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Waterdrop Releases the 2020-21 ESG Report – Striving to Provide High-quality and Sustainable Protection to Billions of Families

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BEIJING, Aug. 4, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Waterdrop Inc. (“Waterdrop”, the “Company” or “we”) (NYSE: WDH), a leading technology platform dedicated to insurance and healthcare service with a positive social impact, recently released its “2020-21 Environmental, Social and Governance Report” (the “ESG report” or the “report”). This is the first ESG report published since the public offering of Waterdrop. The report unveils the ESG performance of the Company in the areas of corporate governance, social responsibility, technology and innovation, industry value chain, workplace development, green development, and other topics for 2020-21. It also illustrates how Waterdrop leverages its sophisticated business model and technological innovation to resolve various social issues, thereby achieving its effective business performance and sustainable prospects.

Mr. Peng Shen, Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of Waterdrop commented, “Since our inception, ESG has been embedded in our corporate mission and business philosophy. The 2020-21 ESG report unveils our continuous efforts to enhance our ESG capabilities, including the provision of online medical fundraising services to approximately 2.4 million patients with critical illnesses through our Waterdrop Medical Crowdfunding platform, and providing inclusive insurance to more than 100 million users whom over 70% are from Tier-3 or lower-tier cities. The report also demonstrates that Waterdrop has attached great weightiness to its ESG-related efforts. Along with our strict compliance with relevant laws and regulations, we have developed rigorous management systems in corporate governance, compliance operations, supplier management, employee management, and low carbon development. At the same time, we have set up a dedicated Social Responsibility Department which empowers our business competitive advantages and technological innovation to integrate resources from various partners, thereby driving sustainable social value. Going forward, we will continue to make every endeavor to promote ESG, striving to achieve our mission of ‘leveraging internet technologies to make insurance protection more inclusive and accessible to the public, and bringing insurance and healthcare services to billions’.”

Business innovation to provide financial relief for medical treatments and prevent patients with critical illness from being impoverished

In early 2021, the State Council published The Opinions of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on Deepening the Medical Insurance System Reform, proposing that a medical protection system that centers on basic medical insurance, underpinned by medical aid that includes the mutual development of supplemental medical insurance, commercial health insurance, charitable donations, and mutual medical assistance, should be well-established by 2030. Waterdrop leverages its business strengths to provide a solid supplement to China’s multi-layer medical protection system, thereby offering innovative financial assistance solutions for the medical treatments of the needy.

Pioneered from the health protection model of “Waterdrop Medical Crowdfunding (fundraising for patients with critical illnesses)” and “Waterdrop Insurance Marketplace (life and health insurance)” platforms, Waterdrop has utilized its innovative technologies to provide financial relief for the medical treatments of its users, in particular for the low-income group, the marginalized, and the minority communities, thereby improving the efficiency of emergency medical relief. As of the end of 2021, 394 million caring individuals offered medical financial relief of exceeding RMB48.4 billion to patients with critical illnesses and financial difficulties. Waterdrop has highly regarded individuals not covered by traditional insurance, including the low-income group, the elderly, and people with pre-existing medical conditions. The Waterdrop Insurance Marketplace has thus launched various low-threshold, cost-effective, and inclusive insurance products to satisfy the protection needs of these vulnerable groups, such as “Waterdrop Carefree Thyroid Insurance”, “Waterdrop Elderly Medical Insurance”, etc. Currently, out of the over 100 million users on its platform, about three quarters are located in third-tier or lower-tier cities, highlighting the Company’s efforts to improve the penetration rate of health and medical insurance in China.

The financial pressure from the patients to receive medical treatment that are not covered by national medical insurance is also a social issue the general public faces. Through “Waterdrop Medicine”, the Company has provided comprehensive services including healthcare services and diversified medical payment solutions for patients in need of new drugs for special medical purposes, chronic disease drugs, and rare disease drugs. The results relieved the financial pressure on such patients and enhanced the accessibility and affordability of specific medicine. As of the end of 2021, Waterdrop has assisted over 150,000 patients with critical illnesses saving medical expenses of more than RMB50 million.

It is not sufficient to rely on merely one company or a particular business section to utterly resolve a social issue. Henceforth, Waterdrop has integrated various parties to explore more supplementary channels to address the supply of medical relief funds beyond the national medical insurance. The Company is engaged in the establishment of a multi-layer medical protection system and served as a “supplementary layer” through its Waterdrop Medical Crowdfunding, Waterdrop Charity, and other businesses. In March 2021, Jinyun County Healthcare Security Administration of Zhejiang and Waterdrop launched a project named “Jin Qing Bang” to establish a multi-layer medical insurance and poverty prevention system. 5 months after the launch of “Jin Qing Bang“, the platform has helped reduce the out-of-pocket medical expenses of the needy by more than RMB14 million, equivalent to a per capita reduction of over RMB5,000, or a year-over-year decline in such expenses of about 12%. Waterdrop expects the number of people in poverty caused by diseases to reduce by 77% annually. Waterdrop also contributes the export of its technological capabilities for product design, platform construction, marketing and promotion, pharmacy benefit management, and other patient services to empower Hui Min Bao projects for more than 10 cities in mainland China. More than 12 million people have benefited from the low-threshold and high-protection of Hui Min Bao products launched in various cities.

Technological innovations empower the improvement in operational efficiency and promote the development of the healthcare industry

Since its inception, Waterdrop has been consistently investing in R&D to leverage technology to empower its businesses, improve its operational efficiency, and support its service upgrades. In 2021, its R&D expenses increased by 55.2% year-over-year to RMB 379 million, accounting for 11.82% of total revenues. The increase was mainly attributable to the expansion of its R&D team and the strengthening of its technological competitiveness.

Given its in-depth insights into the healthcare industry, Waterdrop unveiled the “ABDC” strategy (AI + Blockchain + Data = Construction), in 2020. Focusing on the application of technologies such as AI and big data analysis in its businesses, Waterdrop has developed its proprietary intelligent systems and tools, including the claims settlement system, “intelligent calculation” system, risk management system, system related to storage media and computing equipment technology, AI-powered matching system, the CONF medical knowledge map, and the intelligent chatbot system, which has improved its operational efficiency and user experience significantly. The Company also took a major step forward by applying for national patents for its inventions and technological innovations.

Meanwhile, the Company has launched Waterdrop Open Platform 2.0, enhancing its capabilities to empower the digitalization, process management, data analytics, and smart operations of the insurance industry.

For marketing insurance products, the AI-powered matching system can match each user with the most appropriate insurance consultants. This applies to users who speak Cantonese, Sichuan Putonghua, or other dialects, thereby improving the APL efficiency of insurance consultants significantly. For insurance claims, Waterdrop’s intelligent claims system is capable of settling a claim in 8 seconds. This has helped save the consumption of 2.61 million paper documents, and the users’ waiting time for claims settlement. The insured people do not need to repeatedly mail paper documents, and do not have to worry about the long hours and complexity of claims settlement. The big data analysis and the CONF medical knowledge map can help generate more accurate estimates of the funds needed for the medical treatment of fundraisers in the Waterdrop Medical Crowdfunding platform, based on information about their illness categories, treatment methods, and the hospitals they attend.

Leveraging technology to effectively drive charitable social value

In 2018, Waterdrop launched an online fundraising platform called “Waterdrop Charity“, which was later designated by the Ministry of Civil Affairs as one of the online fundraising platforms for charity organizations. Waterdrop Charity has leveraged technology to improve the efficiency of fundraising and fund utilization, providing all-around support for charity organizations. From 2020 to 2021, Waterdrop Charity launched a total of 9,451 projects which cover a wide range of areas including anti-pandemic action, emergency and disaster relief, and rural revitalization, raising a total of RMB833,776,562 from 47,258,209 donators.

During the initial outbreak of the pandemic in 2020, Waterdrop Charity collaborated with over 20 charity organizations and raised more than RMB65 million for the purchase of medical masks, protection gear, and other anti-pandemic supplies. At the same time, Waterdrop Charity joined hands with the China Social Welfare Foundation to launch the “Emergency Response Workers Protection Program”, providing financial relief to frontline medical staff who were infected with or died from Covid-19. Up till now, the program has granted a total of RMB400,000 to four medical workers who contracted the virus, and RMB1 million to the families of two police officers who died on duty, honoring their contribution to the anti-pandemic efforts.

In face of catastrophes, Waterdrop Charity has promptly organized charity projects to integrate the efforts of various parties to distribute relief supplies so that the disaster victims could return to normal life quickly. The Henan Rainstorm Disaster Relief program that Waterdrop Charity launched in 2021 has raised approximately RMB 16.8 million in donations, assisting the transfer and resettlement of more than 209,000 victims. Waterdrop Charity also launched the “Baby Whale Project” to alleviate the financial burden of families whose children suffer from critical illnesses. The project has helped raise more than RMB150 million for the medical expenses of these children from nearly 4.84 million donators, benefiting 1,795 families. Moreover, Waterdrop has initiated the Waterdrop Charity Home program to offer temporary accommodation for patients with critical illnesses and their families during their medical treatment. To date, more than 30 charitable homes have been built in 7 cities across China.

It remains a key focus of Waterdrop to contribute to China’s poverty alleviation and rural revitalization efforts. As a key program to support rural revitalization, the Waterdrop Rural Clinic has built 64 clinics across China, benefiting over 150,000 people in rural areas. Waterdrop is planning to establish 1,000 clinics in 100 counties across the country by 2030, making a greater contribution to rural revitalization and a better China.

Implementing our mission to “put people first and build a better society”

Waterdrop is a company driven by its mission and values. It pursues employee equality and diversity, regarding its employees as partners working for a common cause. Based on this belief, Waterdrop has built an equitable and inclusive workplace with strong growth potential.

Waterdrop promises not to discriminate against employees in recruitment, compensation, training, promotion, and retirement due to differences in gender, race, disability, social class, political affiliation, or any other factors. In 2021, Waterdrop recruited employees from more than 20 ethnic groups, with the proportion of female employees and female managers reaching 46.8% and 28.99%, respectively. Waterdrop also offered customized comprehensive female medical check-up packages, nursing rooms, and breastfeeding leave to its female employees.

For talent training, Waterdrop provides customized training programs for employees in different positions. A comprehensive training system and a variety of training activities are introduced to facilitate all-around growth of every staff, from a new hire to a backbone team member and a leader. In 2021, Waterdrop invested RMB1.69million in employee training, attaining 9,683 participations or an average of 3.3 training sessions for each employee, and achieving a 100% training coverage rate. Meanwhile, Waterdrop has established a clear talent development path and a flexible internal job transfer system for employees’ continued exploration and growth in the suitable positions.

About Waterdrop Inc.

Waterdrop Inc. (NYSE: WDH) is a leading technology platform dedicated to insurance and healthcare service with a positive social impact. Founded in 2016, with the comprehensive coverage of Waterdrop Insurance Marketplace and Waterdrop Medical Crowdfunding, Waterdrop aims to bring insurance and healthcare service to billions through technology. For more information, please visit www.waterdrop-inc.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking” statements pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “aims,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “likely to,” and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Waterdrop’s beliefs, plans, and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Waterdrop’s filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and Waterdrop does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

For investor inquiries, please contact:

Waterdrop Inc.
Xiaojiao Cui
IR@shuidi-inc.com

Christensen
In China
Mr. Eric Yuan
Phone: +86-1380-111-0739
E-mail: Eyuan@christensenir.com

In US
Ms. Linda Bergkamp
Phone: +1-480-614-3004
Email: lbergkamp@christensenir.com

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Source: Waterdrop Inc.

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Clarivate Launches New Global Research Report Urging Action on Ocean Science

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Research must rise to meet challenges such as microplastics pollution and climate change

LONDON, July 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Clarivate Plc (NYSE:CLVT), a global leader in providing trusted information and insights to accelerate the pace of innovation, today launched a new Global Research Report from the Institute for Scientific Information™ analyzing ocean science research over the last two decades. The report concludes that research must rise to meet the challenges facing the marine environment such as microplastic pollution and climate change.

Ocean science: sustainability concerns add urgency for research observes that ocean science research output has increased threefold from 2000 to 2020. The Institute for Scientific Information identifies existing and emerging research fields, across all ocean basins, as well as the current collaboration pathways. The study examines gaps and trends in international ocean science collaborations. This information is essential for the effective growth of the ocean science community and ultimately the achievement of United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life below water.

In the Web of Science Core Collection™, for publication years 2000 to 2020, about 150,000 items were assigned to the Web of Science category Oceanography. However, as much research related to ocean science is published in journals assigned to other Web of Science categories or in multidisciplinary journals, the report uses a hybrid approach to analyze bibliometric data across a range of sources, evaluating ocean science research published between 2000 and 2020.

Key findings of the report include:

  • There has been an astonishing growth of microplastics research, an upsurge in output reminiscent of the excitement and activity of high-temperature superconductivity in the late 1980s, or CRISPR (i.e., gene editing) during the last decade. This growth, pronounced since 2015, may be related to the introduction of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015. Growth in other Citation Topics such as Climate Change may also be associated with the targets of SDGs.
  • The U.S. share of ocean basins research is in line with its overall world share. However, its dominance in the early 21st century – as well as the contributions of other G7 members – has been eroded by a rapid rise in research output from Mainland China.
  • Ocean research is globally connected and, crucially, also includes significant collaboration with island nations and territories at the literal forefront of ocean science (e.g., New Caledonia, Bermuda). However, sub-Saharan contributions, apart from those of South Africa, are minimal. External partnerships are likely required to build or operate the necessary infrastructure for ocean science research. Achieving the SDGs may drive such partnerships.
  • Institutional output in all ocean basins is led by national academies (e.g., Russian, Chinese) or research institutes (e.g., U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [NOAA], British Antarctic Survey), illustrating the highly specialized nature of ocean science and likely reflecting its infrastructure-reliant nature.

Dr. Gali Halevi, Director at the Institute for Scientific Information at Clarivate, said: “At Clarivate we help our customers address some of the world’s most complex challenges. With the fate of the Earth tied so inextricably to the oceans, and given the toll that humans have exacted on the marine environment within a relative handful of decades, the need for detailed scientific scrutiny of our ocean basins has never been more acute. Research must rise to meet the challenges presented by, for example, microplastic pollution and whatever natural or human-made environmental crises might still await. Only with concerted, global commitment will the UN SDGs for the future – oceans that are clean, resilient, predictable, sustainable, not to mention sustaining – stand a chance of accomplishment.”

About Clarivate

Clarivate™ is a global leader in providing solutions to accelerate the pace of innovation. Our bold mission is to help customers solve some of the world’s most complex problems by providing actionable information and insights that reduce the time from new ideas to life-changing inventions in the areas of Academia & Government, Life Sciences & Healthcare, Professional Services and Consumer Goods, Manufacturing & technology. We help customers discover, protect and commercialize their inventions using our trusted subscription and technology-based solutions coupled with deep domain expertise. For more information, please visit clarivate.com.

Media contact:
Rebecca Krahenbuhl
External Communications Manager (Academia & Government)
newsroom@clarivate.com 

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Deep Isolation: Solving Nuclear Waste Removes Barrier to Nuclear Energy

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SEOUL, South Korea, July 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Countries worldwide are reconsidering nuclear energy to achieve energy security, meet increasing electricity demands and fight climate change.

As the International Energy Agency says, reaching net zero will require nuclear capacity to double by 2050. At least 30 countries are considering, planning or starting nuclear power programs, according to the World Nuclear Association, and advanced nuclear developers are attracting significant investment dollars.

But without a permanent waste solution can nuclear truly be considered clean? The world has not yet disposed of a quarter million metric tons of spent fuel over the last 70 years, and building deep geologic mined repositories is not affordable or scalable for many countries.

This presents a significant barrier to nuclear energy. A poll by Reuters/Ipsos found that of those opposed to nuclear energy in America, 64 percent of them are concerned about the waste. 

The European Union’s recently approved taxonomy amendment says nuclear power plants won’t qualify as green investments unless developers have a spent fuel disposal plan in place by 2050, so it’s imperative that countries be given new waste solutions.

The co-founders of Deep Isolation, the first company to commercialize deep borehole disposal of nuclear waste, will discuss their technology and business model at a panel on Spent Nuclear Fuel and High-Level Wastes at this week’s 13th Asian Leadership Conference in Seoul.

“Nuclear waste threatens the success of nuclear energy, but there are solutions,” said Deep Isolation CEO and co-founder Liz Muller, who will be presenting Wednesday with Richard Muller, Chief Science Officer and co-founder. “Deep borehole repositories can be located at a power plant site, eliminating the need to transport waste to a large centralized mined repository, which unfairly burdens that one community. Boreholes are more cost-effective in many cases and can be built in a matter of years, not decades.”

This scalable, modular, and economical disposal solution is appealing to countries with smaller waste inventories or waste products unsuitable for a mined facility. 

The company’s business model offers commercial and government partners a range of flexible IP licensing options, including training and support and supply chain services for its planning and operational processes and solution technology.

Press Contact: Kari Hulac
media@deepisolation.com, www.deepisolation.com

Source: Deep Isolation, Inc.

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Jeffrey Sachs Awarded 2022 Tang Prize in Sustainable Development for Leading Transdisciplinary Sustainability Science

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TAIPEI, June 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — The Tang Prize, an international academic award set up to create a better world for all of humanity, is poised to announce its 2022 laureates in Taipei in four consecutive days starting June 18. In the first press conference held on June 18, the Foundation introduced to the public winner of the 2022 Tang Prize in Sustainable Development: Prof. Jeffrey Sachs. A world-renowned professor in economics who has made great contributions to the establishment and promotion of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Prof. Sachs served as Special Advisor to three UN Secretaries-General, and is currently Director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University as well as President of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN). He is awarded for “leading transdisciplinary sustainability science and creating the multilateral movement for its applications from village to nation and to the world,” according to the selection committee’s citation.  

the public winner of the 2022 Tang Prize in Sustainable Development: Prof. Jeffrey Sachs
the public winner of the 2022 Tang Prize in Sustainable Development: Prof. Jeffrey Sachs

At the moment, mankind as a whole is confronted with many tough challenges, including environmental pollution, extreme weather events, energy crisis, the shock to our physical, social and economic wellbeing caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and food shortages and raging inflation exacerbated by the regional confrontation. As an eminent economist of international distinction, Prof. Sachs has conducted ground-breaking research in many areas, such as debt crises, hyperinflations, transition from central planning to market economies, and eradication of extreme poverty. Moreover, when addressing complex issues related to global sustainable development, he combined the fields of global economics, public health, equity and sustainability to pioneer a multidisciplinary approach to solving these problems, transforming sustainable development into an integrated field of study and practice. His outstanding scholarship, advice to world leaders, educational innovation, and efforts in the global advocacy and realization of sustainable development have proven him to be a true leader of great vision, of profound influence, and imbued with deep humanistic concern.

With regard to the innovative transdisciplinary approach Prof. Sachs pioneered, an example can be found in his engagement with the Millennium Project, which he chaired on behalf of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan from 2002 to 2006. He was tasked with developing a concrete action plan to attain the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)[i], and he demonstrated how it can be done by using best practices in science, technology, and public policy. Moreover, Prof. Sachs was also in charge of the UN Millennium Village Project (MVP), which was implemented from 2006-2015 after the UN General Assembly adopted the key recommendations of the Millennium Project at a special session in September 2005. The MVP aimed to help rural Africa and was carried out in ten countries including Senegal, Nigeria, and Ethiopia. During these ten years, a range of notable successes were achieved, from raising agricultural production to reducing child stunting, and cutting child mortality rates. Lives of more than half a million people were changed as a consequence. Its key concepts of integrating rural development to achieve the MDGs are now being adopted by many other countries to help support national anti-poverty programs.   

With regard to promoting the UN SDGs[ii], Prof. Sachs began his engagement from their very inception when the idea was first broached at the “Rio+20” conference in June 2012 and offered his help based on this experience of implementing MDGs. The SDGs are the blueprint for creating a more sustainable future for all. They address many global challenges we face, including poverty, inequality, climate change, and environmental degradation. To overcome these problems, 17 goals, such as “no poverty,” “good health and well-being,” “reduced inequalities,” “climate action,” and “life below water” have been set. They are subdivided into 169 targets and 232 indicators to measure and track the global progress toward these goals. Prof. Sachs’ fruitful pursuit of the MDGs, and his tireless work in front of and behind the scenes at Rio+20 made an important contribution in persuading nations to forge a consensus on adopting the 17 SDGs as the successor to the MDGs.

To promote the SDGs, also in 2012, Prof. Sachs led a global consortium of universities and think tanks under the auspices of then UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to establish the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), which functions as the largest global knowledge-based think tank to help countries achieve the SDGs. The SDSN has produced many highly influential reports, conducted academic studies, offered online courses, and held hundreds of SDG-related meetings around the world each year. The SDSN now has over 1600 member institutions in 47 networks across 137 countries.   

With regard to combating anthropogenic climate change, Prof. Sachs saw the crucial importance of a long-term policy framework for climate control. He headed a global study on “deep decarbonization” which resulted in the highly influential “Pathways to Deep Decarbonization” report. The report lays out concrete and viable plans regarding issues like energy transition, industrial transformation, technological innovation, and governance mechanisms to enable 15 major carbon emitters to achieve deep decarbonization. Presented to Ban Ki-moon in September 2014, the report demonstrates how, during the decades leading to 2050, these 15 countries can find their own pathways to decarbonization that are compatible with their economic growth targets and technically feasible. Subsequently, many countries have taken on board this idea and designed their deep decarbonization pathways.           

Prof. Sachs’ participation in the promotion of the Paris Agreement has been equally vital. He has long helped to formulate core policy concepts for global climate control as a scholar and an academic leader. During the intensive phase of negotiating the Agreement, he worked behind the scenes with France, the US, and many other governments to support the design and adoption of the Paris Agreement. The SDGs and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change have been hailed as the two essential pillars for the world to achieve sustainable development, and Prof. Sachs has played a unique role in both.

With regard to offering suggestions to leaders of different countries, as one of the world’s leading experts on economic development, global macroeconomics, and the fight against poverty, Prof. Sachs has advised many heads of states and governments on complex economic challenges, including ending high inflations (Bolivia, Peru, Poland), negotiating debt relief (Bolivia, Brazil, Poland, and others), adopting market economic reforms (Poland, Russia), introducing new national currencies (Estonia, Slovenia), promoting regional development (China), and scaling up health systems (Ethiopia, Ghana, India, and many others). He has been awarded by several countries their highest honors for his board-based support of their economic reforms.

[i] The 8 MDGs are: 1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger. 2. Achieve universal primary education. 3. Promote gender equality and empower women. 4. Reduce child mortality. 5. Improve mental health. 6.Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases. 7. Ensure environmental sustainability. 8. Develop a global partnership for development.  

[ii] The 17 SDGs are: 1. No poverty. 2. Zero hunger. 3. Good health and well-being. 4. Quality education. 5. Gender equality. 6. Clean water and sanitation. 7. Affordable and clean energy. 8. Decent work and economic growth. 9. Industry, innovation, and infrastructure. 10. Reduced inequalities. 11. Sustainable cities and communities. 12. Responsible consumption and production. 13. Climate action. 14. Life below water. 15. Life on land. 16. Peace, justice and strong institutions. 17. Partnerships for the goals.

About Jeffrey Sachs

Born in Detroit, Michigan in 1954, Jeffrey Sachs got his BA, MA and PhD degrees in economics from Harvard University. He joined the Harvard faculty in 1980s. In less than four years’ time became a Professor of Economics with tenure at Harvard. He served as Director of the Center for Sustainable Development in the Earth Institute of Columbia University and Special Advisor to three UN Secretaries-General. He is a recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honor (by decree of the president of the French Republic), the Sustainable Development Leadership Award from India’s TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute), and Japan’s Blue Planet Award. He has also received 38 honorary degrees from universities all over the world. The papers and books he has published number in the hundreds, including three New York Times bestsellers: The End of Poverty, Common Wealth: Economics for a Crowded Planet, and The Price of Civilization: Reawakening American Virtue and Prosperity     

About the Tang Prize

Since the advent of globalization, mankind has been able to enjoy the convenience brought forth by the advancement of human civilization and science. Yet a multitude of challenges, such as climate change, the emergence of new infectious diseases, wealth gap, and moral degradation, have surfaced along the way. Against this backdrop, Dr. Samuel Yin established the Tang Prize in December 2012. It consists of four award categories, namely Sustainable Development, Biopharmaceutical Science, Sinology, and Rule of Law. Every other year, four independent and professional selection committees, comprising many internationally renowned experts, scholars, and Nobel winners, choose as Tang Prize laureates people who have influenced and made substantive contributions to the world, regardless of ethnicity, nationality or gender. A cash prize of NT$50 million (approx. US$1.7 million) is allocated to each category, with NT$10 million (approx. US$ 0.35 million) of it being a research grant intended to encourage professionals in every field to examine mankind’s most urgent needs in the 21st century, and become leading forces in the development of human society through their outstanding research outcomes and active civic engagement.

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At GWF 2022, Jane Goodall and Jack Dangermond Call for Collaboration for a Sustainable Future

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AMSTERDAM, May 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Our world is facing many challenges today. Together with the pandemic and its aftereffects, we now have a global climate emergency and developing fallouts. In such a background, the theme of Geospatial World Forum 2022 is apt – Geography and Humanity. Going by the definition by National Geographic, Geography is the study of places and the relationships between people and their environments. In that way, Geography is a fundamental part of Humanity, and Humanity is always in the context Geography; they are inextricably interconnected.

Today, as we stand at the crossroads between transitioning to a new industrial epoch and precluding a climate emergency, the ‘Where’ is getting more crucial than ever before.

The messages to the GWF attendees from two renowned conservation crusaders – Dr Jane Goodall and Jack Dangermond – were most poignant. In two separate video addresses, both the leaders appealed to the audience to act collectively and responsibly for a sustainable future. They also underlined how technologies can play a greater role in this.

Dr  Lilian Pintea, Vice President of Conservation Science, Jane Goodall Institute, USA, was also part of the address.

The Jane Goodall Institute’s community-centred conservation and development program TACARE partners with local inhabitants to create sustainable livelihoods while promoting environmental protection. The program uses advanced technologies such as GIS and remote sensing to collaboratively design the future rather than imposing outside solutions.

Dr. Pintea was instrumental in introducing GIS, GPS, and satellite imagery as tools for conservation as part of the TACARE program. He is a passionate advocate for working not for but with local communities and putting the tools to monitor their environment into their hands. He works with local communities on the ground and technology partners such as Esri, Maxar, Planet and others to unlock the power of technology for conservation.

Esri is a partner in the TACARE program, but even beyond the program, environment and conservation is in the DNA of Esri, and Dangermond in particular. Jack Dangermond is widely recognized for pioneering geographic information systems (GIS) for conservation and development activities, and calls GIS “a sort of intelligent nervous system for our planet at a time when humanity desperately needs one to address the environmental and humanitarian crises at hand.” 

QUOTES

Dr Jane Goodall

“Technology is helping people understand the connection between biodiversity loss, the climate crisis, and the emergence of new zoonotic diseases, such as COVID-19.”

“When I began my chimpanzee behaviour research in Gombe National Park in Tanzania in 1960, my only tools were one pair of secondhand binoculars, pencils and a supply of paper… But at the same time, I was learning about the plight of so many African people living in and around chimp habitat. The crippling poverty, lack of good health and education programs and degradation of the land owing to human and livestock population growth,” Goodall reminiscenced.

“In 1960, it was part of the great equatorial forest belt that stretched across Africa, by the late 1980s, Gombe was a little island of forest surrounded by bare hills. There were more people living there than the land could support. Overused infertile farmland, people struggling to survive. That’s when it hit me, unless we can help these people find ways of making a living without destroying their environment, we can’t save chimps, forests or anything else. The villages were cutting down trees simply to get more land to grow more food, or make money from charcoal and timber.”

“TACARE is a perfect example of how technology can help conservation, but it will only make a lasting difference when our brains work in harmony with our hearts, where poetically, we see love and compassion. It’s our disrespect of nature and animals that provides situations such as trafficking of animals around the world, wildlife markets, factory farms, and so on that provide opportunities for pathogens to spill over from one species to another, which may give rise to a new human zoonotic disease. I do hope that all of the participants of this conference will think about these connections and the importance of protecting and respecting wildlife, and help young people realize the important role they can play in creating a better world.”

Watch the full message here: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H76CbaOhXhw

Jack Dangermond

“We are collectively responsible for this future. It’s creating a very unsustainable situation. If we’re going to have a positive outcome in this world, we’re going to have to get together.”

“One theme for me that cuts across all of our interests is taking a geographic approach. This is a way of thinking and problem solving that integrates our respective technologies and sciences and information and helps us understand, helps the people who we serve understand how to manage at all scales from local governments to our entire planet. This approach is integrative in nature. It’s science based and holistic, and emphasizes collaboration. Thus the whole World Geospatial Forum’s initiative of getting us together to think and include each other in our thinking and come up with solutions that really work.”

“GIS and all of these technologies together are helping us enable this geographic approach more effectively. But we need to scale this up. Technology is advancing. Some of you are involved in the advancements itself, but we’re surrounded by a technological world in a new increasingly technological society. This is going to help us scale up and address some of these big challenges in major ways.”

There are literally tens of millions of people now being fed with your kinds of information and talent so that people can make billions of maps every day. The coronavirus map was an example of this and exemplifies the effectiveness of being able to create a spatially literate society, a nervous system for us to collaboratively bring together as opposed to polarizing our societies. We need to be responsible. This forum is a way to talk about these approaches and how we can act effectively. But just the technology aspects or even the data aspects won’t be enough. It’s about you and how we can together create effective solutions, learn how to collaborate across some of the dividing lines that separate us, and above all act with urgency to create a more sustainable future.”

Watch the full message here: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsfqVIDEynY

Dr. Lilian Pintea

“High resolution imagery helps us see that many of these forests and woodlands are in the process of being restored through natural regeneration as part of the interconnected village forest reserve set up by local communities as part of the village land use plans. Village forest monitors selected by their governments are equipped with smart ones and Survey 123 mobile apps and continuously monitoring their forests, sharing the observations with local decision makers through dashboards and decision support and alert systems powered by Esri ArcGIS technologies.”

“What local communities around Gombe managed to achieve here changed my view on conservation and how to leverage and use innovative technologies to build resilience in our social ecological systems and gave me hope. Few years ago, I had the chance to join you and our Tanzania colleagues and listen to local communities interpreting the satellite images. One woman pointed to an area within the image very close to her house where she used to have a farm. She had to move her farm because the village land use plan delineated that area as a village forest reserve. Now she needs to walk an extra hour a day on steep hills to reach her new farm.

I asked if it was worth it. She pointed to deforested hills and eroded streams on a 2005 satellite image and said, “You see back then we did not have trees on the hills. We had landslide, erosion. That building near the stream is a school. One day a flash flood almost destroyed the school. I had two children at the time in that school. Now look at the recent images. The trees are back. The streams are looking better. I better walk an extra hour a day, but know that our children are safe.” That’s why when representatives from the village government reach out to farmers one by one, like her, many other farmers moved their farms to benefit the community.

I was struck by her story because the power of geography and geospatial technologies was unlocked not only because communities had access to this technologies, data and training facilitated by JGI, but also because thanks to our TACARE approach, this technologies and now the science approaches became part of a decision making process owned and driven by the local people themselves. At JGI, we see geography and geospatial technology as essential conditions to help connect the needs of people, animals and our shared environment and scale our conservation impact around the world. From using Esri’s ArcGIS Conservation solutions to daily manage the largest chimpanzee sanctuary in Africa, to protected area management, to planting trees and restoring forests in Uganda, in all these applications, our TACARE community led approach is key, creating spaces as part of locally owned decision making processes where technology providers, scientists, local communities, government decision makers, and others could have a dialogue, develop a common understanding and trust, and convert this amazing data into shared knowledge, wisdom, and better decisions for people, animals, and our shared environment.”

About Geospatial World Forum

Geospatial World Forum is one of the most prestigious global geospatial conferences and annual gatherings of geospatial professionals across the world. This year’s edition GWF 2022 runs from May 10 to May 12 at the Taets Art and Event Park, Zaanstad, Amsterdam. The three-day conference is produced by Geospatial World and co-hosted by Dutch Kadaster.

Visit website for more information:
https://geospatialworldforum.org/index.html

Media Contacts

Anusuya Datta
Vice President, Marketing and Communications
anusuya@geospatialworld.net   

Meenal Dhande
Associate Editor & Product Manager – Europe
meenal@geospatialworld.net

Source: Geospatial Media and Communications Pvt. Ltd.

PR Newswire

Green Flight Initiative Aired in North Bund International Aviation Forum

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SHANGHAI, Nov. 5, 2021 — On November 4, the first North Bund International Aviation Forum, with the theme on the sustainable development of the global aviation industry, was held in China’s economic hub Shanghai, injecting new aviation elements and driving power into the city’s development into an international shipping center.

North Bund International Aviation Forum
North Bund International Aviation Forum

 

North Bund International Aviation Forum
North Bund International Aviation Forum

Jointly organized by China Eastern Air Holding Company Limited and Shanghai Airport Authority, this event was a parallel forum of the North Bund Forum.

Officials from related government agencies such as the National Development and Reform Commission, the Civil Aviation Administration of China and the Shanghai Municipal Government, as well as about 150 guests from domestic and foreign civil aviation enterprises, industry associations, and colleges attended the forum.

They discussed the new model of sustainable development and international cooperation in the industry around issues such as carbon emission reduction in civil aviation and construction of world-class aviation hubs, and released a number of major achievements and important initiatives in the industry.

At the forum, Zhang Wei, vice mayor of Shanghai, said that this year is the year when the Shanghai International Shipping Center is basically in shape. Shanghai will adhere to building a world-class aviation hub with leading quality, accelerate the improvement of airport ground facilities, and enhance the coverage and accessibility of airline network.

"The city will improve the legal system for green development and accelerate the green development of the aviation industry, while joint efforts will be made to promote coordination of the world-class airport group in the Yangtze River Delta in terms of functional positioning, planning and construction, operation management and ground transportation," Zhang added.

Willie Walsh, director general of IATA, said that to give an indication of the scale of the pandemic disruption, losses of the airline industry were significantly reduced in 2021. With a 20 per cent share of the global commercial aviation market, China’s domestic market is increasingly important. At present, IATA is actively dealing with the impact of the epidemic, and the industry remains confident about the future.

Liu Shaoyong, chairman of China Eastern Air Holding Company Limited, said that the company will give full play to the features of the aviation industry with a long chain, strong driving effect and great influence radiation. With the new mode of digital transformation and intelligent upgrade, China Eastern will accelerate the building of smart aviation, inclusive aviation and airport cities. A new aviation economic ecology will take shape by developing "aviation + tourism", "aviation + finance", "aviation + exhibition" and the integration of aviation with other services.

Qin Yun, chairman of Shanghai Airport Authority, said the company will strengthen cooperation with airports and airlines around the world to build a green and ecological airport and a digital airport.

During the session of topic sharing, Li Yangmin, general manager of China Eastern Air Holding Company Limited, made a special sharing on the situation of aviation hubs in world-class cities, the development process of hubs and serving Shanghai’s development into a world-class city. More than 10 guests delivered keynote speeches on cooperation and win-win of international civil aviation in the field of carbon emission reduction during the pandemic and construction and upgrading of world-class aviation hubs.

In the dialogue session, the speakers focused on the opportunities and challenges of reshaping the global industrial chain and supply chain, and discussed the development ideas from the perspectives of logistics industry development, aviation logistics, airport cargo terminal business and supply chain solutions.

At this forum, senior executives of 20 enterprises in the aviation sector released an initiative on global aviation industry carbon reduction cooperation via video.

The North Bund International Aviation Forum will be held in Shanghai every year as a parallel forum of the North Bund Forum, which will help the latter to become the "Davos" of the international shipping industry, better promote the Chinese shipping brands to the world and share Shanghai’s perspectives. China Eastern will also host the 78th IATA Annual General Meeting (AGM) and the World Air Transport Summit in Shanghai in June 2022.

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Caption: North Bund International Aviation Forum

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Caption: North Bund International Aviation Forum

PR Newswire

Cisco Partners with COP26 to Support a More Inclusive and Sustainable Future

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SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 23, 2021 —

COP26 Climate Cisco
COP26 Climate Cisco

News summary:

  • Cisco is proud to announce its partnership with COP26, the global climate conference taking place in Glasgow from 31 October to 12 November 2021
  • With the goal of increasing inclusivity and supporting resilience, Cisco will provide the technology to securely connect both those on-site, and permitted registered delegates who are unable to be onsite, through Webex
  • By partnering with the UK Government, Legislate for Webex will support COP26 as crucial negotiations take place between world leaders

Today, Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) proudly announces its partnership with COP26, the United Nations Climate Change conference taking place in Glasgow, UK, from 31 October to 12 November 2021. Throughout the event, Cisco technology will support inclusive debates and discussions on decisive issues for the future of our planet.

For those in Glasgow, world-leading and secure Cisco networking technology will provide connectivity across the whole venue. For those joining virtually, where this is permitted for delegates unable to be onsite, Webex will connect discussions, facilitate side conversations and press conferences. To support inclusive and representative outcomes, almost all of the 3,000 anticipated physical sessions at COP26 will include a digital component, supported by Cisco Gold partner ITGL.

"Cisco is proud to be helping policymakers and their teams from around the world to join the most important climate negotiations to date. We believe that it’s on all of us to ensure that the future is inclusive," said Fran Katsoudas, Chief People, Policy & Purpose Officer, Cisco. "The actions that we take to protect our planet today are foundational to achieving that mission. This is a defining moment for climate policy and the future of our planet, so we are incredibly proud to be partnering with COP26."

Legislate for Webex is a platform specifically designed to facilitate secure hybrid discussions for policymakers. Cisco’s partners, ITGL and Davra, have developed a customized version of Legislate for Webex for the specific needs of COP26.

Spontaneous ad-hoc discussions can be facilitated with secured break-out Webex sessions. Live interpretation and closed captioning is also available through Legislate for Webex, supporting multilingual participation. Webex’s state-of-the-art security combined with Legislate for Webex’s customizable nature makes it the ideal platform to host the COP26 future-defining talks.

To help provide a seamless connectivity experience for up to 25,000 in-person attendees over two weeks, Cisco will be providing state-of-the-art, secure networking technologies, embedded with powerful visibility and network intelligence from Cisco ThousandEyes. All networking technology used for the event will be repurposed to ensure no equipment is wasted.

COP President-Designate Alok Sharma said: "I am delighted to welcome Cisco to the COP26 family as a Partner for the UN climate conference taking place in Glasgow. We are committed to hosting a safe and secure in-person summit and our work with Cisco is a vital part of this. I look forward to working with Cisco and all our Partners ahead of the summit as we ensure a successful and inclusive COP26."

Wendy Mars, President, Cisco Europe, Middle East, Africa and Russia added "Cisco has developed the most inclusive platform for participants of meetings and events to interact, whether they are attending in-person or virtually. We are extremely proud of our team and partners in Europe who have been working to deliver the most secure and inclusive experience for COP26, home to the most important climate negotiations. Our technology and innovations are a critical part of the green and digital transition that will contribute to an inclusive sustainable future for all."

Additional resources:  

About Cisco

Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in technology that powers the Internet. Cisco inspires new possibilities by reimagining your applications, securing your data, transforming your infrastructure, and empowering your teams for a global and inclusive future. Discover more on The Network and follow us on Twitter at @Cisco.

Cisco and the Cisco logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cisco and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. A listing of Cisco’s trademarks can be found at www.cisco.com/go/trademarks. Third-party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word partner does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any other company.

Cisco partner COP26 Climate
Cisco partner COP26 Climate

 

 

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PR Newswire

Plant a Tree for a Sustainable Future with PanzerGlass’ Limited Artist Edition ClearCase™

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PanzerGlass in collaboration with LA-based artist and philanthropist Mikael B and non-profit organization, The Perfect World Foundation, pledges to plant a tree for each unit sold.

DUBAI, UAE, May 21, 2021 — PanzerGlass, one of the leading screen protection brands in the world, announces the launch of its Limited Artist Edition ClearCase™ as part of its sustainability initiatives.

PanzerGlass Ltd Artist Edition Clearcase designed by Mikael B
PanzerGlass Ltd Artist Edition Clearcase designed by Mikael B

The company has partnered with Los Angeles-based artist and philanthropist Mikael Brandrup (a.k.a. Mikael B), an ambassador for the Perfect World Foundation, a non-profit organisation that raises awareness and supports efforts to prevent the global ecological crisis.

"We are thrilled to partner with Mikael B. for our first-ever limited artist edition ClearCase. For each unit sold, we will plant a tree in the Sir David Attenborough Forest. This collaboration bridges smartphone protection, abstract street style art, and forest restoration to create small changes for a better world," announces Head of Global Marketing Michael Broend.

The Limited Artist Edition ClearCase™ available for iPhone 11 and 12 models features Mikael B’s original artwork and has a signature antibacterial coating proven to kill up to 99.99% of most common surface bacteria, a 100% recycled TPU frame, and an extra-strong honeycomb pattern to enhance shock absorption providing 25% improved scratch resistance.

Mikael B is an urban contemporary artist who always had a desire to make a difference with his art. He founded the Mikael B Foundation in 2017, where all his charity initiatives came together – including projects for a school in Cambodia, saving the world seas, and planting trees to reduce CO2 in collaboration with The Perfect World Foundation.

On this initiative, Mikael B commented: "The collaboration has been built on a shared passion for changing the world for the better. To kick off the project, I created a mural called "Moment of Clarity" in Los Angeles. I used the composition of the mural to design a ClearCase to protect your phone that bridges the PanzerGlass heritage and my art style."

"As a global business, we believe we have a responsibility to find sustainable solutions in everything we do. Our journey for a greener planet started years ago. Let’s continue this journey and take responsibility together," adds Michael Broend.

The Limited Artist Edition ClearCase will be made available for purchase at the leading Smartphone Electronics Accessories Retailers.  

For more information about PanzerGlass™, visit https://panzerglass.com/.

About PanzerGlass™
In 2013, the Danish start-up launched its new and exclusive line of products for mobile devices.  Today, a leader in its category, PanzerGlass™, has 130 employees, is present in 70 different countries.

PanzerGlass™ is part of the Juhl Bach Holding Group, one of Denmark’s largest family-owned holding companies. JB Holding specializes in venture operations and has an impressive portfolio of companies ranging from start-ups to mature companies.

Photo – https://techent.tv/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/plant-a-tree-for-a-sustainable-future-with-panzerglass-limited-artist-edition-clearcase.jpg

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PR Newswire

CGTN: China to prioritize conservation in its water diversion project

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BEIJING, May 15, 2021 — China will press ahead with the world’s largest water diversion project and prioritize water conservation in the process.

 

As the country pursues green and high-quality development, efforts should be made to advance the South-to-North Water Diversion Project in a scientific manner and promote the effective and economical use of water resources, Chinese President Xi Jinping said Friday.

Xi made the remarks at a symposium on advancing the high-quality follow-up development of the project in Nanyang, central China’s Henan Province, following an inspection tour that began on Wednesday.

He called for safeguarding ecological security and promoting balanced spatial distribution of water resources in the country.

3,000 West Lakes, 120 million people

The South-to-North Water Diversion Project links the Yangtze River, the Huaihe River, the Yellow River and the Haihe River. It is aimed at providing a permanent solution to the water shortage in northern China by diverting water from the country’s water-rich southern regions.

The grand project consists of three routes, among which the first phase the eastern and middle routes went into operation in 2013 and 2014 respectively. The western route is still at a pre-construction stage.

As of early April, the project had transferred 41.8 billion cubic meters of water to the northern areas, which was equivalent to the water volume of nearly 3,000 West Lakes – a renowned scenic area in Hangzhou in east China’s Zhejiang Province. More than 120 million people had directly benefited from the project.

Xi’s inspection tour and the symposium came at a time when China gears up for planning and implementing the next stage of the project. According to the Outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035, efforts will be made to advance the follow-up development of the eastern and middle routes of the project and the appraisal of plans for the western route.

Elaborating on how to advance the project in a scientific manner, Xi called for efforts to strengthen demand and supply management, maximize overall benefits of the project, prioritize water conservation and enhance the protection of ecological environment. He also called for accelerating efforts to build a national water network and ensure national water security.

Xi hails sacrifice by resettled residents

The place where President Xi chose to convene the meeting is of great significance to the water diversion project. Located in the southwest of Henan Province bordering Hubei Province, Nanyang is the starting point of the middle route, which carries water from Danjiangkou Reservoir in central China through Henan and Hebei provinces all the way to Beijing and Tianjin in the north.

More than 40 big and medium-sized cities receive water from the project, and in Beijing, around 70 percent of the tap water is pumped in through the middle route.

More than 345,000 people living in Danjiangkou Reservoir area have moved to more than 600 government-built villages to make way for the project. Xi went to one of those villages to visit the relocated residents on Thursday.

In the village of Zouzhuang in Xichuan County, he hailed the spirit of sacrifice of the villagers and wished them a better life. The resettled residents deserve the thanks from those who benefit from the project and people across the nation, he said.

At Friday’s symposium, Xi urged authorities to work out economical plans for the next phase of the project and minimize the number of people that need to be relocated.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2021-05-14/Xi-convenes-symposium-on-advancing-water-diversion-project-development-10g4Sd3Te5W/index.html

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Fine Fragrance RE│IMAGINED: Firmenich and Central Saint Martins Project the Future Role of Fine Fragrance

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GENEVA, March 4, 2021 — Firmenich, the world’s largest privately-owned fragrance and taste company, has teamed up in an exclusive collaboration with world-renowned arts and design college Central Saint Martins in London to reimagine the future of fine fragrance. Twenty-one projects provide a unique, "fragrance forward" vision for game-changing uses of fine fragrance, from heat relief, water conservation, and community empowerment, to mindful eating and scent travel.

Scent Fountain, one of the concepts created for the 14th edition of Firmenich’s Olfactive Design program in collaboration with students at Central Saint Martins. © CSM
Scent Fountain, one of the concepts created for the 14th edition of Firmenich’s Olfactive Design program in collaboration with students at Central Saint Martins. © CSM

"Firmenich is empowering a positive future for fine fragrance," said Ilaria Resta, President, Global Perfumery, Firmenich. "Through both RE|GENERATION and Olfactive Design, we are writing a new story including creation, distribution points, distribution methods, and physical or digital experiences, to reinvent the value of fine fragrance. Perfume becomes a social intermediary, identity marker and mindful catalyst."

"These inspirational projects with the talented next generation of designers are nourished by science and art. They represent both the future of luxury and the ultimate essence of fine fragrance," added Mehdi Lisi, VP, Global Fine Fragrance, Creation, Development and Innovation (CDI), Firmenich. "We are proud to share this work, co-created with Central Saint Martins."

The 14th edition of Firmenich’s Olfactive Design program is an unique collaboration with students in the Master of Arts of Narrative Environments and of Material Futures at Central Saint Martins. Partnered with Firmenich Fine Fragrance perfumers, students worked collectively to imagine seven future worlds with both utopian and dystopian attributes: Hope & Re-Enchantment, Danger/Chaos/Risk, Circularity, Generations & Memory, Hybrid Experiences, Identity and Pleasure & Wellbeing. Together, teams co-created prototypes, installations and bespoke fragrances inspired by the students’ work to show how fragrance will impact our world in the years to come. 

Bethany Shepherd, Professor of MA Narrative Environments at Central Saint Martins said: "This is the first time our students have worked with perfume. With the rise in popularity of immersive experiences and meaningful interactions, students were keen to explore how scent can link both personal and cultural memory, and how olfactive experiences connect people to better understand each other and their environments."

  • Global warming has formed urban heat islands in heavily populated areas and cities worldwide, where natural land is replaced with buildings and surfaces that retain heat (such as pavement). Manmade heat affects humans in many ways, from creating additional stress to amplifying illnesses. Looking at the theme of Danger/Chaos/Risk, student Lars Dittrich provides a counterbalance to these islands. As a solution, he created a Fragrance Ventilator that captures hot air as it rises, humidifies and cools the air in a tube, and then releases jets of fragrance from vents as cool, scented breeze. Senior Perfumer Dora Baghriche imagined a scent to emphasize a refreshing sensation, with a green accord to emulate the relieving sensation of vegetal freshness and a mineral facet to suggest an implicit petrichor effect of fresh rain. She also added a touch of Freezestorm®, a breakthrough technology, delivering a long-lasting cooling sensation that reinforces the hyper-sensoriality of the project.
  • Addressing the theme of Pleasure & Wellbeing, student Alessia Yu created a program to help individuals temper emotional eating habits at a time when eating disorders are on the rise. Her Mindful Dining experience proposes to restore a person’s full awareness of what he or she is tasting, therefore bringing more joy and wellbeing to the individual’s life. Olfaction contributes as much as 80-90% to the taste of one’s food, thus scent is a powerful tool to engage a person’s senses and create a more pleasurable food experience. The dining adventure begins with a customized dessert subscription, delivered with a scent box diffuser and audio-guided meditation. As a person begins the guided, mindful journey, they are introduced to each ingredient and layer of the dessert they’re about to eat via fragrances emitted from the diffuser box as well as imagery on screen. This exercise amplifies smells and textures to better appreciate taste. In this example, Firmenich Perfumer Alexis Grugeon brought the dessert experience to life with an addictive banana bread fragrance. Using Smell The Taste™ technology transporting the individual to thoughts of home-baked goods, he mixed the rich creaminess of banana with notes of walnut, wrapped in a refined orris trail.
  • With the feeling of Hope & Re-Enchantment as a guide, student Aliza Ruzavina created a communal Scent Fountain to help local communities take ownership of the future of their neighborhoods. The fountain lives at the center of each town, and features opinion polls about community issues, such as new building development, industrial changes, traffic density and natural park spaces. When voting, people smell scented tubes around the fountain containing different fragrances related to different outcomes of the poll. Each scent relates to a unique characteristic of what the community could smell like if a change is made. Once a person has smelled all of the options, they cast their ballot by pushing a button. Principal Perfumer Hamid Merati-Kashani imagined a fragrance that argues in favor of positive and eco-conscious communal behaviors, using notes of pink pepper, an exclusive NaturePrint® magnolia scent, and biodegradable and renewable Sorbettolide® musk as key ingredients. Each of these elements recall the existence of nature in the midst of a city, helping empower the community and people who live there to make healthy and eco-friendly decisions.

The impressive, thought-provoking prototypes were showcased in a live, day-long, closed-door exhibit held at Central Saint Martins in London in December 2020. Students walked attendees through their concepts, constructions and fragrance creations. Access to the projects is now available exclusively on Firmenich’s RE|GENERATION website so that customers and consumers can view the intricate works via images and video footage of each project. Additional content will be added bi-weekly, covering new themes, projects and insights.

"Olfactive Design encourages us to think about the future of fine fragrance through new uses and application techniques. As the world changes, from climate issues to political and cultural unrest, so does our perfumery. Our industry has the ability to course correct current and future concerns, as fragrance plays a critical role in the wellbeing of future generations," said Associate Perfumer Alexis Grugeon.

Since 1998, Firmenich’s Olfactive Design program explores a thematic from artistic and sensorial standpoints. Each edition offers a unique experience engaging our senses as well as our imagination. This exclusive immersion takes us on an olfactive journey showcasing the creativity of our Fine Fragrance perfumers from Paris, New York, Sao Paulo and Dubai, who work with full creative freedom.

Launched in July 2020, celebrating Firmenich’s 125-year legacy and leadership in Fine Fragrance, RE|GENERATION is a global call-to-action embracing the radical optimism of change and examining how it will shape the future of the fine fragrance industry. The movement invites the fragrance community, customers, consumers, artists and influencers to work together to innovate, rejuvenate and drive the transformation of Fine Fragrance. @FirmenichFine #FragranceIsCulture #RegenerationReset.

For more about Olfactive Design and RE|GENERATION, please visit: https://regeneration.firmenich.com/.

About Firmenich
Firmenich, the world’s largest privately-owned fragrance and taste company, was founded in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1895, and has been family-owned for 125 years. Firmenich is a leading business-to-business company specialized in the research, creation, manufacture and sale of perfumes, flavors and ingredients. Renowned for its world-class research and creativity, as well as its leadership in sustainability, Firmenich offers its customers superior innovation in formulation, a broad and high-quality palette of ingredients, and proprietary technologies including biotechnology, encapsulation, olfactory science and taste modulation. Firmenich had an annual turnover of 3.9 billion Swiss Francs at end June 2020. More information about Firmenich is available at www.firmenich.com

About Central Saint Martins University

Central Saint Martins, UAL is globally renowned for the creative energy of its students, staff and graduates. Its educational reputation across art, design and performance is demonstrated by alumni who shape the world including Grace Wales Bonner, Matty Bovan, Terence Conran, Michael Fassbender, Antony Gormley, Craig Green, Tom Hardy, Isaac Julien, Jean Jullien, Christopher Kane, Helen Marten, Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen, Morag Myerscough, Sandy Powell, Laure Prouvost and Raqib Shaw among many others. Central Saint Martins is part of University of the Arts London (UAL), an international center for innovative teaching and research in arts, design, fashion, communication and the performing arts. www.arts.ac.uk/csm 

 

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