Category Archives: PR Newswire

PR Newswire

Merck Collaborates with Acceleration Consortium on Open-Sourcing AI-Driven Experimentation Planner

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  • Bayesian optimization engine that already powers dozens of use cases at Merck now open sourced to foster adoption
  • Close partnership to enable the self-driving labs of tomorrow

DARMSTADT, Germany, Dec. 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Merck, a leading science and technology company, and the Acceleration Consortium, based at the University of Toronto, Canada, today jointly announced that their AI-driven experimentation planner Bayesian Back End (BayBE) is now available open-source on GitHub, with an unrestricted Apache 2.0 license. The joint open-source initiative combines the Merck portfolio of use cases with the Acceleration Consortium’s world-leading excellence in self-driving labs.

“The release and maintenance of open-source code for scientific discovery is imperative for the advancement of self-driving labs. This collaboration moves the needle of multi-stakeholder work in the area of self-driving labs. I am thrilled about our collaboration with Merck on developing and publishing software for AI-assisted experimental planning. As society faces ever-growing challenges, we have no time for science as usual. With this software, we can revolutionize the way experiments are designed and conducted, accelerating discoveries and driving progress in ways we have never imagined before,” said Alán Aspuru-Guzik, Professor of Chemistry and Computer Science at the University of Toronto, and Director of the Acceleration Consortium, which recently launched a seven-year program worth CA$ 200 million, supported by the Canada First Research Excellence Fund.

“This development is a great outcome of our focus on ‘innovation powered by data and digital’. Together with our partners at the Acceleration Consortium, we continue to push productivity with digital tools such as BayBE. Merck continues to invest in digital technologies that can disrupt the healthcare, life science and electronics industries,” said Laura Matz, Chief Science and Technology Officer at Merck. “BayBE unites several advanced technologies under one umbrella and focuses on making them useful for industrial purposes. While it already has many internal use cases, we are excited to share it with a wider community through open source. What started out as a cross-sectorial advancement can now become a cross-industrial one,” Matz continued.

BayBE was built jointly across all three business sectors of Merck. It is a general-purpose toolbox for smart iterative experimentation with emphasis on important add-ons for chemistry and materials science. It enables a more systematic approach by providing recommendations for the next best experiment, leading to better results faster. BayBE can also act as the “brain” for automated equipment, enabling entirely closed-loop self-driving laboratories.

The traditional approach for design of experiments is largely based on intuition and experience of the experimentalist. This can lead to considerable variation between different labs and is particularly challenging for complex campaigns that aim to optimize numerous properties simultaneously. Merck faces these challenges on an every-day basis, for instance as part of experimental optimization campaigns in research, product development and operations. Artificial intelligence (AI) enables novel ways of tackling these problems and reducing the time needed and money spent as well as increasing sustainability.

The BayBE software already powers dozens of use-cases at Merck, for instance:

  • VRP ExcipientFinder: Part of the viscosity reduction platform service of the Life Science business sector of Merck; a tool to accelerate selection of viscosity reducing excipients
  • BayChem: Self-service experimental planner available to everyone at Merck, directly enabling our lab users
  • Self-driving autonomous flow chemistry at Merck: closed-loop platform in the R&D of the Life Science business sector that optimizes chemical reactions fully autonomously

All Merck press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck website. Please go to www.merckgroup.com/subscribe to register online, change your selection or discontinue this service.

About Merck

Merck, a leading science and technology company, operates across life science, healthcare and electronics. More than 64,000 employees work to make a positive difference to millions of people’s lives every day by creating more joyful and sustainable ways to live. From providing products and services that accelerate drug development and manufacturing as well as discovering unique ways to treat the most challenging diseases to enabling the intelligence of devices – the company is everywhere. In 2022, Merck generated sales of € 22.2 billion in 66 countries.

Scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to Merck’s technological and scientific advances. This is how Merck has thrived since its founding in 1668. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed company. Merck holds the global rights to the Merck name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the business sectors of Merck operate as MilliporeSigma in life science, EMD Serono in healthcare, and EMD Electronics in electronics.

PR Newswire

ACX and Sylvera partner to broaden access to high-quality carbon credit investment and trading

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  • Carbon data provider and exchange collaborate to launch a standardized contract of highly-rated carbon credits, promoting quality in the market.
  • The credits will be available for trading on ACX’s exchange.
  • It is the first step in the partnership as the two companies team up to bring further transparency and improve accessibility in carbon credit trading.

ABU DHABI, UAE and SINGAPORE and LONDON, Dec. 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — ACX, the leading environmental markets exchange, has partnered with Sylvera, a leading carbon data provider, to develop the first standardized contract of high-quality carbon credits rated A-AAA available to trade on ACX’s exchange.

Purchasing carbon credits, which fund projects around the world like protecting rainforests from deforestation or degradation, is one of the most established and scalable ways to channel finance to effective climate outcomes. ACX’s SYLVERA ‘A’ Nature Tonne (SAN) contract accepts only carbon credits from Sylvera’s highest-rated projects — A and above (AA & AAA) with co-benefits score of three and above — giving buyers confidence that they are investing in credits high in environmental integrity. In addition, the contract ensures projects comply with social and environmental safeguards, reducing complexities and simplifying decision-making in the trading process. The nature-based carbon credits will be from REDD+, Afforestation, Reforestation, and Restoration (ARR), and Improved Forest Management (IFM) projects of all vintages.

The partnership comes at a critical juncture for carbon credits. As targets for net zero reach ever closer, the carbon markets are poised for significant growth, with some estimating it will reach $250bn by 2030. However, investors need robust, unconflicted information and accurate impact assessment of these carbon credits. This standardized contract is a first of its kind, giving buyers a scalable way to access high-quality carbon credits. Assessed against Sylvera’s rigorous project evaluation methodologies and cutting-edge technology and held by a secure and regulated exchange, buyers can direct more funding to the projects having maximum climate impact.

The collaboration is the first step in the partnership between the two companies to build innovative solutions that increase transparency and drive simplicity in carbon trading.

Sam Gill, Co-Founder and President at Sylvera, said, “Exchanges like ACX have a critical role to play in providing investors with more robust data and information at the point of decision making to ensure the effectiveness of climate action investments and measure and benchmark progress against net zero targets. Together, we can build a more transparent, comprehensible, and high-quality voluntary carbon market that drives forward real climate impact.”

Wei Mei Hum, Global Head of Environmental Products at ACX, said, “We have observed that the market has been on the search for ‘High-Quality Carbon Credits’ for over two years, but with a practical way of identifying such credits eluding most buyers, barring those with the specialized expertise or access to in-depth information on projects. Partnering with Sylvera has allowed for the creation of a standardized contract aligned with Sylvera’s rigorous ratings methodology. It provides assurance to the market that they will be accessing a grade of truly high-quality credits derived from projects assessed based not only on environmental integrity but also their co-benefits. We hope that the SAN contract will further precipitate the scaling up of truly high-quality VCM.”

About Sylvera

Sylvera is a leading carbon data provider on a mission to incentivize investment in real climate action. To help organizations ensure they’re making the most effective investments toward net zero, we build software that independently and accurately automates the evaluation of carbon projects that capture, remove, or avoid emissions. With Sylvera’s data and tools, businesses and governments can confidently invest in, benchmark, deliver, and report real climate impact. Co-founded in 2020 by Dr. Allister Furey and Sam Gill, the company is headquartered in London with additional offices in Belgrade and New York. To date, Sylvera has raised over $96 million from investors such as Balderton Capital, Index Ventures, Insight Partners, LocalGlobe, and Salesforce Ventures. Learn more at  www.sylvera.com.

About ACX Group:

ACX Group, including ACX Abu Dhabi (ACX Ltd) and ACX Singapore (AirCarbon Pte. Ltd.), which operate environmental markets platforms in Abu Dhabi and Singapore respectively, caters to corporates, financial traders, carbon project developers and other industry stakeholders. ACX Group provides participants with efficient and transparent trading platforms that are user-friendly, seamless and offer the lowest transaction fees in the market. Leveraging distributed ledger technology, ACX Group facilitates and scales growth of the environmental product markets to align with global ambitions of achieving Net Zero.

ACX Group is proud to be a member of the International Emissions Trading Association (IETA) and the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC), further enhancing its commitment to sustainability and responsible trading practices for carbon and other environmental products. ACX Group has garnered international recognition as the Best Carbon Exchange globally in Environmental Finance’s esteemed Voluntary Carbon Market Rankings for three consecutive years (2021, 2022, 2023), solidifying its position as a leader in the industry.

For more information, please contact info@acx.net or visit www.acx.net.

PR Newswire

Foreign Languages Press: China’s active role in promoting human rights within the framework of global governance

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BEIJING, Dec. 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — The Foreign Languages Press recently invited a panel of scholars to evaluate its multi-language publication titled “Xi Jinping: On Respecting and Protecting Human Rights.”

Urdu Cover of Xi Jinping's Book: On Respecting and Protecting Human Rights
Urdu Cover of Xi Jinping’s Book: On Respecting and Protecting Human Rights

Liu Huawen, executive director and researcher at Human Rights Research Center of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, believes that the book provides a comprehensive review of President Xi Jinping’s approach to respecting and protecting human rights. The book also provides important insights into how China plays an active role in promoting human rights within the framework of global governance. Active participation in promoting human rights within the framework of global governance embodies an important approach and major milestone for China to achieve human rights-based development. In the book Xi Jinping: On Respecting and Protecting Human Rights, President Xi Jinping illustrated four points.

First, countries around the world should practice true multilateralism, and safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order underpinned by international law.

In his speech at the general debate of the United Nations General Assembly on September 21, 2021, Xi said, “…we must improve global governance and practice true multilateralism. In the world, there is only one international system, i.e. the international system with the United Nations at its core. There is only one international order, i.e. the international order underpinned by international law.” He also stressed the importance of the UN to “advance, in a balanced manner, work in all the three areas of security, development and human rights.”

Second, all countries should emphasize the importance of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and create a virtuous cycle where cooperation, development and human rights reinforce one another.

China is the first developing country to realize the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), contributing over 70 percent to global poverty reduction. While managing its own affairs well, China is also an active player in driving global economic growth. An advocate and practitioner of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, China highly values the formulation and implementation of the United Nations development agenda.

Third, China has devoted serious energy to the development of developing countries and South-South cooperation.

Being the largest developing country itself, China faces the same or similar task with other developing countries along the path to survive and thrive through economic and social development. In fact, a basic principle in China’s foreign policy is to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with third world countries.

Fourth, every country should uphold the common values of humanity, playing an active role in the building of a global community of shared future.

Thanks to China’s efforts, the United Nations Security Council, the Economic and Social Council and the Human Rights Council have included the concept of building a global community of shared future in a number of resolutions, making it an increasingly significant component in international human rights discourse. The international community has achieved the consensus that human rights should be respected and protected, and that solidarity and cooperation should be strengthened. Promoting human rights within the framework of global governance is anchored in the common values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom illuminated by President Xi Jinping, and in the building of a global community of shared future.

To read more about the multi-language publication, please visit the website of the Foreign Languages Press: https://flp.com.cn/en/.

Media contact: 
Ms. Liu Yuhong
Phone: 008610-68995846
Email: 1542190629@qq.com

PR Newswire

IFS Appoints Max Roberts as Chief Operating Officer and Belinda Finch as Chief Information Officer

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LONDON, Dec. 5, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — IFS, the global cloud enterprise software company, today announced that it has made two senior appointments with Max Roberts and Belinda Finch joining the company’s executive leadership team as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Information Officer respectively. The appointments underpin the company’s consistent performance trajectory as well as its longer-term plans for growth. 

Max Roberts joins IFS from Stripe, a financial infrastructure platform for businesses, where he was CEO of the UK business and latterly led the EMEA organization through significant growth. His career spans over 25 years in the technology sector and specifically the enterprise software space where he held a wide variety of leadership positions at Oracle, Salesforce, and Stripe. He has also been a non-executive director of UK Finance.

As he steps into his new COO role, Roberts will work with the executive and wider leadership teams to develop IFS’s longer-term strategic products and services portfolios and develop the company’s strategic alliances and partnerships. Priorities will be aligned to continuing to drive innovation that not only meets customers’ needs, but also anticipates and responds to market demand, and delivers sustained revenue and margin growth for IFS. Roberts will take responsibility for IFS’s Industry, Service Management and Enterprise Asset Management business units, and support IFS global sales and customer success teams in customer engagements.

Belinda Finch joins IFS from mobile giant Three, where, as CIO, she led Three’s digital transformation program and worked closely with their product teams to drive system developments that would enhance customer experience. Finch’s previous experience includes senior leadership roles at Centrica and Vodafone as well as at Accenture and KPMG.

Belinda’s leadership values have been recognized with accolades such as Women in Tech Excellence Awards 2022, CIO of the Year Finalist and MVNO’s World Congress Woman of the Year Awards 2023.

In her role as IFS CIO, Finch will oversee the continuation of the company’s digital transformation journey and work with the executive leadership team to maximize the adoption of AI across the entire organization, driving productivity and effectiveness as the company strives to deliver an outstanding customer experience.

IFS CEO Darren Roos commented: “I am delighted to welcome Max and Belinda to IFS. They are joining at a very exciting time, and I am confident that their energy and perspectives will have a very positive impact as we enter our next phase of growth.” Roos continued: “They both bring strong expertise and a proven track record that is well aligned to our space and, in Belinda’s case, to one of our core industries.” He concluded: “I am proud that the brand awareness IFS has achieved over the last few years and our consistent performance are attracting such incredible talent. I know that their combined experience and vision will be hugely instrumental as we accelerate our growth journey.”  

The company also shared that Michael Ouissi and Sal Laher will move to IGT1, the Holding Group for IFS, as COO and CDIO respectively, and take more central roles in ensuring long-term value creation from recent and future M&A activities.

About IFS:

IFS develops and delivers cloud enterprise software for companies around the world who manufacture and distribute goods, build and maintain assets, and manage service-focused operations. Within our single platform, our industry specific products are innately connected to a single data model and use embedded digital innovation so that our customers can be their best when it really matters to their customers-at the Moment of Service™. The industry expertise of our people and of our growing ecosystem, together with a commitment to deliver value at every single step, has made IFS a recognized leader and the most recommended supplier in our sector. Our team of over 6,000 employees every day live our values of agility, trustworthiness and collaboration in how we support our 6,500+ customers. Learn more about how our enterprise software solutions can help your business today at ifs.com.

IFS Press Contacts:

MEA& APJ: Adam Gillbe
Corporate Communications
Email: press@ifs.com
Phone: +44 7775 114 856
USA: Mairi Morgan
Corporate Communications
Email: press@ifs.com
Phone: +1 520 396 2155

The following files are available for download:

PR Newswire

The University of Melbourne Collaborates with Cognizant to boost student engagement

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Cognizant is helping implement Tealium Customer Data Platform for the University of Melbourne to personalize the student and alumni journey 

TEANECK, N.J., Dec. 5, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Cognizant (NASDAQ: CTSH) today announced that it was selected by The University of Melbourne (UoM or the University), a leading international university with a tradition of excellence in teaching and research, to help implement the Tealium Customer Data Platform (CDP). The University of Melbourne is consistently ranked among the world’s top universities. 

The University of Melbourne awarded Cognizant the brief to support the creation of data-led and personalised experiences for students, staff and alumni as it looks to enhance meaningful constituent engagement. 

Ai Lin Choo Macdonald, Executive Director, Communications and Marketing (Acting) from The University of Melbourne, explained that the CDP is designed to empower UoM’s constituents with relevant content and experiences based on their intent and what is known about them to inspire engagement with the University on a deeper and continued basis. 

“As we continually undertake processes of digital transformation, we have the opportunity to elevate the student experience. We expect this journey will prove invaluable for the university, students and alumni as we create tailored lines of communication, based on individual needs.” 

“Coming into this transformation, our mission is to efficiently and effectively communicate with past, present and even future students, helping them engage with UoM on their terms.” 

Speaking to the collaboration, Kristen Anderson, Director at Cognizant leading marketing modernisation, highlighted the company’s enthusiasm in working with The University of Melbourne. 

“We are excited to be collaborating again with one of Australia’s preeminent universities. And, through the implementation of Tealium CDP, we look forward to helping UoM improve engagement with students, alumni, and community.”

About Cognizant 
Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) engineers modern businesses. We help our clients modernize technology, reimagine processes and transform experiences so they can stay ahead in our fast-changing world. Together, we’re improving everyday life. See how at www.cognizant.com or @cognizant.

For more information, contact:

PR Newswire

Ubie’s AI Symptom Checker Used by 2 Million Americans in First Year, Fueling Pharma Partnerships

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Ubie, a trailblazing AI-driven healthcare company, has achieved a new milestone with its AI Symptom Checker, surpassing 2 million uses in the U.S. in just over a year. Leveraging this expanding user engagement, Ubie is advancing its partnerships with pharmaceutical companies to promote early disease detection and treatment. Collaborations with industry giants like Takeda, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Pfizer exemplify Ubie’s extensive efforts across a broad range of medical conditions, promoting improved patient care through cutting-edge digital health solutions.

NEW YORK, Dec. 5, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Ubie, a forerunner in the digital health arena, proudly announces a notable achievement that underscores its commitment to revolutionizing healthcare: Ubie’s AI Symptom Checker has been used more than 2 million times in the U.S. since its introduction to the market just over a year ago. This milestone demonstrates the significant traction the tool has gained among individuals eager to better understand and manage their health.

Since Ubie’s expansion into the U.S. market, the company has been focused on empowering individuals to recognize symptoms early and pursue timely healthcare discussions. This process provides users with in-depth insights into their symptoms, a comprehensive analysis of potential diseases, signs to look out for, and the ideal specialist to consult.

As an evidence-based AI company, data lies at the core of Ubie’s operations and Ubie’s unique relationship with its users allows the collection of differentiated quantitative and qualitative data. Based on user feedback, approximately 75% of patients plan to seek professional medical advice after checking their symptoms with Ubie, reflecting Ubie’s ability to promote high-value care. U.S. user stories illustrate the benefits of Ubie’s AI Symptom Checker:

  • A woman in her 30s, experiencing eye pain and dizziness, utilized the Symptom Checker, which suggested possible health concerns and the importance of a medical assessment. She was later diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), validating the importance of early investigation into her symptoms.
  • An 80-year-old man was prompted by Ubie’s AI to consult a pulmonologist, which led to an early diagnosis of lung cancer, emphasizing the Symptom Checker’s role in early detection.
  • A woman in her 50s was guided by the Symptom Checker to seek medical attention for what turned out to be accurate identifications of bone diseases, highlighting the tool’s effectiveness in early symptom identification.
  • A 60s woman with dizziness mentioned, “The questions you asked matched all of my symptoms. Some I didn’t think to mention to my doctor at the time. I will raise them on my next visit. Thank you.”

Kota Kubo, CEO of Ubie, expresses his enthusiasm: “Surpassing 2 million uses in the U.S. in just a year is more than a number—it’s a marker of our growing role in helping Americans promptly address health concerns and seek professional care. Our technology is designed to complement the work of healthcare providers, bridging the gap from initial concern to professional care.”

Ubie’s collaborations with leading pharmaceutical companies demonstrate the effectiveness of digital health in addressing various medical conditions:

  • In Apr 2023, Ubie partnered with Takeda to tackle Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) through digital transformation initiatives (Press Release).
  • In Mar 2023, Ubie and Pfizer facilitated provider visits for over 17,000 OAB patients in Japan through the integration of “Ubie AI Symptom Checker” and “UUI Consultation Room” (Press Release)
  • In Feb 2022, Ubie worked with Boehringer Ingelheim on a project focused on Pulmonary Fibrosis, enhancing awareness and management of this condition (Press Release).

Recent press releases reflect Ubie’s commitment to enhancing the healthcare experience:

  • The launch of Ubie’s new Generative AI feature for doctors, improving medical record documentation with a 90% User Satisfaction rate (Press Release).
  • Partnership with Google’s Android platform “Health Connect (Beta)” as a launch partner in Japan (Press Release).
  • Successful closure of a $45 million Series C funding round and establish of a New York subsidiary (Press Release).

For more information about Ubie and its AI Symptom Checker, please visit Ubie AI Symptom Checker.

Contact:

Ryosei Hatakeyama
Ubie Inc.
1460 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
Email: pr@ubiehealth.com 

Note to Editors: For more details or to arrange an interview with CEO Kota Kubo, please reach out to Ryosei Hatakeyama at the contact information above.

Source: Ubie, Inc.

PR Newswire

CGTN: On climate change, we’re running out of time, not options

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BEIJING, Dec. 4, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Beijing, the strong, fast-beating heart of Chinese prosperity, has been known as a safe and stable city free from natural calamities. But not the summer of 2023. Throughout the season, the mercury soared, with daily highs consistently hitting over 40°C. Then as the capital had a relative respite from sweltering heat, there came the heavy rain, flooding and displacing thousands of people.

As Beijing recovered, some horrible but similar trend is echoing all around the globe: the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century scorched Lahaina, Hawaii; the devastating floods that destroyed a quarter of the city of Derna, Lybia; extreme heat and worsen drought in Chile and the Horn of Africa; rising sea level for island countries… “Humanity has opened the gates of hell,” as the UN Secretary-General António Guterres noted, “we are heading towards a dangerous and unstable world.”

Although the alarm bell keeps ringing, we should not lose hope and give up. But rather, it’s high time to take actions. China and the United States, as the world’s two largest economies, have shown their political will by the milestone Sunnylands Statement. And looking back a bit further, from the Kyoto Protocol to the Paris Agreement, binding targets to limit emission and temperature increase have been set through joint efforts.

And China has walked the talk for achieving its goal of carbon peaking and neutrality. From transforming deserts to cleaning up the air, to developing new technology, shifting energy structure, and raising public awareness on a healthier lifestyle. China is doing everything to cultivate a more sustainable cycle of nature, to pay off previous ecological debts, avoid new debts, and strive to save our planet in more creative ways.

If climate change is a global concern, the burden is not equally shared. On the one hand, developed countries are responsible for most of the heat-trapping emissions since the Industrial Revolution. On the other, developing countries have lower emissions, but are bearing the brunt of a hotter climate. Promises from some of the world’s biggest economies haven’t been panning out, delayed by political deadlock, bureaucratic hurdles and debates over new rules to expedite aid from development banks and private donors.

An injustice burns at the heart of the climate crisis and its flame is scorching hopes and possibilities, as world leaders are warning. “We cannot continue,” Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados called, “to put the interest of a few before the lives of many.”

How to make sure the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, with all pulling in the same direction? It needs leadership, vision, and multilateralism. China, along with the rest of the world, is taking the lead to give its best shot, bringing down the price of renewable energy, sharing knowhow for deploying sustainable projects, and transitioning to a low-carbon era. With climate change being a global issue, only in a global approach and by joint efforts can we translate the will into concrete outcomes, and mitigate the climate we changed.

PR Newswire

EcoBalance, KazBeef, and rTek Launch Climate Smart Beef Pilot Program at COP28

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DUBAI, UAE, Dec. 3, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — EcoBalance Global, a US-based leader in carbon storage projects, Kazbeef, a subsidiary of Yerkin Tatishev’s Kusto Group, and rTek, a Rakurs Consulting Group company, have partnered to launch the first-ever pilot ranch outside the United States that will deliver the world’s first climate smart beef, using carbon insets, backed by 3rd party validation and blockchain technology.

The pilot has been launched at COP28 in Dubai following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the companies. The project will not only enable blockchain transacted environmentally sustainable cattle outside the United States but will also show the world that the livestock and farming industry can be part of the net-zero solution.

The foundation for the KazBeef pilot is EcoBalance Global’s Framework that supports ranches in deploying a specialized rotational grazing program which allows increased carbon capture in the soil, and utilizing machine learning satellite technology to monitor sustainable land management, focusing on accurate carbon accounting. This is backed up by the Framework’s carbon trade and risk management platform to administer all the requirements of the Framework in conjunction with the blockchain.

As part of the program, rTek, a Rakurs Consulting Group company based in Almaty, Kazakhstan, will leverage its expertise in remote sensing and MRV development, particularly in precision agriculture, to support the pilot program.

The 10-year pilot project is expected to demonstrate the world’s first carbon inset beef supply chain. It is scalable, with the goal of using EcoBalance’s Framework as a global standard for sustainable and climate smart beef supply.  

Tellan Steffan, EcoBalance Global said:

“We are delighted to launch the pilot project with the signing of the MoU with our partners at KazBeef and rTek at COP28. This program will enable Kazakh farmers to have the world’s first working carbon storage project on their land that can be scaled and the means to create and market low carbon beef products.

One-third of all human-caused greenhouse-gas emissions, are generated from food systems, and it is hoped that the EcoBalance Framework can offer a comprehensive solution for the reduction of carbon emissions in the agricultural sector and establishing a template that can be scaled globally.” 

Established in 2011, KazBeef has consistently showcased its dedication to environmentally conscious farming practices, while maintaining a high quality operation which includes more than 15,000 heads of cattle and produces more 6,000 tons of beef per annum.

In its partnership with EcoBalance Global, KazBeef has found a partner that is equally focused on the development of pioneering farming methods, driven by a mission to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint and provide new revenue for local farmers.

EcoBalance Global’s pilot ranch in North Dakota has created over 18,000 registered soil carbon credits, while simultaneously producing and tracking 900 head of climate smart cattle.

Commenting on KazBeef’s announcement and its participation at COP28, Yerkin Tatishev, the Chairman of Kusto Group, said:

“Kazbeef is a pioneer in environmentally conscious farming and ranching practices.  Through this new partnership, we are leading the way in carbon capture in agriculture thanks to our partnership with EcoBalance Global. It is my hope that our efforts can be a model to many others and I am delighted that this has also been recognised through our participation in Kazakhstan’s pavilion at COP28.

“COP28 offers a unique opportunity to discuss the ongoing transition in global food production and farming, and I am proud that KazBeef will play an integral role in creating a more sustainable future for us all.”

Dosym Kydyrbayev, Managing Partner, Rakurs Consulting Group, said:

“As we embrace the challenges and opportunities of environmental sustainability in Kazakhstan, it’s crucial to recognize the pivotal role of innovative technologies and data-driven approaches. Companies like rTek are at the forefront of this transformation, offering vital solutions in soil sampling, MRV, standards adoption, and QA processes for carbon projects.

To advance Kazakhstan’s decarbonization goals, the private sector must commit to long-term collaboration with governments, local, and international bodies. With this project and others, we aim to support our nation’s ecological goals but also to position Kazakhstan as a leader in climate action and sustainable development.”

About EcoBalance Global

EcoBalance Global is a US based carbon reduction project developer, consultant, and carbon program manager. We utilize our relationships with farmers, ranchers, and landowners to develop projects that biologically enhance their soil, sequester and store carbon, as well as increase vegetative production. We have developed a robust Soil Carbon Sequestration and Storage Framework (Framework) to assist the agriculture industry at large to lower their carbon footprint.  Our Framework employs methodologies and procedures to address the diverse environmental requirements for farms and ranches around the world.

Through our Framework, we can increase carbon removal and storage rates that we are able to certify through a third-party registry and use verified carbon insets in the Framework life cycle analysis process. We facilitate the use of carbon insets tied to products coming from the land (beef, lamb, cereal grains, etc.). The carbon reduced products enter the supply chain where they may be counted towards Science Based Target Initiatives (SBTi) goals resulting in a low or no carbon footprint product that can be directly tied back to the land it came from. Our business delivers a high value-added quality product that rewards the stewards of the resources for excellent management and provides distributors with a product that they can have complete confidence in.

About KazBeef

KazBeef is a vertically integrated group of companies which produce the leading marbled beef in Kazakhstan under the KazBeef brand. The KazBeef brand and operation reflects the concept of ‘from farm to folk’ and KazBeef is leading an ambitious program to transform Kazakhstan’s vast arable land into a global production and export hub for premium beef products.

KazBeef is a part of the Kusto Group, which employs thousands of people in more than nine countries, across industries as diverse as agriculture, construction materials, real estate, and retail. Chaired by Yerkin Tatishev, Kusto Group is leading the way in developing innovative solutions to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

The company employs over 8,000 staff and has an annual turnover of more than $1bn. In 2013, Kusto Group permanently moved its headquarters from Almaty to Singapore.

About rTek

rTek, a member of Rakurs Consulting Group, has been dedicated to providing sustainable technology solutions in Kazakhstan since 2018.

Their recent focus includes several ongoing natural carbon sequestration projects, involving grasslands, croplands, and afforestation, reflecting a deep commitment to environmental sustainability. 

Based in Almaty, rTek is not only an active contributor to Kazakhstan’s sustainability landscape but also is represented in key industry organizations through its founders’ roles in the Qazaq Green Association, responsible for a new standard for carbon emissions verification in Kazakhstan. rTek also is an active leader in research projects throughout the country, including several key multi-year studies initiated by ADB, World Bank, FAO, and the Kazakh Government focused on rangeland sustainability and agricultural water management, and precision agriculture technologies.

PR Newswire

Global Methane Hub Announces the Enteric Fermentation Research & Development Accelerator, a $200M Agricultural Methane Mitigation Funding Initiative

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The Largest-Ever Globally Coordinated Funding Investment in Livestock Methane Mitigation Research Announced at the COP28 Business & Philanthropy Climate Forum

The public, private and philanthropic partnership includes Bezos Earth Fund, Quadrature Climate Fund, Gerstner Philanthropies, High Tide Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, The Zegar Family Foundation, Danone and more

DUBAI, UAE, Dec. 3, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Today, at COP28, the Global Methane Hub (GMH) announced a more than $200 million funding initiative between public, private and philanthropic partners including the Bezos Earth Fund, Quadrature Climate Fund, Gerstner Philanthropies, High Tide Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, The Zegar Family Foundation, Danone, the Governments of Ireland, New Zealand and the United States, for research and development (R&D) technologies to meaningfully address and reduce methane emissions from livestock. 

The Enteric Fermentation R&D Accelerator, or Accelerator, is the largest-ever, globally coordinated investment of breakthrough research tackling livestock methane emissions. The Global Methane Hub announced the intention to establish the Accelerator at COP27 as an AIM for Climate Innovation Sprint. The Accelerator will unite funders, guided by a science oversight committee, to invest in a globally coordinated research plan. This strategy aims to address gaps in current research and enhance existing efforts. The strategy includes work on exploring new and alternate livestock feed additives, tools to breed low-methane livestock, immunological studies for a methane vaccine, understanding the organisms in the rumen and their functions, and lowering the costs of measurement, essential to generate evidence for regulatory approval and validation of mitigation technologies.

About 40% of the world’s methane emissions come from agriculture, and 70% of that is due to enteric fermentation. This process happens in cows’ digestive systems when sugars are broken down into methane and released through belching. Unfortunately, current research on enteric fermentation is not extensive or coordinated enough to provide efficient and transformative solutions to significantly benefit farmers.

This is the latest milestone to mark the impact GMH is having on global methane reduction efforts since its founding in December 2021.

“The Accelerator is a prime example of the role philanthropy can play in driving substantive climate action and strategically aligning the key players working to solve the most pressing issue of our time,” said Hayden Montgomery, Agriculture Program Director at the Global Methane Hub. “With this effort to synchronize and consolidate public-good research on enteric methane, we aim to make multiple solutions to reduce enteric methane available quickly and provide proof of the efficacy of livestock mitigation technologies.”

“We know that cattle are responsible for most agricultural methane emissions. Promising technological and scientific solutions exist, but for too long, monetary and regulatory barriers have slowed progress and prevented critical research,” said Andy Jarvis, Director of Future of Food at the Bezos Earth Fund. “The Global Methane Hub’s Enteric Methane R&D Accelerator stands to change all of this, unlocking the resources needed to discover and develop low-cost solutions that will dramatically reduce methane emissions from livestock by 2030.”

“Through the Accelerator, we are poised to make a significant impact in driving innovation towards solutions to reduce enteric methane globally,” said Richard Lawrence, director and co-founder of High Tide Foundation. “I would like to thank Danone for stepping up as the first corporation committed to the Accelerator and I encourage others to do the same.”

“As a dairy company, curbing methane emissions is the fastest and most impactful way to slow down global warming,” said Olivier Verdelet, Vice-President Agriculture Cycle at Danone. “To do so, collaboration will be instrumental as we seek for new solutions, speed and sizable impacts. We are eager to collaborate with the Global Methane Hub and other partners to accelerate and test scalable innovations in the field. We believe this will help us build a sustainable, future-fit dairy category that is at the core of our mission to bring health through food to as many people as possible.”

Agricultural methane is projected to increase 40% by 2050. We would have to reduce emissions by 50% in order to meet the accords of the Paris Agreement to keep the global temperature rise to a maximum of 1.5 degrees Celsius. Reducing methane emissions from all sectors, including agriculture, is the fastest way to mitigate climate change.

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EVE Energy Brings Battery Products Showcase for China International Supply Chain Expo

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BEIJING, Dec. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — EVE Energy Co., Ltd., (“EVE Energy”) a leading global lithium-ion battery manufacturer, presents its cutting-edge consumer, power, and energy storage battery products in the inaugural China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) 2023 in Beijing, to demonstrate its commitment to low-carbon emissions and sustainable industry practices.

Immersion Cooling Battery Pack
Immersion Cooling Battery Pack

EVE Energy has been focusing efforts on advancing green energy applications in smart homes, urban transportation, and the energy internet sectors. This approach has been part of EVE Energy’s broader strategy to facilitate the low-carbon transformation of various industries and contribute to building a greener industrial ecosystem. At CISCE 2023, EVE Energy is taking a significant step in sharing a new approach to industry-wide carbon reduction, focusing on comprehensive solutions for consumer, power, and energy storage field.

Centered around the theme “EVE Energy is always by your side“, the company’s booth, located at Booth H21 in Hall W4 (Intelligent Automotive Chain) at China International Exhibition Center (Shunyi Venue) in Beijing, immerses visitors in scenarios of intelligent transportation and smart living. The display includes a diverse array of products, such as, medical batteries, consumer batteries, power batteries, energy storage batteries, battery systems, and three-dimensional models of energy storage containers. Additionally, EVE Energy shares insights into its dual carbon practice and industrial chain layout.

EVE’s consumer batteries are known for their long life, high reliability, enhanced safety, and low discharge rates. Recognized by various industry customers for their high quality and comprehensive solutions, EVE has supplied over 1.7 billion smart meter batteries worldwide, leading in sales and exports for six consecutive years in China. EVE’s consumer lithium-ion products are trusted by top-tier global brands, and its cylindrical batteries power prominent power tool and electric two-wheeler brands.

Also highlighted at the exhibition are its innovative Mr. Big energy storage product, previously showcased at RE+ 2023 in the US, as well as its signature Immerision Cooling Battery Pack, previously showcased at IAA 2023 in Germany. The Immersion Cooling Battery Pack is applied to sedans and PHEVs with high safety, high power and ultra-fast-charging characteristics. The battery pack can be charged from 10%-80% SOC in just 9 minutes which has improved 55%. 

With 22 years of dedication to the lithium battery field, EVE Energy has mastered core technologies in consumer, power, and energy storage batteries, offering comprehensive solutions widely applied in the Internet of Things and Energy Internet domains. The company has established a full industry chain layout, spanning from nickel-cobalt-lithium mining to battery materials, production, recycling, and remanufacturing, positioning itself as a globally influential lithium battery platform company.

In its quest to build a low-carbon industrial infrastructure, EVE Energy has adopted a “next-door supply” strategy, recycling materials from spent batteries to reduce resource waste. The company’s technological innovations have increased the recovery rate of valuable metals and expanded industrial chain cooperation in resource recycling. In November 2022, EVE Power, a subsidiary of EVE Energy, received carbon-neutral certification for its eleventh factory in Hubei. Leveraging its expertise in building zero-carbon factories, EVE Energy aims to complete three such facilities by 2025. Additionally, the construction of EVE Energy’s environmentally friendly battery factory in Hungary, slated for completion in 2026, will incorporate solar and energy storage systems, promoting efficient use of clean energy and advocating for green electricity production to continually manage carbon emissions.

For more information about EVE Energy, please visit https://www.evebattery.com/en.

About EVE Energy

Founded in 2001 and listed in Shenzhen in 2009, EVE Energy has developed into a global player in the market, providing core technologies and comprehensive solutions for both consumer and power batteries, especially in the Internet of Things and the Energy Internet. Currently, EVE Energy has set up a research institute with 60 doctors and over 5,300 interdisciplinary R&D engineers in materials, electrochemistry, structure design, and electronic circuit design, obtained over 6,700 patents in China. The company launched a carbon reduction roadmap with a series of low-carbon reduction efforts in energy use, the manufacturing process, the supply chain, and resource management, and was named a “National Green Factory.”