Day: September 9, 2021

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Sphera Announces Expanded Availability of Environmental, Social and Governance Reporting Solutions

Sphera’s ESG offering supports companies on the path to net zero while reducing operational risk and enhancing brand reputation.

CHICAGO, Sept. 09, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sphera®, a global leader in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) risk and performance management software, data and consulting services, announces the widespread availability of its integrated ESG solutions. They consist of a comprehensive suite of data, software and consulting services that help customers quickly and effectively elevate their ESG performance and reporting capability.

With this expanded offering, Sphera customers will have better access to data-driven insights to maximize cost-effectiveness, increase the value of their investments in corporate social responsibility efforts, and satisfy both traditional compliance and future sustainability needs. Managing ESG performance reduces exposure to environmental risk, increases revenue and drives organizations into a sustainable future. With growing investor demand for measurable ESG progress, business leaders need to be able to demonstrate their ESG performance with clarity and confidence. Sphera has adapted its technology suite to specifically address this burgeoning market need. Features of Sphera’s integrated ESG solutions include:

  • Industry-based sustainability data to provide reliable data-driven insights—close to 15,000 datasets for more than 20 industries—into a company’s value chain and create a foundation for fact-based improvement and communication of your ESG performance.
  • Connected, scalable software solutions to ensure transparency and increase the efficiency of each stage of a customer’s sustainability and ESG journey.
  • Expert-led ESG guidance from sustainability consultants to bring deep sector and method-specific knowledge into the equation.

Moving toward a net-zero emission target is one of the most important metrics for ESG reporting. However, the assessment, management and reduction of Scope 3 emissions are the most difficult parts to achieve due to the huge amount of information that needs to be collected and analyzed. Sphera’s combination of data, software and expertise helps companies address these strategic decarbonization challenges.

Sphera’s ESG solution also incorporates a number of widely accepted disclosure framework standards, such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI).  This flexibility enables companies across industries to efficiently report their sustainability activities in relevant, sector-specific terms.

“Innovation has always been at the heart of Sphera’s mission, and our laser focus on staying ahead of the risk management curve has helped us evolve to become a leading integrated ESG software, data and services organization—at a time when our clients need these services the most,” said Paul Marushka, Sphera’s president and CEO. “Companies with the highest levels of ESG performance see greater returns on their investments, and we believe our comprehensive solutions can help them harness this powerful correlation.”

Sphera has long been at the forefront of innovative sustainability reporting solutions, leveraging its triple-powered approach of Innovation, Information and Insights to help companies improve their ESG performance.​ Verdantix, an independent analyst firm, recently named Sphera as a market leader for environmental compliance, sustainability management and sustainability reporting in its EHS Software Benchmark report. Sphera achieved the highest aggregate score for environmental compliance management and Corporate Sustainability solutions.

“Sphera is one of the few digital solution providers to bring together capabilities for sustainability reporting, ESG risk management and product stewardship. They’ve made meaningful investments in building their ESG reporting capabilities,” added David Metcalfe, CEO of Verdantix. “Their recognition in our EHS Software Benchmark report is a direct reflection of their commitment to leading the way for corporate sustainability excellence.”

To learn more about how Sphera is helping customers in their sustainability journey, read about how the company helped Aptar, a global leader in packaging and drug delivery devices, validate their ESG risks and opportunities according to the TCFD methodology.

Dr. Michele Del Grosso, global program manager of sustainability at Aptar said that, “Sphera’s corporate sustainability and strategy experts provided Aptar with valuable insights into the financial implications of our climate-related risks and opportunities. This enabled us to provide our stakeholders with valid proof of our environmental performance. By integrating the results into CDP reporting, we were able to improve ESG performance and recognition to become a CDP 2020 Climate A-List company.”

For additional information on how Sphera is helping customers meet and exceed ESG performance goals, visit https://sphera.com/begin-your-esg-sustainability-journey/.

About Sphera

Sphera creates a safer, more sustainable and productive world. We are a leading global provider of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performance and risk management software, data and consulting services with a focus on Environment, Health, Safety & Sustainability (EHS&S), Operational Risk Management and Product Stewardship.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Sphera@AspectusGroup.com

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Le projet marocain éolien + informatique durable poursuit son développement sous un nouveau nom

Soluna Technologies Ltd. s’appelle désormais Harmattan Energy, Ltd.

NEW YORK, 9 septembre 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Soluna Technologies, Ltd., connue pour son parc éolien de 900 mégawatts (MW) et centre informatique blockchain en développement à Dakhla, au Maroc, s’appelle désormais Harmattan Energy, Ltd. Le directeur général, John Belizaire, a renommé l’entreprise après que Mechanical Technology, Inc. (MTI) ait acquis Soluna Computing — une spin-out focalisée sur l’élimination du gaspillage de l’énergie renouvelable à l’aide de l’informatique durable – qui devient Soluna Holdings le 12 août 2021. Le projet éolien Harmattan Wind au Maroc n’a pas été inclus dans l’acquisition de Soluna par MTI.

Harmattan Energy, Ltd. maintiendra le projet éolien Harmattan Wind et gérera toutes les activités de développement.

« Harmattan a totalement inspiré notre business model pour Soluna, qui sera un terrain d’essai important pour le premier projet informatique blockchain du genre avec l’éolien verticalement intégré », a déclaré Belizaire. « Ce projet a le potentiel d’être le plus important en Afrique et de tirer parti d’une énorme ressource éolienne. Notre business model de développement des énergies renouvelables jumelé à l’informatique durable peut ouvrir des perspectives économiques à l’échelle du continent. »

Nommé d’après les alizés de l’Est de l’Afrique de l’Ouest, Harmattan continuera à développer le parc éolien sur plus de 10 000 hectares, y compris les data centers sur site qui utilisent l’énergie renouvelable pour alimenter la puissance de calcul de la blockchain. Harmattan Energy générera de l’énergie propre pour des processus informatiques à haute intensité et potentiellement regroupables. Ce business model résout deux problèmes croissants. Tout d’abord, il crée une utilisation avantageuse des énergies renouvelables « restreintes » ou gaspillées. Ensuite, il offre une voie qui permettrait à l’informatique à forte intensité énergétique d’être plus durable.

Harmattan Energy, Ltd. poursuivra les plans précédemment conçus par l’intermédiaire de sa filiale A.M Wind, SARL, pour développer un centre d’excellence, créer des emplois et établir des partenariats avec des intervenants locaux, notamment des gouvernements, des organisations locales et des partenaires de services publics au Maroc.

La société conserve ses actionnaires originaux, Brookstone Partners, qui sera supervisé par Matt Lipman, directeur général de Brookstone. M. Belizaire agira à titre de PDG par intérim, jusqu’à ce qu’un remplaçant soit nommé. La première phase de développement de 100 MW devrait débuter en 2022.

À propos de Harmattan Energy, Ltd.

Auparavant connue sous le nom de Soluna Technologies Ltd., Harmattan Energy Ltd., a été fondée en 2018, puis renommée en 2021. Harmattan développe des projets intégrés verticalement, à l’échelle des services publics, qui associent ses propres centrales d’énergie renouvelable avec des installations informatiques transférables axées sur le minage de cryptomonnaie et les applications de pointe utilisant la blockchain. Le projet phare de Soluna, Harmattan Wind, est un site éolien de 900 MW situé au Maroc. La productivité record du site apporte une couche d’infrastructure propre, à faible coût et durable à la blockchain.

Dirigée par une équipe de technologues et d’experts en énergie renouvelable réputés à l’international, Harmattan a pour mission de contribuer à un monde meilleur en faisant de l’énergie renouvelable la source d’énergie principale en utilisant l’informatique comme catalyseur.

Le siège social d’Harmattan est à New York, avec des bureaux au Maroc.

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In First Summit with International Business & Government Leaders, Essential Workers to Discuss Framework for Just COVID-19 Recovery

*Tune into Day 2 of the Summit at 13:00 GMT at essentialforrecovery.org*

London, UK, Sept. 09, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Wednesday, Sept. 8 marked the opening day of the first-ever global summit of essential workers. Participants from around the world tuned in to a powerful conversation about an economic recovery that prioritizes essential workers, especially women in the informal economy.

“Universal social protections for essential workers are no longer a choice for governments; it is a very necessary move for governments to take,” Lorraine Sibanda, president of StreetNet International, an international alliance of street vendors, told the crowd.

The Essential for Recovery summit, which runs from September 8 through September 10, brings together essential workers from North and South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia with global business and government leaders to discuss a framework for a just economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. The event centers the demands of care workers and the 61% of workers worldwide who labor in the informal economy, including domestic workers, agricultural workers, street vendors, and home-based workers.

“Home-based workers contribute around $300 billion to the economy, but they don’t get any benefit out of it. We are part of supply chains but we are not recognized as contributors to the supply chains,” said Saira Feroze of the Home-Based Women Workers Federation, on Day 1 of the summit.

The first day of the innovative summit brought together diverse voices from across the globe. Martha Chen, a lecturer at Harvard and senior advisor to Women in Informal Employement: Globalizing and Organizing (WIEGO), interviewed Rosheda Muller, president of the South African Informal Traders Alliance, on how street vendors are organizing globally. Legendary South African labor leader Myrtle Witbooi spoke with Maina Kiai, senior official at Human Rights Watch and former United Nations Special Rapporteur. And actor and activist Martin Sheen and actress Yalitza Aparicio made special appearances.

“COVID-19 taught us the importance of all workers in different sectors, recognizing that they deserve decent work and are important in the global economy. Governments know about this issue, but what are they doing about it?” asked Aparicio, who was nominated for an Oscar for her performance in the 2019 movie Roma.

Day 2 of the event on Thursday will focus on the fight against inequality, sexual harassment, and abuse in the workplace. Guests include: Rosa Pavanelli, the General Secretary of Public Services International, interviewing “Mama Union” Rose Omamo, leader of the Kenyan metal workers union; journalist Xanthe Scharff interviewing Mercedes D’Alessandro, feminist economist and Argentine government official; and journalist Reena Ninan interviewing business leader Brid Gould of Sodexo.

About Essential For Recovery:

The Essential for Recovery Summit is led by non-profit labor organizations — including  HomeNet International, International Domestic Workers’ Federation, International Trade Union Confederation, Solidarity Center, StreetNet International, UNI Global Union, and Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing and Organizing — and supported by the Open Society Foundations.

Communications
Open Society Foundations 
(212)-548-0378
media@opensocietyfoundations.org
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Disruptive.Asia finds China’s chip makers leveraging innovation and policy support to hit 14nm maturity

LONDON, Sept. 9, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Disruptive.Asia finds that China’s quest for self-sufficiency in chipset manufacturing not only giving its 14nm chip-making capability a significant boost towards full maturity, but also positioning the country as a key global partner in the chipset space as the supply chain shifts in favor of the Asia-Pacific region.

According to Cai Yimao, Vice Dean of School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science Peking University, Chinese companies have overcome many of the technical problems in developing 14nm chips, accelerating China’s 14nm capabilities over the past couple of years. It is expected that China’s 28nm chipset sector is on track for full maturity this year and 14nm chipsets are on track to follow suit by 2022.

Strong policy support and investment are supporting chip makers in China. Cai thinks the promulgation of relevant policies has made it clear that China continues to support the IC industry as a pillar industry. China has attached great importance to the development of the IC industry and continuously strengthens policy support and investment.

Currently, the supply chain shifts towards China and Southeast Asia. It is believed this will also drive domestic R&D of advanced technologies and spur rapid development of local enterprises in China as they accumulate technology expertise and management experience. Also, the gradual completion of the construction of new wafer fabs in mainland China provides new support for the chip industry in terms of reduced costs, expanded production capacity, and geographical convenience. The number and proportion of China’s integrated circuit production lines have continued to increase. More than 20 300mm fab production lines have been put into production, and several are under construction.

Disruptive.Asia agrees that China has already mastered the technology for mass production of 14nm.  Like what Cai has mentioned, China’s domestic 14nm chips will be mass-produced next year, with a better balance of performance, power consumption and cost than ever before.

About Disruptive.Asia

Disruptive.Asia covers the current state of digital disruption in the Asia-Pacific telecoms, fintech and internet sectors – where it’s coming from, what’s driving it, the impact it’s having on each industry, how the key players are responding and what’s next.

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Reimagining ADAS and AD Solutions, Join LeddarTech at Three Major International Events in September 2021

QUEBEC CITY, Sept. 09, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LeddarTech®, a global leader in Level 1-5 ADAS and AD sensing technology, is pleased to announce its participation in several digital and in-person events during September in the capacity of both an exhibitor and presenter. These global events will showcase LeddarTech’s comprehensive end-to-end technology platforms, which enable customers to solve critical sensing and perception challenges across the entire value chain of the automotive and mobility markets. These featured solutions include the LeddarVision™ sensor-fusion and perception platform and the cost-effective, scalable LiDAR development platform based on patented LeddarEngine™ technology.

“The acceleration of autonomous driving depends heavily on the ADAS solutions being developed today,” stated Daniel Aitken, VP of Global Marketing, Communications, and Product Management at LeddarTech. “These upcoming events highlight LeddarTech’s scalable and flexible reimagined approach with LiDAR and sensor-fusion and perception solutions that address individual customer needs,” he continued. “We are especially pleased to have Mike Thoeny, President of the Automotive Business Group at Flex, co-host one of our sessions. We look forward to you joining us for one or all of these events,” Mr. Aitken concluded.

Industry Tech Days – September 13-17 (Digital)

Industry Tech Days brings essential insights in electronics, everything from edge intelligence design to next-generation automotive sensors, delivered LIVE straight from industry experts to your desktop or mobile device.

Join LeddarTech for two presentations:

  • “Sensor-Fusion and Perception Solutions for Key ADAS and AD Applications” (Use Case), featuring Youval Nehmadi, Engineering Director, LeddarTech Sensor Fusion and Perception Platform Research & Development Center, Israel.
  • “Why Flexible Platforms Are Required for Future ADAS/AD Deployments,” by Frantz Saintellemy, LeddarTech’s President and COO, and Mike Thoeny, President of the Automotive Business Group at Flex.

Register for free here.

China International Optoelectronic Conference (CIOE) / MEMS Seminar – September 16-18 (Live in Shenzhen, China)

CIOE is China’s largest optoelectronic industry event, held in the Shenzhen World Convention and Exhibition Center. Mr. Horry Cheng will represent LeddarTech on the panel for “LiDAR and 3D Camera Sensing Technology & Applications,” and LeddarTech will also exhibit at this prestigious event.

Register here.

Automotive LiDAR Conference 2021 – September 21- 23 (Digital Event)

This conference is one of the only events exclusively focused on automotive LiDAR technologies and applications. The conference sessions will present the various approaches in developing a LiDAR system and explain the reasons for choosing one approach over another.

  • Join LeddarTech’s CTO Pierre Olivier on September 21 at 2:00 p.m. EST for his featured presentation “Combining LiDAR, Radar, and Camera: Sensor Fusion Challenges and Solutions.”

Register here.

For a complete list of LeddarTech’s upcoming live and virtual events, please visit leddartech.com/events.

About LeddarTech

LeddarTech is a leader in environmental sensing platforms for autonomous vehicles and advanced driver assistance systems. Founded in 2007, LeddarTech has evolved to become a comprehensive end-to-end environmental sensing company by enabling customers to solve critical sensing and perception challenges across the entire value chain of the automotive and mobility market segments. With its LeddarVision™ sensor-fusion and perception platform and its cost-effective, scalable, and versatile LiDAR development solution for automotive-grade solid-state LiDARs based on the LeddarEngine™, LeddarTech enables Tier 1-2 automotive system integrators to develop full-stack sensing solutions for autonomy level 1 to 5. These solutions are actively deployed in autonomous shuttles, trucks, buses, delivery vehicles, smart cities/factories, and robotaxi applications. The company is responsible for several innovations in cutting-edge automotive and mobility remote-sensing applications, with over 100 patented technologies (granted or pending) enhancing ADAS and autonomous driving capabilities.

Additional information about LeddarTech is accessible at www.leddartech.com and on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.

Contact:
Daniel Aitken, Vice-President, Global Marketing, Communications, and Product Management, LeddarTech Inc.
Tel.: + 1-418-653-9000 ext. 232
daniel.aitken@leddartech.com

Leddar, LeddarTech, LeddarSteer, LeddarEngine, LeddarVision, LeddarSP, LeddarCore, VAYADrive, VayaVision, and related logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of LeddarTech Inc. and its subsidiaries. All other brands, product names, and marks are or may be trademarks or registered trademarks used to identify products or services of their respective owners.