Geovanny Vicente – Página 91

2020 Global Food Security Index Shows Overall Decline in Food Security

WILMINGTON, Del., Feb. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Today The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) released the ninth annual Global Food Security Index (GFSI) sponsored by Corteva (NYSE: CTVA), which measures the underlying drivers of food security in 113 countries, based on the factors of affordability, availability, quality and safety, and natural resources and resilience.

<a…

The GFSI considers food security in the context of income and economic inequality, gender inequality, and environmental and natural resources inequality – calling attention to systemic gaps and most recently how COVID-19 exacerbates their impact on food systems. Based on these findings, global food security has decreased for the second year in a row.

«Sponsoring the Global Food Security Index is part of Corteva Agriscience’s long-term commitment to growing progress,» said James C. Collins, Jr., Chief Executive Officer of Corteva Agriscience. «With food security declining again, we all must heed the urgent call to renew our collective commitment to innovation and collaboration. Our future is only as secure as our food system and agriculture is at the heart of it. Together we must better support global food security.»

This year, the GFSI formally includes «Natural Resources and Resilience» as a fourth main category. This addition marks a significant shift in methodology, revealing food systems’ resiliency against climate change. The sub-indicators under this category include food import dependency, disaster risk management and projected population growth. The 2020 index also measures gender inequality and inequality-adjusted income as sub-indicators for the first time in its history.

For the third consecutive year, the North America region is leading the world in food security. Europe is a close second, accounting for eight of the top 10 countries. Using the new methodology, Finland tops the list while last year’s leader, Singapore, drops down to 19^th place. Ireland retains its second rank position, while the United States moves to 11^th place.

The new methodology underscores the importance of climate-risk management and its link to food security. «Incorporating the Natural Resources and Resilience category as part of the main index highlights the impact of climate-related factors on food systems and food security» said Pratima Singh, project lead for the Global Food Security Index at The EIU. «It is critical that climate risk becomes a core part of the dialogue on food security. We hope this will drive much-needed action on developing policies that can build a stronger and more sustainable global food system.»

Building Resilient Agriculture

The GFSI 2020 shows that rising temperatures and global warming have a direct impact on the agricultural sector and food system. Highly volatile agriculture production in countries like Australia, Norway and Sweden demonstrates the risk that climate change poses to agriculture and food production. The GFSI finds that agricultural production has become more vulnerable in 49 countries compared to the previous index period. While climate change is notably creating new challenges, farmers are still required to anticipate demand for volume of food. With the increasing impact of extreme weather conditions and demand, there is a great need for staple crops that are more tolerant to extreme weather and can thrive with limited water as well as in poor or limited soil.

Corteva is innovating to make crops more resilient, so they can thrive in poor soils and better withstand extreme temperatures, droughts, and new infestations. The company’s precision agriculture technology delivers whole-farm solutions, empowering farmers to use data to solve problems in the field. It’s all part of helping farmers and building a more secure food system.

Supporting Smart Agriculture
The GFSI 2020 shows creative supply chain solutions powered by new technologies can help alleviate challenges to food security and farmer well-being. A successful mobile technology program can help farmers to anticipate market demands and respond in time, as well as connect them with the right resources, suppliers and markets.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed existing vulnerabilities in the global food system. Although the various stakeholders have been quick to respond, the lockdown restrictions, and resulting economic fallout, have had a disproportionate impact on those living below the poverty line with limited, if any, social protections. In the agricultural sector, smallholder farmers, the majority of whom reside in rural areas, have suffered a significant loss of income as lockdowns have prevented market access and interrupted the planting season.

Corteva Agriscience is working with supply chain partners to anticipate shifts in global demand and thus continuing to help ensure a reliable food supply. The company’s mobile software puts market data in farmers’ hands to enable them to make better business decisions. Corteva’s advanced seed breeding methodologies provide the right high-yielding potential products and agronomic advice helps farmers put it on the right hectare, for the right market.

Advancing Sustainable Agriculture
The GFSI shows that sustainable farming is essential to food security and farmer productivity. The index shows that the global food systems have been under strain even before the COVID-19 began to spread, with many countries struggling to increase productivity, adapt to a worsening climate and reduce environmental harm. In 2020, both Australia and the U.S. were impacted by high levels of land degradation, ranking 81st and 63rd respectively on the land degradation indicator. According to the index, Latin America suffering from irregular rainfall and above-average temperatures between June and July 2019 led to a second consecutive year of crop failure in the ‘Dry Corridor’ spanning Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua.

Corteva is driving a more responsible food system, with products and services to produce what our food system demands while conserving resources and sustaining the land. The company’s biological solutions give farmers additional tools to address pressures from pests and disease, while helping meet consumer demands.

About Corteva Agriscience
Corteva Agriscience is a publicly traded, global pure-play agriculture company that provides farmers around the world with the most complete portfolio in the industry – including a balanced and diverse mix of seed, crop protection and digital solutions focused on maximizing productivity to enhance yield and profitability. With some of the most recognized brands in agriculture and an industry-leading product and technology pipeline well positioned to drive growth, the company is committed to working with stakeholders throughout the food system as it fulfills its promise to enrich the lives of those who produce and those who consume, ensuring progress for generations to come. Corteva Agriscience became an independent public company on June 1, 2019 and was previously the Agriculture Division of DowDuPont. More information can be found at www.corteva.com.

Follow Corteva on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube.

^™ ^® ^℠ Trademarks and service marks of Corteva Agriscience and its affiliated companies.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2020-global-food-security-index-shows-overall-decline-in-food-security-301232968.html

SOURCE Corteva, Inc.

Decama Capital Ltd Kickstarts Green Energy Offering with Chief Development Officer Appointment

LONDON and TEL AVIV, Israel, Feb. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Decama Capital Ltd (TASE: DCMA), a leading Israeli investment company headquartered in the UK and listed on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, is delighted to announce the recent appointment of Professor Lior Elbaz as Chief Development Officer. The appointment is an integral step in the company’s expansion…

Professor Elbaz is an Israeli Chemical Engineer and Associate Professor at Bar-Ilan University who brings with him a wealth of green energy experience to the role, with a particular interest in hydrogen. He is currently acting as Visiting Scientist for the second time at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico – renowned for its creation of the US atomic bomb – which conducts research on fuel cells.

His other accolades include remaining Israel’s official representative at the International Energy Agency’s Advanced Fuel Cells Executive Committee since 2017 and establishing the Israeli Fuel Cells Consortium in 2016, bringing together a group of the best researchers in the country to cooperate on projects to improve fuel cell durability and cut costs. Previous roles of his also include acting as a scientific consultant on renewable energy to Oaktree Capital Management and scientific consultant on fuel cells technology to Emefcy.

The appointment will see Professor Elbaz bring his expertise to Decama Capital Ltd as the company makes its first foray into the green energy sector, with a particular emphasis on identifying opportunities for investment within the hydrogen technology space. With fossil fuels no longer the most cost-effective nor environmentally friendly source of energy available, the company’s new venture comes as a result of the exponential growth in the renewable energy industry as world-leading companies and market-leading countries across the globe express a renewed commitment to clean energy solutions.

Professor Lior Elbaz said: «I am proud to bring my expertise in the green energy technology space to Decama Capital Ltd – a company looking to do its part in the fight against climate change by investing in the renewable energy sector and particularly exploring opportunities with hydrogen solutions. I look forward to becoming a member of their highly acclaimed team.»

Nate Lorenzi, CEO of Decama Capital Ltd, said: «We are pleased to welcome Professor Elbaz to our growing team as we enter new sectors. His industry knowledge will be invaluable as we embark on expanding Decama Capital Ltd’s offering and expertise in the renewable energy space.»

About Decama Capital Ltd

Decama Capital Ltd is an Israeli investment company listed on the Tel Aviv stock exchange and headquartered in London. Decama Capital engages in real estate activities, management and operation of properties for rent and sale.

http://www.decama.co.il/

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/decama-capital-ltd-kickstarts-green-energy-offering-with-chief-development-officer-appointment-301232637.html

SOURCE Decama Capital Ltd

Fortistar and Energy Innovation Capital Invest in Pellucere Technologies

HOUSTON, Feb. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Pellucere Technologies, Inc., a U.S.-based sustainable technology focused company that manufactures anti-reflective and anti-soiling coatings for solar, automotive, and consumer electronics, announced today that Fortistar, a privately-owned investment firm that provides capital to build, grow and manage companies that address complex sustainability challenges, is co-investing alongside existing investor Energy Innovation Capital («EIC») to fund the rapid growth of the company.

…

Pellucere’s flagship product is the MoreSun® Anti-Reflective (AR) / Anti-Soiling (AS) coating for the solar market. MoreSun delivers industry-leading AR performance as well as a proprietary dry anti-soiling property that reduces soiling rates up to 95%.

MoreSun’s unique low-temperature curing technology allows it to be applied as a retrofit coating in the field for the approximately 70 GW of solar modules that do not have factory AR coatings. Extensive customer field data demonstrates that the product’s AR improvements will typically improve solar energy yield by 4% to 5% while the anti-soiling properties can improve energy yield up to an additional 4% to 8% in high dust environments.

«We are exceptionally grateful to have both Fortistar and Energy Innovation Capital, two leading sustainable energy-focused growth capital firms, as investors in Pellucere,» said CEO Robert Lukefahr. «In 2021, we expect to complete installation of the MoreSun coating on more than 500MW of retrofit solar projects in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Africa.»

In addition to the retrofit solar product, Pellucere also sells the MoreSun integrated Anti-Reflective/Anti-Soiling product to solar module and solar glass manufacturers. This single-step coating process allows solar original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to provide industry-leading AR performance as well as best-in-class anti-soiling performance at a far lower cost.

«We are excited to fund a high-growth company that is deploying proven solutions to key sustainability challenges by significantly improving the performance of existing and future solar installations,» said Nadeem Nisar, Managing Director of Fortistar.

«Pellucere has exceeded our technical performance expectations and we are glad to have Fortistar’s strong operations-focused team recognize and join in the execution of the company’s growth plans,» said George Coyle, Managing Partner at EIC.

Later this year, Pellucere expects to begin commercial rollout of its new, award-winning Talus AS™ anti-soiling product. The Talus Dirt Rejection Technology™ adds an anti-soiling layer on top of factory AR coatings to reduce cleaning costs and energy losses due to dust and dirt accumulation. Pellucere was recently awarded an American Made Solar prize from the U.S. Department of Energy and was a winner in the Iberdrola Startup Challenge for its solar anti-soiling products. Iberdrola is a global energy leader in renewable power generation with nearly 40GW in operation.

Pellucere was spun out of Oregon State University to commercialize the nano-technology developed by Dr. Chih-hung Chang and Dr. Seung-Yeol Han. The company has also developed and manufactures a patented robotic applicator system for the MoreSun coatings to enable high-precision, high-efficiency field application of the product.

In addition to MoreSun and Talus AS, the company has several other products currently in development in partnership with companies in the automotive and electronics industries. The company is based in Houston, Texas and Corvallis, Oregon.

For More Information:

Robert Lukefahr, CEO
info@pellucere.com
1-833-780-8800

Company Overview Video Link

About Fortistar

Founded in 1993, Fortistar is a privately-owned investment firm that provides capital to build, grow and manage companies that address complex sustainability challenges. Fortistar utilizes its capital, flexibility and operating expertise to grow high-performing companies, first in power generation and now in mobility, carbon capture, the circular economy and other solutions that drive our transition to a zero-carbon future. As a team, Fortistar has financed over $3.5 billion in capital for companies and projects in the energy, transportation and industrial sectors. For more information about Fortistar or its portfolio companies, please visit: www.Fortistar.com and follow the company on LinkedIn.

About EIC
Energy Innovation Capital is the premier capital provider for innovators serving the energy industry. EIC provides early and growth-stage funding for visionary entrepreneurs tackling global energy challenges with transformative, market-leading solutions. EIC’s team leverages our industry expertise, networks and collaborative approach to help talented entrepreneurs push the boundaries of what’s possible and build great companies. To learn more, visit www.energyinnovationcapital.com.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fortistar-and-energy-innovation-capital-invest-in-pellucere-technologies-301233018.html

SOURCE Pellucere Technologies

Dada Group’s JDDJ Has Offered 14 Million Degradable Plastic Bags Together with Supermarket Chains

SHANGHAI, Feb. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Dada Group (Nasdaq: DADA) («Dada» or the «Company»), China’s leading local on-demand delivery and retail platform, is pleased to announce that JD Daojia (JDDJ), Dada’s on-demand retail platform, is taking new measures to reduce the use of plastics and help the environment.

JDDJ is the largest local on-demand retail platform in the supermarket segment by GMV in the first nine months of 2020, according to an iResearch…

JDDJ is the largest local on-demand retail platform in the supermarket segment by GMV in the first nine months of 2020, according to an iResearch Report, and it has established partnership with more than 70 of the top 100 supermarket chains in China, including Walmart, Yonghui, CR Vanguard and regional dominant players. JDDJ’s service covers more than 1,200 cities and counties in China.

To date, JDDJ has collaborated with dozens of leading supermarket chains including Walmart, Yonghui, CR Vanguard, BBG Supermarket, Lotus, Zhongbai Supermarket, and Hualian Supermarket to offer degradable plastic bags in the majority of first- and second-tier cities. When consumers place orders on the JDDJ platform, these supermarkets will use degradable plastic bags for packaging and delivery. In December 2020, more than 14 million bags have been offered through the partnership.

The symbol of «Degradable plastic shopping bag for non-direct contact with food» is printed on the front of these plastic bag, as well as the environmental protection initiative that «Please use the recyclable bag to help the environment and save resources.»

While being committed to bringing people everything on demand, JDDJ plays a key role in supporting «plastic reduction» with retailers on the platform and promoting environmental friendly concepts with consumers. In the near future, JDDJ will offer degradable plastic bags in all cities covered by its business.

Meanwhile, JDDJ continues to be compliant with the relevant regulations and requirements of the state and local governments, fulfil the social responsibility of platform, and fully support plastic restriction with its businesses. Besides, JDDJ guides consumers to use degradable plastic bags for packaging in order to protect the environment.

About Dada Group

Dada Group is a leading platform of local on-demand retail and delivery in China. It operates JDDJ, one of China’s largest local on-demand retail platforms for retailers and brand owners, and Dada Now, a leading local on-demand delivery platform open to merchants and individual senders across various industries and product categories. The Company’s two platforms are inter-connected and mutually beneficial. The Dada Now platform enables improved delivery experience for participants on the JDDJ platform through its readily accessible fulfillment solutions and strong on-demand delivery infrastructure. Meanwhile, the vast volume of on-demand delivery orders from the JDDJ platform increases order volume and density for the Dada Now platform. In June 2020, Dada Group began trading on the Nasdaq Global Market, under the ticker symbol «DADA.»

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dada-groups-jddj-has-offered-14-million-degradable-plastic-bags-together-with-supermarket-chains-301233106.html

SOURCE Dada Group

Trase: The Indonesia’s pulp sector has achieved an 85% reduction of deforestation since 2011, but remains dependent on carbon-intensive peatland plantations

OXFORD, England, Feb. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — In recent decades, Indonesian wood pulp production has been associated with extensive social and environmental problems. Much of this has been driven by the clearing of over two million hectares of forest for wood fibre plantations to supply the country’s pulp mills. Many of these plantations are located on drained peatlands.

Pulp related deforestation in Indonesia reached its peak in 2011, when 150,000 hectares…

Pulp related deforestation in Indonesia reached its peak in 2011, when 150,000 hectares (ha) were cleared. But following the adoption of zero-deforestation commitments (ZDCs) by leading producers, the sector achieved an 85% reduction in deforestation through 2019. This success has generated much optimism, showing the potential for what can be achieved with concerted efforts to drive down deforestation rates.

The story behind this significant progress is one of the findings of Trase’s new Indonesia wood pulp supply chain map, available at trase.earth. Trase is a groundbreaking data-driven initiative, which provides data at scale, free-of-charge, mapping supply chains for key commodities from entire countries and regions.

The map of Indonesian pulp exports is the only commodity assessed by Trase to date in which 100% of exports are covered by ZDCs. The dataset was developed by the Trase team in collaboration with Indonesian non-governmental organisation Auriga, U.S.-based nonprofit Woods & Wayside International, and the Conservation Economics Lab at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Toby Gardner, Director of Trase, said: «We can now track pulp exports back to the specific plantations that contributed most of the pulpwood. This gives us the unique ability to link deforestation and peat fires to specific exports of pulp, and its final destination. This unprecedented level of transparency provides a tool for improved management of Indonesia’s pulp sector in the future, including by identifying the supply chains most connected to remaining deforestation hotspots.»

Robert Heilmayr, Assistant Professor, University of California, Santa Barbara added: «Trase’s new dataset highlights tensions in the pulp industry’s environmental record. Although the sector has made significant progress towards reducing deforestation, pulp exports maintain a large environmental footprint due to past clearing and continued production on drained peatlands.»

Today’s Indonesian pulp exports include a great deal of wood fibre grown on plantations established during the most recent boom of pulp-driven deforestation in 2004-2012.

Economic and environmental powerbrokers

Indonesia’s wood pulp industry plays a significant role in the country’s economy. In 2018, producers exported over US$7 billion in goods and provided thousands of jobs. China is by far the most significant importer of Indonesian pulp, much of which is then re-exported, and the trend is for increasing levels of trade.

Indonesia’s six active pulp mills are controlled by just three corporate groups – Sinar Mas and its primary subsidiary Asia Pulp & Paper (APP), Royal Golden Eagle and its primary subsidiary Asia Pacific Resources International Ltd (APRIL), and Marubeni. The first two groups accounted for 95% of Indonesia’s pulp exports in 2015-2019.

The growing significance of Indonesia’s pulp trade, and the subsequent influence of these two companies on both the economy and the environment, makes the need for transparent data like that on Trase.earth more necessary than ever.

Fire in pulpwood plantations and concerns over peatland impacts

The development of pulpwood plantations on drained peatlands was a major cause of Indonesia’s catastrophic fires during 2015 and 2019. In 2019, nearly 100,000 hectares burned inside the wood fibre concessions that supply Indonesia’s pulp mills; in the 2015 fire and haze crisis 342,000 hectares of pulpwood were alight. The Trase platform provides innovative tools for analyzing the impacts of fires within specific pulpwood plantation concessions.

Globally peatlands are the largest natural terrestrial carbon store. The Indonesian peat swamp forest fires in 2015 emitted nearly 16 million tonnes of CO₂ a day, reportedly more than the daily emissions from the entire US economy.^{^[1]} Damage to peatlands also results in biodiversity loss, and further damage to vital ecosystem services like regulating water flows.

Although Sinar Mas and Royal Golden Eagle Groups have made corporate commitments to manage peatlands in a responsible manner and to have no new development on peatlands in their supply chains, Trase data shows that both companies continue to source from plantations established on drained peat. To date, neither company has committed to phase-out their existing plantations on peatlands.

Timer Manurung, Executive Director of Auriga highlighted: «Indonesia’s pulp sector must balance continued growth against its commitments to end deforestation, reduce its dependence upon peatlands, and resolve conflicts with local communities. As the Indonesian government continues to allocate new plantation concessions in Kalimantan and Papua, the pulp sector needs to demonstrate its commitment to sustainability, including by strengthening the credibility of protections for High Conservation Value and High Carbon Stock Forests, and phasing out plantations on peatlands. Transparent data on supply chains are vital to ensure the continued improvement of this sector.»

Christopher Barr, Executive Director of Woods & Wayside International, added: «Indonesian producers have built some of the world’s largest pulp mills, and these multi-billion dollar facilities place enormous pressures on the landscapes in which they are situated. Producers’ heavy reliance on peatlands for wood supply is a key driver of catastrophic fire risk, especially as climate change is creating longer and more frequent droughts. As the industry has expanded, this reliance on peatlands has locked in the sector’s sizeable carbon footprint for the long term.»

Urgent protection of peatlands is crucial if Indonesia is to meet its obligations under the 2015 UN Paris Climate Agreement. The unprecedented level of detailed data transparency now available on the Trase platform provides a new tool to tackle this challenge.

Notes:

TRASE is a partnership between the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) and Global Canopy. The initiative uses publicly available data to map the links between consumer countries via trading companies to the places of production in unprecedented detail. Trase provides data at scale, free-of-charge, comprehensively mapping supply chains for key commodities from entire countries and regions. By 2021, Trase aims to map the trade of over 70% of total production in major forest risk commodities, catalysing a transformation in supply chain sustainability.

AURIGA or Auriga Nusantara Foundation is a non-governmental organization engaged in efforts to preserve natural resources and the environment to improve the quality of human life. To achieve our goals, we continue to conduct investigative research, encourage policy changes to better manage natural resources and the environment, and advocate through legal connections.

WOODS & WAYSIDE INTERNATIONAL is a non-profit organization that conducts scientific research, policy analysis, education, and strategic communications to support more accountable decision-making processes related to forests, especially in Indonesia, Brazil, and the United States.

CONSERVATION ECONOMICS LAB is part of the Environmental Studies Program at the University of California, Santa Barbara. The Conservation Economics Lab explores the way communities around the world use and conserve natural resources, combining econometric methods of causal inference with the data revolution made possible through advances in Earth observation.

For further insights on the Indonesian pulp sector, you can access:

Supply chain map

Methods and data sources

^{^[1]} https://www.iucn.org/resources/issues-briefs/peatlands-and-climate-change

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/trase-the-indonesias-pulp-sector-has-achieved-an-85-reduction-of-deforestation-since-2011-but-remains-dependent-on-carbon-intensive-peatland-plantations-301231059.html

SOURCE Trase

Shanghai Electric Guoxuan and Pacific Green Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Manufacture Battery Energy Storage Systems

SHANGHAI, Feb. 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Shanghai Electric Guoxuan New Energy Technology Co., Ltd («Shanghai Electric Guoxuan» or «the Company») and Pacific Green Technologies, Inc. («Pacific Green» or «PGTK») have signed a memorandum of understanding on the strategic manufacturing of battery energy storage systems. The two parties will leverage their respective advantages and resources to explore new energy storage system projects on an international level, paving the…

Pacific Green will oversee project implementation through its subsidiary Pacific Green Energy Storage Technology Co., Ltd. Drawing on its experience in the procurement and development of international energy storage projects, its scope includes system design, integration, and commercial optimization. Meanwhile, Shanghai Electric Guoxuan, a joint venture established in December 2017 between Shanghai Electric (SEHK: 02727, SSE: 601727) and Gotion High-Tech (SZSE: 002074), will leverage its expertise as a leading supplier to provide lithium battery systems.

Shanghai Electric Guoxuan focuses on the technology sectors of energy storage batteries and energy storage system integration. Its comprehensive business coverage includes the R&D, sales, and services of lithium battery storage systems, exploring advanced lithium battery storage materials, batteries, battery management, and full industry chain integrated systems. The Company has developed two long-life lithium iron phosphate batteries, which leverage advanced technology to optimize the material design and production processes. In addition to withstanding overcharging, short circuits, and overheating, these batteries boast industry-leading life cycles, meeting the high safety and long-life requirements of energy storage.

In December 2018, Shanghai Electric Guoxuan began laying the foundation for its Nantong lithium battery industrial base, with a planned capacity of 10GWh and a total project investment of RMB3 billion. On September 29, 2020, the Nantong base’s RMB 1.5 billion, 5GHw Phase 1 was officially completed and launched, boasting world-class production lines, intelligent production, and a factory digitization rate of 85%.

Other key domestic projects include:

Large-scale energy storage projects in Anhui, Qinghai, and more: Since 2017, Shanghai Electric has developed a number of energy storage projects in 13 provinces, cities, and autonomous regions across China, focusing primarily on energy microgrids, industrial and commercial energy storage, new energy storage, shared photovoltaic storage, and energy storage with integrated charging.
The Qinghai 32MW/64MWh shared energy storage project: An innovative first in new energy storage, Shanghai Electric launched its full industrial chain solution connecting source, network, charge, and storage through a new «shared energy storage» model on December 26, 2020.
Chongming Internet+ smart energy project: Since 2018, Shanghai Electric has implemented a series of smart engineering solutions for Xin’an Village, Sanxing Town. The project generates electricity with 100% renewable energy, adding an energy storage battery system, achieving peak cut, and configuring a set of reactive power compensation equipment to improve power quality. The energy management system controls both the on-grid and off-grid hybrid systems while ensuring electricity to lighting systems, charging stations, and other public facilities. As of the first half of 2020, the project celebrated more than 550 days of safe and successful operations, with a cumulative power generation of nearly 320,000 kWh, delivering nearly 190,000 kWh of clean, green energy to the grid. This means that carbon dioxide emissions have been reduced by approximately 320 tons, the equivalent of planting nearly 120 trees.
5G base stations batteries: Shanghai Electric Guoxuan has thus far achieved sales of more than RMB100 million at home and abroad, to provide lithium iron phosphate batteries to 5G base stations.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/shanghai-electric-guoxuan-and-pacific-green-sign-memorandum-of-understanding-to-manufacture-battery-energy-storage-systems-301232987.html

SOURCE Shanghai Electric

Kia Motors America renueva su patrocinio a la escuela de conducción para adolescentes B.R.A.K.E.S.

IRVINE, California, 22 de febrero de 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Kia Motors America y B.R.A.K.E.S. (Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe, «Sé responsable y mantén a todos seguros») anunciaron hoy la renovación de su alianza y continuo compromiso de reducir las tasas de accidentes y de salvar vidas al dar a los adolescentes y sus padres las herramientas necesarias para mantener una conducta responsable tras el volante. Fundada en 2008, B.R.A.K.E.S. combina la instrucción teórica con clases de conducción defensiva práctica usando vehículos Kia tanto para adolescentes como para sus padres. Se les solicita a los padres que participen en la instrucción junto con sus hijos adolescentes como una forma de reforzar las lecciones que aprenden los jóvenes durante sus clases y además como una manera de identificar y corregir cualquier mal hábito que pudieran haber adquirido a través de los años desde el momento en que aprendieron a conducir.

Las primeras clases de B.R.A.K.E.S. este año tuvieron lugar el pasado fin de semana, del 20 y 21 de febrero, en el autódromo zMax Dragway en Charlotte, Carolina del Norte. Dependiendo de las circunstancias que surjan a causa de la pandemia, se programarán clases adicionales a lo largo del país cuando sea apropiado. Se respetarán estrictamente todas las indicaciones de los CDC, y B.R.A.K.E.S. está implementando rutinas de limpieza y desinfectando sus aulas, puntos de contacto y vehículos con el fin de garantizar la seguridad de los estudiantes, padres e instructores. Además, B.R.A.K.E.S. ha reducido el número de estudiantes en sus clases y respetará las indicaciones de distanciamiento social y uso de mascarilla facial. Para registrarse en una clase o conocer el calendario entrante completo, visite www.putonthebrakes.org.

«La causa número uno de muerte entre los adolescentes son los accidentes automovilísticos. La educación y la instrucción para el mundo real son dos de los recursos más importantes que tenemos para lograr un cambio y marcar la diferencia en esa área, pero eso no sería posible sin la ayuda de Kia y la flota de vehículos de instrucción que aporta la empresa», comentó Doug Herbert, campeón de carreras de aceleración y fundador de B.R.A.K.E.S. «Resulta imposible determinar la cantidad exacta de vidas que han salvado las escuelas B.R.A.K.E.S durante los últimos 13 años. En total, hemos brindado instrucción a más de 94,000 adolescentes y sus padres. Pero incluso si podemos decir con certeza que hemos salvado una sola vida, ya merece la pena. El continuo compromiso y apoyo de Kia nos permite seguir haciendo que las vías de Estados Unidos sean más seguras para todos y estamos agradecidos de eso».

Kia es el vehículo oficial y el socio patrocinador de las escuelas B.R.A.K.E.S., y es gracias a su apoyo que B.R.A.K.E.S. puede ofrecer instrucción gratuita para todos los estudiantes. El patrocinio de Kia ayuda en la compensación de costos mediante una donación financiera y la flota de 44 vehículos Kia que incluye los modelos Soul, Rio y Forte, suministrados por Kia para cada clase.

Kia mantiene un compromiso con la seguridad vial y vehicular, y nuestra alianza con B.R.A.K.E.S. es un importante mecanismo que nos permite fortalecer nuestros esfuerzos de «Acelerar lo Bueno» mediante acciones concretas», señaló Russell Wager, vicepresidente de marketing de Kia Motors America. «Felicitamos a B.R.A.K.E.S. por el trabajo realizado, que salva vidas y que han establecido como su misión, y Kia se enorgullece de continuar esta colaboración en los años venideros».

Cada escuela B.R.A.K.E.S. incluye cuatro horas de instrucción, que comienzan con una breve presentación teórica en aula de 45 minutos, seguida por cerca de tres horas al volante usando vehículos Kia nuevos como parte de la instrucción práctica. El programa incluye sensibilización de distracciones al conducir, frenado de emergencia, recuperación del control fuera del camino, prevención de colisiones y control del vehículo en caso de resbale, que son las principales causas de accidente en conductores principiantes. Otros elementos educativos a menudo incluyen la seguridad ante vehículos de gran tamaño, demostraciones de primeros auxilios de extricación vehicular (la extracción de las víctimas desde el interior del automóvil en circunstancias de un accidente) y qué hacer en caso de un control de tránsito.

Acerca de Kia Motors America

Con sede en Irvine, California, Kia Motors America sigue encabezando las encuestas de calidad y es reconocida como una de las 100 mejores marcas mundiales. Kia es el «Socio automotor oficial» de la NBA y ofrece una gama completa de vehículos que se venden a través de una red de más de 750 concesionarios en los Estados Unidos, entre los que se incluyen automóviles y SUV orgullosamente construidos en West Point, Georgia.*

Para obtener información de prensa, incluyendo fotografías, visite www.kiamedia.com. Para recibir avisos personalizados por correo electrónico sobre comunicados de prensa al momento de su publicación, suscríbase en www.kiamedia.com/us/en/newsalert.

*Los modelos Telluride, Sorento y K5 se ensamblan en los Estados Unidos con partes de los Estados Unidos y de otros países.

Acerca de B.R.A.K.E.S.

Las escuelas B.R.A.K.E.S. (Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe) de Doug Herbert son una organización sin fines de lucro 501(c)3 con calificación Platinum de GuideStar, cuya misión es prevenir accidentes y salvar vidas mediante la educación e instrucción de conductores adolescentes y sus padres en torno a la importancia de la conducción segura y responsable. B.R.A.K.E.S. fue fundada en 2008, después de que el piloto de carreras de aceleración de categoría Top Fuel Doug Herbert perdió a sus dos jóvenes hijos, Jon y James, en un trágico accidente vehicular. Hoy en día, 30,000 adolescentes de 43 estados diferentes y cinco países, así como también sus padres, se han graduado de los cursos intensivos de media jornada de las escuelas B.R.A.K.E.S., los cuales son gratuitos y ofrecen ejercicios de habilidad práctica dirigidos por instructores profesionales en una flota de vehículos nuevos donados por Kia Motors America.

Logotipo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/812837/Kia_Motors_America_Logo.jpg

FUENTE Kia Motors America

Back #BeliKreatifDanauToba: Minister of Tourism Gets Behind New Campaign and Encourages Public to be Proud of Local Toba Products

MEDAN, Indonesia, Feb. 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — In a policy announcement on Saturday (20/02), Indonesia’s Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, encouraged the public to «get behind the new #BeliKreatifDanauToba movement» (BKDT) with pride in Indonesia and Lake Toba products.

<a…

The Minister announced the new policy alongside a series of guidelines by the Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan; the Governor of the Bank Indonesia Perry Warjiyo; Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati; Minister of Communications and Information Johny Gerard Plate, and the Vice Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Angela Tanoesoedibjo from Balige North Sumatra; and the Regent of Dairi Regency Eddy Keleng Ate Berutu.

Leading by example, Sandiaga launched the new Beli Kreatif Danau Toba policy at Debang Resort, Dairi, North Sumatra in a traditional songket Tapak Catur with Ulos Simalungun motif by local fashion designer, Irsan.

«I came directly from Dairi Regency wearing my traditional Tapak Catur songket clothes specifically to express my appreciation to this incredibly creative designer and to demonstrate my wholehearted support for the Beli Kreatif Danau Toba movement. This outfit is one of the many examples of local Toba products that have been transformed into one of Indonesian’s exclusive economic products,» said the Minister for Tourism and Creative Economy, Mr Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno.

#BeliKreatifDanauToba (BKDT)

The BKDT movement consists of two main programs:

Providing support to local Toba-based businesses through up-skilling
To improve marketability through «to market assistance», helping artisans expand domestic sales or export volume to increase turnover and employment.

To ensure the central BKDT policy’s success, MOTCE has prepared three strategies: innovation, adaptation, and collaboration to stimulate the tourism and creative economy sector in Indonesia.

Commenting on MoTCE’s support of the central government’s policy, Minister Uno, said «The three strategies and series of programs are designed to help facilitate the growth of Lake Toba’s 5,700 creative economy artisanal businesses in North Sumatra.»

He added, «In addition, as a grassroots campaign for the country, each has been designed with collaboration in mind between ministries, local governments, marketplaces, MSE communities, and creative economy actors so we can all play our part and show our support for Indonesia’s development.»

In line with the Bangga Buatan Indonesia (BBI) National Movement, launched by the President in 2020, MOTCE has also introduced the Beli Kreatif Lokal (purchase innovative local products) campaign. The new policy will provide market support and assistance to artisans in the fashion, crafts, and culinary subsectors in the Jabodetabek area.

In 2021, MOTCE will expand the BBI national movement derivative program to facilitate Indonesian artisans’ growth in North Sumatra under the BKDT program.

In addition, MOTCE will also promote Lake Toba as a ‘Super Priority Destination’, with development to be monitored by President Joko Widodo.

«Through this program, the MOTCE wants to encourage a sense of pride in the purchase and use of local products from North Sumatra among the public so that we can actively take part in national economic recovery,» Sandiaga explained.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/back-belikreatifdanautoba-minister-of-tourism-gets-behind-new-campaign-and-encourages-public-to-be-proud-of-local-toba-products-301232910.html

SOURCE Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy

Genie Energy Comments on Impact of Texas Market Electricity Price Spikes

NEWARK, N.J., Feb. 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Genie Energy (NYSE: GNE, GNEPRA) today said that it continues to serve its 10,000 customers across Texas with no change in their rates under their current agreements despite the unprecedented price volatility in real-time electricity prices last week.

<a…

Michael Stein, Genie’s CEO, commented, «First and foremost, our heart goes out to the many people across Texas who have suffered because of the extraordinarily severe weather this winter and particularly in the last week. We applaud the emergency services personnel who helped many Texans in need during this difficult period.

«Our retail supply business in Texas, Southern Federal Power, continues to provide electricity to customers with no change in rates, as it did throughout the extraordinary market conditions last week. Although real time costs climbed to levels that were well over 100 times the rates we charge our customers, we take very seriously our obligation to provide our customers with supply at the agreed upon fixed rates.

«Genie Energy had a robust commodity price risk management strategy in place to mitigate the financial impacts of price spikes, and our seasoned customer service team worked diligently with customers throughout the disruption. In that regard, we thank the thousands of customers who consulted with us over the past week. Our team provided our customers with hundreds of thousands of dollars in incentives and rewards to lower their consumption and reduce strain on the grid during the crisis,» Mr. Stein concluded.

Management continues to evaluate the financial impacts of the severe weather event in Texas. Its current estimate is that the impact on its consolidated, company-wide profitability for the first quarter of 2021 will be modest. The company expects to provide a full account of the impact when it announces its quarterly results.

In this press release, all statements that are not purely about historical facts, including, but not limited to, those in which we use the words «believe,» «anticipate,» «expect,» «plan,» «intend,» «estimate, «target» and similar expressions, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. While these forward-looking statements represent our current judgment of what may happen in the future, actual results may differ materially from the results expressed or implied by these statements due to numerous important factors, including, but not limited to, those described in our most recent report on SEC Form 10-K (under the headings «Risk Factors» and «Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations»), which may be revised or supplemented in subsequent reports on SEC Forms 10-Q and 8-K. We are under no obligation, and expressly disclaim any obligation, to update the forward-looking statements in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

ABOUT GENIE ENERGY LTD:
Genie Energy Ltd. (NYSE: GNE, GNEPRA), is a global provider of energy services. The Genie Retail Energy division supplies electricity, including electricity from renewable resources, and natural gas to residential and small business customers in the United States. The Genie Retail Energy International division supplies customers in Europe and Asia. The Genie Energy Services division includes Diversegy, a commercial and industrial brokerage and consultative services company, and Genie Solar Energy and Prism Solar, which design, supply and install commercial solar solutions. For more information, visit Genie.com.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/genie-energy-comments-on-impact-of-texas-market-electricity-price-spikes-301232893.html

SOURCE Genie Energy Ltd.

FIBRA Prologis Avanza con su Estrategia de Reciclaje de Activos

CIUDAD DE MÉXICO, 22 de febrero de 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — FIBRA Prologis (BMV: FIBRAPL 14) uno de los fideicomisos de inversión en bienes raíces líder en inversión y administración de inmuebles logísticos clase A en México, anunció hoy, en línea con su programa de reciclaje de activos, la finalización de dos transacciones. En el submercado de Toluca en la Ciudad de México, la empresa adquirió tres propiedades por un total de 258,912 pies cuadrados de espacio industrial por una inversión total de US$18.6 millones, incluyendo costos de cierre. Las propiedades fueron adquiridas a un tercero y están muy cerca del Aeropuerto Internacional de Toluca y Prologis Park Toluca I. Esta adquisición complementa el portafolio existente en Toluca, que está totalmente ocupado y ha tenido una fuerte demanda. Aunque actualmente las propiedades están vacantes, se espera que se renten este año.

Por separado, la compañía vendió tres edificios en Guadalajara por un total de 493,400 pies cuadrados por US$25.1 millones a un inversionista y desarrollador institucional líder. Las propiedades están ubicadas en el submercado de El Salto y actualmente están ocupadas en un 69%.

«Como parte de nuestro programa de reciclaje de activos, hemos podido fortalecer nuestro portafolio en Toluca al mismo tiempo que disminuimos nuestra exposición a Guadalajara, que ha tenido una mayor oferta de espacio durante el último año», dijo Luis Gutiérrez Guajardo, Director General de Prologis Property México. «Nuestro equipo de profesionales inmobiliarios hizo un gran trabajo con estas transacciones; creando valor para nuestros tenedores de certificados.»

PERFIL DE FIBRA PROLOGIS

FIBRA Prologis es uno de los fideicomisos de inversión en bienes raíces líder en inversión y administración de inmuebles industriales clase A en México. Al 31 de diciembre de 2020, FIBRA Prologis consistía de 205 inmuebles destinados a logística y manufactura ubicados en seis mercados industriales en México, con una Área Rentable Bruta total de 40.2 millones de pies cuadrados (3.7 millones de metros cuadrados).

DECLARACIONES SOBRE HECHOS FUTUROS

Este comunicado contiene algunas declaraciones sobre hechos futuros. Dichas declaraciones están basadas en expectativas actuales, estimaciones y proyecciones de la industria y los mercados en los cuales FIBRA Prologis opera, así como en creencias y suposiciones derivadas del Administrador de FIBRA Prologis. Dichas declaraciones implican incertidumbres que pudieren llegar afectar significativamente los resultados financieros de FIBRA Prologis. Palabras como «espera», «anticipa», «intenta», «planea», «cree», «busca», «estima» o variaciones de las mismas y expresiones similares tienen la intención de identificar dichas declaraciones sobre hechos futuros, que por lo general no son de naturaleza histórica. Todas las declaraciones en relación con el rendimiento operacional, eventos o desarrollos que esperamos o anticipamos que ocurran en el futuro, incluyendo, declaraciones relacionadas con renta y crecimiento ocupacional, actividades de desarrollo y cambios en las ventas o en el volumen de propiedades a ser aportadas, enajenaciones, condiciones generales en las áreas geográficas en las que operamos, y nuestra deuda y posición financiera, serán consideradas declaraciones sobre hechos futuros. Estas declaraciones no garantizan un rendimiento futuro e implican ciertos riesgos, incertidumbres y supuestos que son difíciles de predecir. No obstante que creemos que las estimaciones contenidas en cualquier declaración sobre hechos futuros están basadas en suposiciones razonables, no podemos asegurar que nuestras expectativas se cumplirán y por lo tanto los resultados reales podrían diferir materialmente de lo expresado o previsto en dicha declaración. Algunos de los factores que pudieren llegar afectar dichas resultados incluyen, pero no se limitan, a: (i) la situación económica internacional, regional y local, (ii) los cambios en los mercados financieros, tasas de interés y tipos de cambio de moneda extranjera, (iii) aumento en, o surgimiento de, competencia respecto de nuestras propiedades, (iv) los riesgos asociados con adquisiciones, enajenación y desarrollo de propiedades, (v) el mantenimiento del régimen y estructura fiscal de un fideicomiso de inversión en bienes raíces, (vi) la disponibilidad de financiamiento y capital, los niveles de endeudamiento que mantengamos y nuestras calificaciones, (vii) los riesgos relacionados con nuestras inversiones, (viii) incertidumbres ambientales, incluyendo los riesgos de desastres naturales, y (ix) los factores de riesgo adicionales discutidos en los comunicados, informes, reportes, prospectos y suplementos presentados ante la Comisión Nacional Bancaria y de Valores y la Bolsa Mexicana de Valores, S.A.B. de C.V., por FIBRA Prologis, bajo el rubro «Factores de Riesgo». Ni Prologis ni FIBRA Prologis asumen obligación alguna de actualizar las declaraciones sobre hechos futuros que aparecen en este comunicado.

Logo – http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/568236/PLD_FIBRA_LOGO_COLOR_2x.jpg

FUENTE FIBRA Prologis