Tag: sustainability

Arla Foods Ingredients reduces gas emissions through significant investment in Videbæk

by jezzabellemente, posted in Uncategorized

VIDEBÆK, Denmark, Aug 19 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Arla Foods Ingredients is taking a major step towards reducing its CO2 emissions on dairy level. A newly completed 8 million euro investment in a new heating system for Production Tower 4 at the Danmark Protein plant in Videbæk will deliver annual savings of 2,500 tonnes of CO2, equivalent to the annual heating consumption of more than 900 households using natural gas.

As part of the project, the tower is being converted from operating with a gas heater to being able to switch between heat from the plant’s existing steam system and a new electric heater. This will reduce the use of natural gas and allow renewable electricity to take over part of the operation. Calculations show that Tower 4 will be able to operate 100% on renewable electricity for 23% of the time.

“This investment improves operational reliability, strengthen security of supply and reduce our climate impact.” says Mogens Bøgh Pedersen, Director of the Danmark Protein plant.

Electrification significantly reduces CO2 emissions

Switching between steam and electricity allows Arla Foods Ingredients to use electricity when wind and solar power drive prices down and reduce consumption when prices rise, supporting flexible consumption in the Danish power grid while creating a strong financial business case.

The new solution is an important part of Arla’s strategy to electrify production and provides greater flexibility in energy consumption, enhanced reliability and opportunities for future development.

While the new heating system in Tower 4 is now operational, a similar project is being planned for Tower 5. Together, the investments in Towers 4 and 5 will reduce CO2 emissions by up to 5,200 tonnes annually, equivalent to the annual heating consumption of more than 1,900 households.

“In addition to delivering substantial CO2e savings, this investment also represents a very strong business case. We will also seek to scale across our other sites,” says Paul van Rooij, Vice President, Supply Chain, Arla Foods Ingredients.

Facts about the investment

  • Investment in new heating system for Tower 4: approx. EUR 8.3 million
  • Annual CO2 reduction (Tower 4): approx. 2,500 tonnes
  • Total potential (Towers 4 + 5): up to 5,200 tonnes of CO2
  • Based on Danish Energy Agency standards, 2,500 tonnes of CO2 corresponds to the annual heating consumption of 919 households, while 5,200 tonnes corresponds to 1,911 households.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8ab0644d-a9e5-4c41-a217-6e33b0a4863e

Media contact: hz@ispiderpr.com

SOURCE: Arla Foods Ingredients

HIT CO-HOSTS CLIMATE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE, JOINTLY LAUNCHES INITIATIVE

by jezzabellemente, posted in Uncategorized

KUALA LUMPUR, July 27 (Bernama) — The second International Conference on Climate Leadership, held in Harbin from July 18 to 20, gathered more than 300 experts and scholars from 111 universities and research institutions across 23 countries and regions.

According to a statement, the three-day conference was co-hosted by the Business School, Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), the Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction, UCL, and the Chinese Economic Association UK/Europe.

With representatives from international organisations such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), businesses, and leading academic journals, participants explored cutting-edge developments and global practices in climate leadership, contributing Chinese wisdom and solutions to global climate governance.

The Climate Leadership Initiative, jointly proposed by HIT and UNDP, was officially launched at the conference, highlighting the role of science, technology, and business disciplines in connecting climate technology innovation, business practices, and governance decision-making.

It calls for stronger collaboration among business schools, science and engineering faculties, research institutions, and enterprises, marking HIT’s significant step in leveraging its unique disciplinary strengths to help Chinese universities shift from participants to leaders in global climate governance.

In addition, the conference also featured a world-class academic lineup, with keynote speakers including fellows of the Royal Society of Canada, the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia, the European Academy of Sciences, and the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

Distinguished experts also included a former deputy director of the Regional Cooperation Division at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), an executive council member of the China Energy Research Society, and an assistant resident representative of UNDP in China.

Editors-in-chief from leading journals also gathered at the Journal Editors Session to discuss emerging trends, while five international organisations, namely UNDP, UNEP, WWF, WRI and CBI, participated extensively. UNDP also organised its first dedicated joint session, highlighting the conference’s international influence.

As a leading university integrating science, technology, and business education, HIT has built an international platform for collaboration. Through co-hosting the conference and launching the Climate Leadership Initiative, HIT demonstrated that Chinese universities can serve not only as participants, but also as agenda setters and drivers in global climate governance.

— BERNAMA

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