Tag: sustainability

Green Building Initiative Launches Ascent Building Certification™ for Global Markets

by jezzabellemente, posted in Uncategorized

New portfolio-ready building certification delivers proven tools to achieve credible sustainability and performance outcomes worldwide

PORTLAND, Ore., March 4 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Green Building Initiative (GBI) announces the global launch of Ascent Building Certification™, a science-based whole building certification designed to evaluate sustainability, health, and resilience practices for all types of commercial real estate across regions and portfolios. Ascent will be used for new and existing projects in the EU, the UK, and elsewhere outside Canada and the United States to improve the built environment’s impact on climate and society.

Ascent Building Certification™ is a global expansion of GBI’s trusted third-party assessment and certification programs. GBI has certified over 93 million square meters (1 billion square feet) of commercial real estate, leading with its flagship certification, Green Globes®. Strong adoption of Green Globes combined with market demand for a robust, proven, and transparent certification that delivers consistent methodology across borders and portfolios led GBI to expand its flagship certification globally under the Ascent™ brand.

Designed for owners and project teams managing assets in all lifecycle phases, Ascent provides a consensus-based framework, consistent with Green Globes, that adapts to local standards and regulatory requirements. The certification responds to growing market demand for certification systems that combine transparency, a trustworthy independent assessment, and practical usability—without unnecessary administrative burden.

“Building owners and investors are facing increasing pressure to demonstrate measurable performance and return on investment across global portfolios,” said Vicki Worden, CEO of GBI. “GBI’s Ascent Building Certification answers that demand with a practical, transparent, and ESG-aligned approach.”

Ascent is designed to serve organizations seeking user-friendly, portfolio-ready certification. Key features include:

  • Global consistency with local relevance through a unified framework adaptable to regional regulations and environmental conditions
  • Transparent scoring and results that support credible reporting and stakeholder confidence
  • Independent third-party assessment conducted through GBI’s established assessor network
  • User-friendly software tools with centralized reporting dashboards and aggregated portfolio scoring
  • Dedicated expert support from GBI’s team of green building specialists and project managers
     

Certification levels align with the Green Globes One through Four rating system, and performance categories address critical building outcomes and Environmental Assessment Areas, including project management and responsible business practices, site, energy, water, materials, and indoor environment.

By combining transparent scoring, independent certification, structured expert guidance, and user-friendly tools, Ascent reduces friction in the certification process while maintaining rigorous performance standards.

Organizations can learn more or begin the certification process at:
https://thegbi.org/assessment-certification/ascent-certification/

For media inquiries, contact megan@thegbi.org.

About GBI

GBI is an international nonprofit organization and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Accredited Standards Developer dedicated to improving the built environment’s impact on climate and society. Founded in 2004, the organization is the global provider of the Green Globes®, Journey to Net Zero™, Guiding Principles Compliance, and Ascent Building Certification™ and assessment programs. GBI also issues professional credentials, including the Green Globes Professional (GGP) and Guiding Principles Compliance Professional (GPCP). To learn more about opportunities to become involved with GBI, contact info@thegbi.org or visit the GBI website at www.thegbi.org.

MEDIA CONTACT
Megan Baker, GBI Vice President of Engagement, megan@thegbi.org, (971) 256-7174

SOURCE: Green Building Initiative

FENGDU ORANGES POWER MODERN AGRICULTURE, RURAL PROSPERITY IN CHONGQING

by jezzabellemente, posted in Uncategorized

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 12 (Bernama) — The harvest season is in full swing in Longkong Town of Fengdu County, a major orange-producing hub in west China’s Chongqing Municipality, as freshly picked fruit moves rapidly from orchards to nationwide markets through an increasingly modernised supply chain.

At the Common Prosperity Orange Orchard in Nanzhu Village, crates of oranges are transported directly to Fengdu Orange’s integrated production base, where the fruit is cleaned, polished, dried, graded and packaged before being shipped across the country.

According to a statement, to ensure smooth operations during the peak harvest is Bai Xiaohua, director of a local agricultural development professional cooperative, who coordinates picking schedules between orchards and processing facilities while personally overseeing quality control.

Raised among orange trees, Bai founded the cooperative in 2018 to organise scattered growers and promote standardised, large-scale citrus production through unified management.

To strengthen technical capacity, Bai conducts monthly on-site training sessions for farmers and has actively introduced modern practices. After completing professional agricultural programmes and study visits across China, he obtained a drone operation licence in 2020 and pioneered the use of drones for orchard management, which has since been adopted across the cooperative.

His efforts reflect the broader upgrading of Fengdu’s orange industry. Longkong Town now has 25,000 mu of orange orchards, producing more than 30,000 tonnes annually with an output value of 110 million Chinese yuan. Its citrus received National Geographical Indication trademark certification in 2011. (100 Chinese yuan = RM56.58)

Nanzhu Village was named a national speciality product demonstration village in 2019, while Fengdu oranges have been exported to the Middle East and other markets, establishing a strong regional brand.

Countywide, Fengdu Orange covers 52,500 mu, with an annual output reaching 70,000 tonnes and a total income of 150 million Chinese yuan. Through cooperative organisation, digital tools and brand development, the local orange industry is evolving from a traditional speciality into a modern agricultural value chain driving sustained rural prosperity

— BERNAMA

PACIFIC PRIME LEADS EARTHQUAKE RELIEF EFFORT IN NORTHERN CEBU

by jezzabellemente, posted in Uncategorized

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 31 (Bernama) — Pacific Prime has successfully led an emergency relief mission to support victims of the earthquake that struck northern Cebu last month, leaving hundreds displaced, mourning, and in urgent need of shelter, food, and clean water.

In a statement, Pacific Prime said 57 team members and volunteers helped gather and pack relief goods, with 25 volunteers travelling north to deliver supplies directly to the most severely affected areas.

In addition, staff from Pacific Prime offices in Cebu, Singapore, and Dubai contributed generously, with donations matched by global leaders Neil Raymond and Vittoria Depino. A total of US$5,400 was raised, allowing the team to support over 450 individuals and families across five municipalities. (US$1=RM4.19)

“In times of crises, our team rises – driven by compassion, collaboration, and community spirit. A huge thank you goes out to all the volunteers for their dedication and courage, enduring long hours and tough conditions.

“It is truly inspiring to be part of an organisation that leads with heart, one that lives its values of Impact, Courage, and Selflessness,” said Pacific Prime Cebu head, Lohrie May Labra.

The initial wave of aid reached 354 families and individuals, while the following week, with remaining funds and support from Lacson & Lacson, additional relief such as drinking water, blankets, sleeping mats, and sacks of rice was delivered to over 100 residents still living in tents due to ongoing aftershocks.

This initiative, while not part of the originally planned corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities for the year, became one of the most meaningful, reflecting Pacific Prime’s commitment to its CSR pillars, where Community stands as a core value – driving efforts to support those in need and build resilience in times of crisis.

Established in 2000, Pacific Prime is an award-winning global insurance brokerage and employee benefits specialist that offers individual and corporate insurance solutions.

— BERNAMA

Mitsui Chemicals Group partners PLASTIFY for beach cleaning at Coney Island

by jezzabellemente, posted in Uncategorized

Photo: Group photograph of our employees and family members with PLASTIFY

Spreading awareness on marine trash in support for World Cleanup Day

SINGAPORE, Sept 30 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) — Mitsui Chemicals Asia Pacific (MCAP) – In the early hours of 20 September 2025, a dedicated group of 15 employees from the affiliates in Singapore and their family members came together to make a tangible impact on the environment in celebration of World Cleanup Day. Partnering with sustainability-focused organization PLASTIFY, the team conducted a coastal cleanup that resulted in the collection of more than 145kg of trash.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250929028553/en/

The cleanup effort, under the group’s global cleanup name, Clean-up Caravan, uncovered a wide range of marine debris, including washed-up jerry cans, polystyrene foam bits, cigarette butts, and single-use plastic bags. It is a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges posed by plastic pollution.

The event was part of a global movement that unites millions of volunteers across the world to tackle the mismanaged waste crisis. The group’s efforts contribute to a cleaner, healthier planet and underscore the importance of collective action.

About Mitsui Chemicals Group Clean-up Caravan

Launched in 2019, the Clean-up Caravan brings affiliates worldwide together to prevent litter from entering waterways and oceans. In Singapore, employees are encouraged to join these activities to better understand litter issues and promote proper waste disposal and recycling.

About Mitsui Chemicals Group in Singapore

Singapore is home to five affiliates for the Mitsui Chemicals Group. Besides MCAP, the Asia Pacific Regional Headquarters of Mitsui Chemicals Inc., the four other entities are Mitsui Elastomers Singapore, Prime Evolue Singapore, SDC Technologies Asia Pacific, and Mitsui Chemicals Singapore R&D Centre.

Being the Asia Pacific Regional Headquarters, MCAP strives to drive business growth, provide robust functional services to regional affiliates and businesses, and deliver value to customers by leveraging on the strengths of all affiliates in the Mitsui Chemicals Group.

About Plastify

PLASTIFY recycles plastic waste into functional goods, including custom products and furniture, and facilitates educational workshops.

View source version on businesswire.com: 
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250929028553/en/

Contact

For enquiries about this release, please contact the following:
Eric Lim
Corporate & Marketing Communication
Mitsui Chemicals Asia Pacific, Ltd.
eric.lim@mitsuichemicals.com

Source : Mitsui Chemicals Asia Pacific, Ltd.

ECO FORUM GLOBAL GUIYANG 2025 TO FOCUS ON GREEN TRANSFORMATION

by jezzabellemente, posted in Uncategorized

KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 (Bernama) — The Guizhou Provincial Government has announced that the Eco Forum Global Guiyang 2025 will be convened from July 5 to 6 in the provincial capital of Guiyang, following approval by the State Council of China.

Hosted by the People’s Government of Guizhou Province, the two-day event will carry the theme “Harmonious Coexistence between Humans and Nature – Discussing Global Development and Green Transformation” and is expected to draw approximately 800 delegates, according to a statement.

As China’s sole national and international forum focused on the theme of eco-civilisation, the Eco Forum Global Guiyang has steadily built its profile over the course of 12 previous editions, earning growing attention on the global stage.

Organisers aim to position this year’s iteration as a dynamic platform for dialogue, partnership, and actionable outcomes, particularly in the realm of sustainable development and ecological governance.

Preparations for the forum are reportedly progressing in an orderly fashion, with a rich programme of activities scheduled, including the opening ceremony, thematic forums, off-site visits, promotional displays, green investment promotion, and the debut of new environmental protection products and technologies.

Notably, this year marks a significant step forward in international collaboration. For the first time since 2018, international organisations will play a substantive role in shaping the forum’s agenda. Of the 20 planned thematic forums, 11 will feature participation by international entities, with four forums to be independently hosted by these organisations.

The forum also serves as an extension of China’s engagement with major multilateral climate processes. It is expected to respond to key themes arising from global environmental conferences such as COP16 and COP29, with a focus on practical cooperation in areas including climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation.

A core objective of the 2025 edition is to share China’s experience in eco-civilisation and green transformation, particularly with developing nations across the Global South, reinforcing cooperation in sustainable development. The forum also seeks to catalyse global efforts to address what it identifies as the three pressing environmental challenges.

Through this initiative, Guizhou is positioning itself as a hub for international green collaboration and innovation, seeking to “pool wisdom” and “attract investment”, empowering new quality productivity and high-quality development.

— BERNAMA