Day: September 9, 2021

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Sphera Announces Expanded Availability of Environmental, Social and Governance Reporting Solutions

Sphera’s ESG offering supports companies on the path to net zero while reducing operational risk and enhancing brand reputation.

CHICAGO, Sept. 09, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sphera®, a global leader in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) risk and performance management software, data and consulting services, announces the widespread availability of its integrated ESG solutions. They consist of a comprehensive suite of data, software and consulting services that help customers quickly and effectively elevate their ESG performance and reporting capability.

With this expanded offering, Sphera customers will have better access to data-driven insights to maximize cost-effectiveness, increase the value of their investments in corporate social responsibility efforts, and satisfy both traditional compliance and future sustainability needs. Managing ESG performance reduces exposure to environmental risk, increases revenue and drives organizations into a sustainable future. With growing investor demand for measurable ESG progress, business leaders need to be able to demonstrate their ESG performance with clarity and confidence. Sphera has adapted its technology suite to specifically address this burgeoning market need. Features of Sphera’s integrated ESG solutions include:

  • Industry-based sustainability data to provide reliable data-driven insights—close to 15,000 datasets for more than 20 industries—into a company’s value chain and create a foundation for fact-based improvement and communication of your ESG performance.
  • Connected, scalable software solutions to ensure transparency and increase the efficiency of each stage of a customer’s sustainability and ESG journey.
  • Expert-led ESG guidance from sustainability consultants to bring deep sector and method-specific knowledge into the equation.

Moving toward a net-zero emission target is one of the most important metrics for ESG reporting. However, the assessment, management and reduction of Scope 3 emissions are the most difficult parts to achieve due to the huge amount of information that needs to be collected and analyzed. Sphera’s combination of data, software and expertise helps companies address these strategic decarbonization challenges.

Sphera’s ESG solution also incorporates a number of widely accepted disclosure framework standards, such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI).  This flexibility enables companies across industries to efficiently report their sustainability activities in relevant, sector-specific terms.

“Innovation has always been at the heart of Sphera’s mission, and our laser focus on staying ahead of the risk management curve has helped us evolve to become a leading integrated ESG software, data and services organization—at a time when our clients need these services the most,” said Paul Marushka, Sphera’s president and CEO. “Companies with the highest levels of ESG performance see greater returns on their investments, and we believe our comprehensive solutions can help them harness this powerful correlation.”

Sphera has long been at the forefront of innovative sustainability reporting solutions, leveraging its triple-powered approach of Innovation, Information and Insights to help companies improve their ESG performance.​ Verdantix, an independent analyst firm, recently named Sphera as a market leader for environmental compliance, sustainability management and sustainability reporting in its EHS Software Benchmark report. Sphera achieved the highest aggregate score for environmental compliance management and Corporate Sustainability solutions.

“Sphera is one of the few digital solution providers to bring together capabilities for sustainability reporting, ESG risk management and product stewardship. They’ve made meaningful investments in building their ESG reporting capabilities,” added David Metcalfe, CEO of Verdantix. “Their recognition in our EHS Software Benchmark report is a direct reflection of their commitment to leading the way for corporate sustainability excellence.”

To learn more about how Sphera is helping customers in their sustainability journey, read about how the company helped Aptar, a global leader in packaging and drug delivery devices, validate their ESG risks and opportunities according to the TCFD methodology.

Dr. Michele Del Grosso, global program manager of sustainability at Aptar said that, “Sphera’s corporate sustainability and strategy experts provided Aptar with valuable insights into the financial implications of our climate-related risks and opportunities. This enabled us to provide our stakeholders with valid proof of our environmental performance. By integrating the results into CDP reporting, we were able to improve ESG performance and recognition to become a CDP 2020 Climate A-List company.”

For additional information on how Sphera is helping customers meet and exceed ESG performance goals, visit https://sphera.com/begin-your-esg-sustainability-journey/.

About Sphera

Sphera creates a safer, more sustainable and productive world. We are a leading global provider of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performance and risk management software, data and consulting services with a focus on Environment, Health, Safety & Sustainability (EHS&S), Operational Risk Management and Product Stewardship.

For media enquiries, please contact:

[email protected]

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New Global Study Supports Healthy Buildings as a Critical Public Health Strategy

Study substantiates prior findings that improved indoor air quality leads to enhanced cognitive function and health of building occupants

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla., Sept. 9, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — For the first time on a global scale, new research has found that healthy buildings with enhanced ventilation can improve the cognitive function and health of occupants, suggesting that ventilation and filtration are preeminent healthy building strategies. The study, COGfx Study 3: Global Buildings, was led by researchers from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health as part of the renowned COGfx Study series, which examines the impact of indoor air quality on how people think and feel. This latest study supports the prior studies’ lab and U.S. findings and further supports that indoor air quality is not only good for people’s health and safety, it’s good for the bottom line – through increased productivity, fewer sick days and better cognitive function.

“As more people move toward returning to offices, schools and recreational activities, the health, safety and intelligence of indoor environments have come into greater focus,” said Dave Gitlin, Chairman & CEO, Carrier. “The COGfx Study continues to demonstrate that proper ventilation and filtration of indoor environments plays an important role across the globe in fostering a proactive health strategy. At Carrier, we are focused on delivering innovative solutions and services that positively impact the health, productivity and cognitive performance of occupants of all buildings.”

The COGfx Study 3: Global Buildings examined the impact of indoor air quality on the cognitive function of office workers across six countries – China, India, Mexico, Thailand, the United Kingdom and the United States. The research found that cognitive function declines as the levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and carbon dioxide (CO2) increase. Higher CO2 can be an indicator of poor ventilation in buildings.

Importantly, mechanical ventilation, such as an HVAC system with efficient filtration, can help to protect building occupants from the negative cognitive effects of PM2.5 and CO2. In addition to acute impacts on cognitive function, reducing exposure to PM2.5 is associated with many other health benefits including reductions in cardiovascular disease, asthma attacks, and premature death.

While the research focused on office employees in commercial buildings, the takeaways are applicable for all indoor environments. Carrier offers numerous products and services that optimize indoor air quality, including a suite of advanced solutions through Carrier’s Healthy Buildings Program that serves key verticals including, healthcare, hospitality, education, retail and marine. Carrier’s Healthy Buildings Program offers innovations including:

  • Abound – A digital, cloud-native platform that aggregates data from different systems and sensors and provides transparency into insights about air quality, thermal comfort, and other performance data.
  • OptiClean™ Dual-Mode Air Scrubber & Negative Air Machine – A portable negative air machine, which cleans and removes air potentially contaminated by the coronavirus.
  • Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Assessments – A selection of IAQ assessments to identify healthy building strategies that can be applied to buildings now and ensure solutions are effective long into the future.

This latest research builds on previous COGfx studies that demonstrated better thinking and better health can be found inside healthier buildings. The first study found cognitive function test scores doubled when study participants were in simulated green building environments with enhanced ventilation as opposed to conventional building environments. The COGfx Study 2 examined real-world building environments in the U.S. and showed that employees in green-certified buildings showed 26% higher cognitive function test scores and 30% fewer sick building symptoms versus buildings that were not green-certified.

The COGfx Study 3 can be found here and full reports are available at www.theCOGfxStudy.com. Follow the discussion on Twitter using the hashtag #TheCOGfxStudy.

Primary support for the study came from Carrier Global Corporation (NYSE:CARR).

About Carrier

As the leading global provider of healthy, safe, sustainable and intelligent building and cold chain solutions, Carrier Global Corporation is committed to making the world safer, sustainable and more comfortable for generations to come. From the beginning, we’ve led in inventing new technologies and entirely new industries. Today, we continue to lead because we have a world-class, diverse workforce that puts the customer at the center of everything we do. For more information, visit www.Corporate.Carrier.com or follow us on social media at @Carrier.

Contact: Danielle Canzanella
860-221-8457
Danielle.Canzanella@carrier.com

PDF – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1611980/Corporate_Carrier_COGfx_Study_3_Results_Infographic_0921.pdf

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In First Summit with International Business & Government Leaders, Essential Workers to Discuss Framework for Just COVID-19 Recovery

*Tune into Day 2 of the Summit at 13:00 GMT at essentialforrecovery.org*

London, UK, Sept. 09, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Wednesday, Sept. 8 marked the opening day of the first-ever global summit of essential workers. Participants from around the world tuned in to a powerful conversation about an economic recovery that prioritizes essential workers, especially women in the informal economy.

“Universal social protections for essential workers are no longer a choice for governments; it is a very necessary move for governments to take,” Lorraine Sibanda, president of StreetNet International, an international alliance of street vendors, told the crowd.

The Essential for Recovery summit, which runs from September 8 through September 10, brings together essential workers from North and South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia with global business and government leaders to discuss a framework for a just economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. The event centers the demands of care workers and the 61% of workers worldwide who labor in the informal economy, including domestic workers, agricultural workers, street vendors, and home-based workers.

“Home-based workers contribute around $300 billion to the economy, but they don’t get any benefit out of it. We are part of supply chains but we are not recognized as contributors to the supply chains,” said Saira Feroze of the Home-Based Women Workers Federation, on Day 1 of the summit.

The first day of the innovative summit brought together diverse voices from across the globe. Martha Chen, a lecturer at Harvard and senior advisor to Women in Informal Employement: Globalizing and Organizing (WIEGO), interviewed Rosheda Muller, president of the South African Informal Traders Alliance, on how street vendors are organizing globally. Legendary South African labor leader Myrtle Witbooi spoke with Maina Kiai, senior official at Human Rights Watch and former United Nations Special Rapporteur. And actor and activist Martin Sheen and actress Yalitza Aparicio made special appearances.

“COVID-19 taught us the importance of all workers in different sectors, recognizing that they deserve decent work and are important in the global economy. Governments know about this issue, but what are they doing about it?” asked Aparicio, who was nominated for an Oscar for her performance in the 2019 movie Roma.

Day 2 of the event on Thursday will focus on the fight against inequality, sexual harassment, and abuse in the workplace. Guests include: Rosa Pavanelli, the General Secretary of Public Services International, interviewing “Mama Union” Rose Omamo, leader of the Kenyan metal workers union; journalist Xanthe Scharff interviewing Mercedes D’Alessandro, feminist economist and Argentine government official; and journalist Reena Ninan interviewing business leader Brid Gould of Sodexo.

About Essential For Recovery:

The Essential for Recovery Summit is led by non-profit labor organizations — including  HomeNet International, International Domestic Workers’ Federation, International Trade Union Confederation, Solidarity Center, StreetNet International, UNI Global Union, and Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing and Organizing — and supported by the Open Society Foundations.

Communications
Open Society Foundations 
(212)-548-0378
media@opensocietyfoundations.org
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TESCO announce suspension of power supply

PESHAWAR: Tribal Electricity Supply Company (TESCO) has announced that power supply will remain suspended from 9 am to 4 pm on September 11 to 12 due to necessary repair work at 132KV GSS New Jamrud.

According to TESCO press release issued here on Thursday, areas connected with 11 KV Express commercial feeder, 11KV Jamrud-I,III, 11KV Sur Qamar-I,III, 11KV Old and New Pump House, 11KV Iftikhar Steel, 11KV Irfan Steel, 11KV Miraj Khalid Steel and 11 KV Khalil Steel will face power shutdown.

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KP CM directs authorities to take necessary steps for timely completion of PSDP Projects

PESHAWAR: A total of 33 new development projects of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been reflected in the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) for the year 2021-22 out of which 14 projects would be executed by the Provincial Government and other 19 projects would be executed by the Federal Government.

The provincial government has also started preparations to include its priority projects in PSDP of 2022-23, and initially 66 important development projects in different sectors have been identified including 13 projects in Communication and Works sector, 12 in Agriculture, 8 in Irrigation Sector, 9 in Higher Education, 5 in Energy, 4 projects in the Sports and Tourism Sector.

This was told in a meeting held here with Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan in the chair to discuss PSDP Projects. The meeting discussed and reviewed the progress so far made on the ongoing development projects of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under PSDP, the projects reflected in the current PSDP and proposed schemes to be presented for the inclusion in next PSDP.

Provincial Minister Taimur Salim Jhagra, Additional Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah, Principal Secretary to CM Amjad Ali Khan, Administrative Secretaries of concerned departments and other relevant officials attended the meeting.

Briefing about the proposed development projects of provincial government for the next PSDP, it was told that a total of 66 development projects had been identified for the inclusion in PSDP of next fiscal year. Important proposed projects include dualization of road from Indus Highway to Bannu City, rehabilitation of Tall-Parachinar Road, provision of water to Peshawar City from Mohmand Dam, construction of social welfare offices in all merged districts, construction of social welfare complexes in the five settled districts, establishing an economic zone at Darraban, establishment of women business park in Peshawar, construction of sport complex at Regi Lalma Town Peshawar, Khal Grater Water Supply Scheme Lower Dir, construction of 495 MW Hydro Power Project at Chitral etc.

The chief minister has directed all concerned authorities to complete all the pre-requisites and preparations in order to ensure inclusion of provincial projects in the PSDP of 2022-23 adding that PC-1s, feasibility studies and engineering designs of all the proposed projects should be completed by the end of this year and submitted to relevant federal forum for approval. He also directed the concerned authorities to take necessary steps to ensure timely completion of ongoing PSDP Projects in the province and to initiate tendering process of the new project so that physical work on the same could be started well in time.

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KP CM expresses sorrow over death of Senator Faisal Wada’s mother

PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan has expressed sorrow over the death of Senator Faisal Wada’s mother and offered condolences to his family.

In his condolence statement issued here, the Chief Minister conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for the forgiveness of the deceased.

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Punjab Govt puts agriculture sector on track: Usman Buzdar

LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar has said the steps taken for the betterment of farmers have started yielding positive results to develop the agriculture sector on modern lines.

He expressed the satisfaction that the record harvest of wheat, sugarcane and other crops has been achieved in 2020-21. The 40-kilogram support price of wheat and sugarcane has been ensured at the rate of Rs.1800 and Rs.200, respectively, he said. Meanwhile, 2.09 million ton wheat, 57 million ton sugarcane, 56.82 lakh ton potatoes, 19.25 lakh ton green gram, 78.52 lakh ton maize, 53 lakh ton paddy rice and 90 thousand ton sesame crops have been produced in Punjab, added Usman Buzdar.

It is satisfying that the maiden agri policy has been approved and being implemented in the province, he appended. Furthermore, 147 new crop varieties have been approved by Punjab Seed Council and 146 new grain markets are registered under Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority Act; he said and added that farmers’ platforms have also been set up in 105 agri markets across Punjab. The government was paying Rs.1.5 billion premium to the insurance companies for crops’ insurance and the subsidy amounts were being directly transferred to farmers’ accounts due to the launch of kisan cards, he mentioned.

While highlighting the PM Emergency Program, the CM affirmed that the work is in progress on numerous agri projects valuing Rs.300 billion. Rs.12.5 billion subsidies are given on fertilizers along with Rs.4.4 billion subsidies for the purchase of certified seeds and agri machinery. Similarly, farmers are given Rs.65 crore subsidy for buying laser land levellers in addition to the provision of interest-free loans costing Rs.45 million through an e-credit scheme, he said.

It is satisfying that farmers have earned an additional income of three billion rupees due to the restoration of barren lands in various parts of the province. A sum of Rs.3.62 billion is reserved for purchasing the latest drip/sprinkler system with the facility of 60 per cent subsidy, he disclosed. Similarly, Rs.42.90 crore is allotted to install the solar system with the facility of a 50 per cent subsidy, concluded the CM.

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Usman Buzdar condoles death of Journalist Hafiz Zaheer Awan

LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar has expressed a deep sense of sorrow over the death of Hafiz Zaheer Awan, a senior journalist.

He extended sympathies to the bereaved family and prayed that may Allah Almighty rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant courage to them to bear the loss with fortitude.

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New era of development begin in South Punjab: CM

LAHORE: The PTI-led government has removed the deprivations of south Punjab and a new era of development has been started to include south Punjab in the development process.

Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar said the government has fulfilled every promise made to the people. The government believes in performance instead of hollow slogans; he repeated and regretted that south Punjab was badly ignored as the past governments continued to beguile the people while spending south Punjab’s budget on favourite districts.

He iterated that the south Punjab secretariat has been given administrative autonomy and 17 departments are attached with it. Now, the people will not have to travel to Lahore for the solution of their problems, he continued. The incumbent government is giving the people of south Punjab their rights and its budget will not be appropriated for any other purpose, he stated.