One key outcome of this report was that the subsequent thematic agenda of COP29 was influenced by Sustainera’s materiality analysis. Additionally, some of our recommendations, such as initiating a national pledge to foster public-private partnerships, were implemented.

COP29 Trainings

Our sustainability and ESG experts have also contributed significantly by conducting multiple trainings for the volunteers at COP29. These sessions focused on inclusivity, social sustainability, and environmental sustainability, benefiting around 2,000 volunteers. We also developed extensive online training materials that cover topics like the basics of sustainability, COP29’s inclusivity efforts, and more. This course, integrated into the COP29 LMS system, is available for free to the public, ensuring widespread access to vital sustainability education.

COP29 Business Support

In addition to our COP29 readiness efforts, Sustainera is actively supporting several major companies with their presence and visibility during the event. Our team plays a vital role in drafting event agendas, revising communication materials, and conducting stakeholder mapping to ensure effective engagement throughout the conference. We also focus on narrative development, creating impactful visitor experiences for company pavilions, and aligning them with COP29 themes. By providing these services, we enable businesses to present their sustainability commitments, foster meaningful dialogues with stakeholders, and highlight their contributions toward achieving sustainability goals during this global event.

Watch for more to come from our global team in attendance as COP20 unfolds. You can find previous insights and perspectives from COP28 with our team here.

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