Fintech PR
Fitwel & EVORA Global Launch ‘Social Performance’ Following Successful Completion of Pilot Program with Leading Companies in Real Estate
Newly branded entity-wide certification pathway quantifying health & value for “S” in ESG expands to exclusive group of early adopters for Phase 2 of launch
CANNES, France, March 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Fitwel®, the global healthy building certification and data insights platform, launched phase two of its groundbreaking new solution that, for the first time, quantifies Social performance by overlaying health research and financial data to identify strategies that have the greatest impact on stakeholders and asset value. Phase one was successfully piloted last year in collaboration with sustainability advisor, EVORA Global, enlisting an exclusive first cohort of some of the largest commercial real estate owners and asset managers worldwide. This portfolio-scale certification pathway has proven to be essential for substantiating “S” data for real estate, addressing the growing demand – driven by both investors and forthcoming regulations – for a rigorous and standardized approach to integrate “Social” metrics, including health and wellbeing measures, into ESG reporting. Social Performance by Fitwel will receive recognition by GRESB for 2024 reporting.
First introduced in 2023 under the name Certified Metrics, Social Performance by Fitwel realizes the potential for an entity-wide ESG solution by offering a complimentary pathway to Fitwel’s asset certification, effectively addressing a prominent market gap. Together, the existing asset-level certification and Social Performance provide 100% portfolio assessment, allowing asset managers and investors to:
- Generate portfolio-wide insights for social and material risk;
- Optimize asset performance by generating gap analysis based on S criteria;
- Report on goal-based performance with third-party certified data;
- Compare performance to industry peers;
- Include all assets in certification assessments.
Fitwel has begun rolling out Phase 2 of Social Performance. For more information and to become an early adopter, visit fitwel.org/socialperformance.
The initial pilot of Social Performance was led by Fitwel Leadership Advisory Board (LAB) members, including BGO, Harrison Street, Hudson Pacific Properties, Lendlease Americas, PGIM, QuadReal Property Group, and Vornado Realty Trust, and expanded to a larger pilot cohort, including Barings, Kayne Anderson Real Estate, Fabrix, and others.
While voluntary ESG reporting has become the norm, nearly half of investors find the ‘S’ to be the most difficult ESG factor to codify, analyze and embed into investment strategies, according to a 2022 Deloitte Survey. At the same time, in the European market, anticipated reporting regulations will require more stringent reporting standards for ESG metrics, particularly as commercial real estate companies in Europe prepare for their first round of Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive reporting.
The new social solution is the result of years-long analysis by Fitwel’s non-profit research arm, the Center for Active Design, on the economic impacts of the evidence-based strategies included in the Fitwel Standard. This resulted in the identification of a subset of strategies with the greatest impact on not only occupant and community health, but also material risk and financial value.
“Social Performance by Fitwel is the only certification pathway applicable to all real estate assets and designed to measure and track the Social performance of real estate funds on an entity scale. Together with EVORA Global and the first cohort of pilot users, we have made it possible to clearly define the value of Social strategies, providing structured insights to inform continuous improvement for stakeholders – an industry first,” said Joanna Frank, President & CEO of Fitwel. “Social reporting will become as commonplace as environmental reporting in the coming years, and we’re thrilled to accelerate this transformation right here at MIPIM, the largest global stage for commercial real estate in the world.”
Philippa Gill, Executive Director at EVORA Global, added: “We are delighted to be working with Fitwel on such a critical step forward for the real estate sector. Every building has been created for people, whether to live, eat, work or shop, and the new Social Performance portfolio methodology now allows investors and managers to understand and track the human and financial impact of social measures.”
Social Performance by Fitwel in Action
Pilot users from a diverse range of real estate investors and fund managers provided invaluable input which enabled the product to be ready for a full public launch.
QuadReal Property Group, a long-time strategic partner and Fitwel investor, was a first adopter of Fitwel’s social solution, Social Performance, as a pilot user, providing invaluable input to help craft a market-ready tool for the industry.
“Through thoughtful placemaking, QuadReal contributes to the resilience of local economies by creating spaces that improve health and wellbeing. Buildings are a vital component of a healthy society and we are committed to improving environments that support individual and community wellbeing. The Social Performance report by Fitwel is one way we can dive deeper into understanding the health aspects of our portfolio and how it compares to peers,” said Jamie Gray-Donald, Senior Vice President, Sustainability & EHS at QuadReal. “We have been an early user of the Fitwel certification program to support our approach to health and wellness and Social Performance provides the benchmarking summary. It allows us to continue refining specific health-promoting initiatives across the portfolio in a thoughtful and strategic way.”
Fitwel & EVORA at MIPIM
Joanna Frank and Philippa Gill will both be attending and participating at MIPIM 2024 at Palais des Festivals convention centre in Cannes, France. Joanna will be speaking on a panel session titled, Demonstrating Social Impact: Leveraging Qualitative Research for Effective Communication and Reporting on Thursday March 14th at 11:10am at the Make It Happen Stage (Palais 3).
About Fitwel
Fitwel is the world’s leading certification system committed to building health for all. Generated by expert analysis of 7,000+ academic research studies, Fitwel is implementing a vision for a healthier future where all buildings and communities are enhanced to strengthen health and well-being. Fitwel was originally created by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention and U.S. General Services Administration. The CDC remains the research and evaluation partner for Fitwel. The Center for Active Design (CfAD), a global not-for-profit organization, maintains the Fitwel standard and conducts objective third-party assessments that lead to certified projects. CfAD’s new business unit, Adai (pronounced “a-DAY”), is charged with expanding Fitwel to the global market, administering the program while providing best-in-class customer service and technical support. To learn more about Fitwel, please visit: www.fitwel.org.
About EVORA Global
EVORA Global is a premier sustainability advisor, providing comprehensive, industry-leading climate solutions for real asset investors. With over a decade of experience, EVORA is dedicated to addressing the climate challenge posed by the real asset industry, focusing on the needs of investors in the built environment. Its clients include many of the biggest names in global real estate, including Invesco Real Estate, Hines and M&G. Founded in 2011, the company now has over 200 staff and 250 clients.
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/fitwel–evora-global-launch-social-performance-following-successful-completion-of-pilot-program-with-leading-companies-in-real-estate-302084597.html
Fintech PR
UN International Procurement Seminar Held in Asia for the First Time: A Collaborative Initiative Between the UN and Ningbo
NINGBO, China, Nov. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — On November 13, the 2024 United Nations International Procurement Seminar (IPS) commenced in Ningbo, marking the first time this authoritative, high-profile and professional conference has been held in Asia. The event brought together 50 senior procurement officials and representatives from 16 UN agencies, alongside over 200 supplier representatives from both domestic and international markets.
The selection of Ningbo as the venue prompts the question of why the UN chose Asia, and specifically China, for this significant event. A representative from the UN Development Programme (UNDP) office in China encapsulated the sentiment with the phrase “mutual engagement.”
In recent years, the total value of UN procurement has steadily climbed, reaching as high as $29.6 billion. Traditionally, the IPS has been held primarily in Europe three times a year. As the UN seeks to innovate its procurement methods and achieve sustainable development goals, it has increasingly turned its attention to China.
“China has a diverse industrial landscape, offering high-quality products and services at competitive prices. By increasing its procurement of Chinese goods, the UN can enhance the efficiency of its funding use, allowing more developing countries to benefit from UN development aid projects. This aligns with our mutual interests,” noted an official from the Ministry of Commerce’s Department of International Trade and Economic Relations.
Ningbo has consistently emphasized the importance of UN procurement, organizing various initiatives for local enterprises to engage in UN procurement activities in recent years. In September last year, the city hosted the China (Ningbo) UN Procurement Promotion Conference, helping nearly 110 companies successfully register on the official United Nations Global Marketplace (UNGM) website.
Following this event, the UNDP office in China expressed gratitude, recognizing Ningbo’s thriving manufacturing and foreign trade service sectors as having substantial potential to provide innovative solutions for UN procurement. “Ningbo serves as both a catalyst and a bridge, linking China with the world and the UN,” stated Neris M. Baez, Director of the UN Secretariat Procurement Division.
The UN procurement system offers several advantages, including duty exemptions, low exchange rate risks, market stability, and avoidance of trade barriers. These factors can assist in opening markets in countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, generating potential benefits and spillover effects.
“China possesses a comprehensive and robust industrial and supply chain and is a globally influential logistics hub. However, we currently lack the necessary channels to connect with international high standards. The key to expanding institutional openness lies in mastering international high-standard trade regulations,” emphasized a representative from the Ningbo Committee of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade.
If this seminar enables participants to become familiar with international high-standard trade regulations, it could establish a robust support system for engaging in UN procurement. This would create new opportunities in the international public procurement sector, empowering enterprises to secure more international orders through the UNGM website. From this perspective, the seminar represents an important “icebreaking journey.”
Contact: Sun Jiali
Tel.: 0086-18069269225
E-mail: [email protected]
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2558091/Ningbo_1.jpg
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2558092/Ningbo_2.jpg
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2217761/5027596/Ningbo_International_Communications_Center_Logo.jpg
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/un-international-procurement-seminar-held-in-asia-for-the-first-time-a-collaborative-initiative-between-the-un-and-ningbo-302305844.html
Fintech PR
Blockchain for Good Alliance Hosts Web3 Oscar, Celebrating Innovators Advancing UN’s Sustainable Development Goals
DUBAI, UAE, Nov. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The highly anticipated Web3 Oscar, a prestigious event hosted by the Blockchain for Good Alliance (BGA), celebrating blockchain projects driving real-world impact aligned with the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Industry leaders gathered in Bangkok to honour innovators shaping a sustainable future.
The event was part of BGA’s November lineup, featuring two major initiatives for global change through blockchain: the Sustainable Innovation Summit and the Web3 Oscar Awards.
Sustainable Innovation Summit: A Hackathon for Social Impact
Held from September 9 to November 11, 2024, the Sustainable Innovation Summit hosted a hackathon with a $100,000 prize pool, inviting participants worldwide to create blockchain solutions addressing key issues such as poverty, clean water access, and gender equality. The summit concluded with a Demo Day at the Grand Hyatt Erawan in Bangkok, where finalists showcased their projects to blockchain pioneers, investors, and industry leaders, with opportunities for incubation support and equity-free funding.
Rising Stars
In a cinematic presentation style, 10 shortlisted projects from across the globe, participating in the Sustainable Innovation Summit’s 17 SDGs Challenge, took the stage. Each team presented their blockchain solutions to address sustainability challenges, telling the story of a “hero” confronting a global crisis (one of the 17 SDGs), with blockchain as the “tool” they wield for change.
Winners for the 17 SDGs Challenge:
- 1st Place: Grand Social Impact Award 🥇 EthicHub
- 2nd Place: Outstanding Social Innovation Award 🥈 Plastic Odyssey
- 3rd Place: Emerging Impact Award 🥉 ResearchHub
Rising Star Awards (top 10 projects, in no specific order):
- Wavy Health
- LAKE (LAK3)
- KulaDAO
- erable°
- arkreen
- UCO Network
- Edu3Labs
Web3 Oscar Awards: Honouring Leaders in Blockchain for Social Good
Coinciding with the hackathon’s Demo Day on November 11, the BGA Web3 Oscar Award recognizes individual contributions to blockchain for social good across three categories, with up to 7 total winners.
Each category highlights individual efforts aligning with BGA’s mission.
The Collaboration Bridge Award honours individuals who have played a vital role in guiding the strategic direction of the Blockchain for Good Alliance (BGA). This year’s recipients are:
- Harn, CEO of Trigger Asset Management
- Mariana de la Roche Wills from INATBA (International Association for Trusted Blockchain Applications) and de la Roche W. Consulting
The Public Welfare Contribution Award celebrates individuals who have harnessed #BlockchainForGood. This award was presented to:
- BreeAnne Yek, Consultant at The Verdant Room
- Milica Dimitrijevic from Positiveblockchain.io
These individuals have demonstrated remarkable dedication, guidance, and pioneering work, significantly advancing the mission of the Blockchain for Good Alliance (BGA) in promoting sustainable development through blockchain technology.
In her closing remarks, Helen Liu, Co-founder and COO of Bybit and founder of BGA, explained how blockchain can bring people together to make a real difference worldwide. Her vision for leveraging blockchain to create worldwide impact was both inspiring and forward-thinking.
About Blockchain for Good Alliance (BGA)
The Blockchain for Good Alliance (BGA) is a long term collaborative non-profit initiative with key partners with the main aim to contribute to societal good by using blockchain technology to solve real world problems. By convening leaders, innovators, and organisations from across the blockchain community, BGA seeks to drive innovation, collaboration, and action towards a more sustainable and equitable world.
For more information
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.blockchainforgood.xyz
Twitter: www.twitter.com/chainforgood
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2558063/Blockchain_Good_Alliance_Hosts_Web3_Oscar_Celebrating_Innovators_Advancing_UN_s.jpg
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2386817/Blockchain_For_Good_Logo.jpg
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/blockchain-for-good-alliance-hosts-web3-oscar-celebrating-innovators-advancing-uns-sustainable-development-goals-302305827.html
Fintech PR
Volante Technologies launches real-time payments intelligence solution for financial institutions
Volante Payments Intelligence gives all stakeholders a deep, accurate assessment of business performance, driving increased operational efficiency, time-to-market, internal innovation, and business growth
NEW YORK, Nov. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Volante Technologies, the global leader in Payments as a Service (PaaS), today announced the launch of Volante Payments Intelligence, a powerful new solution that offers financial institutions unparalleled visibility and operational control over their payments business. A modular component of the Volante Payments Platform, the solution enables banks to better understand their payments operations, simplifying decision-making while improving business performance.
Volante Payments Intelligence addresses the increasing volume and complexity of the payments landscape, driven by the proliferation of real-time payments, the adoption of ISO 20022, and the digitization of payment flows. The new offering harnesses historical and real-time payments data, delivering actionable intelligence that helps banks strategically plan, optimize operational efficiency, and accurately track performance.
As noted in the 2024 Corporate Banking IT Pressures & Priorities report from Celent, 60% of banks plan to increase migration of business-critical applications to the cloud by the end of 2025. Payments modernization now ranks as a top priority for corporate banks globally, signifying the need for solutions that provide intelligence across stakeholder viewpoints, streamline modernization efforts, and simplify operations.
“In a world where the volume and complexity of payments is increasing, operational resilience and efficiency are more important than ever. Managing through this requires banks to have instant insight into payment flows, operational performance, and the ability to quickly address issues,” said Gareth Lodge, Principal Analyst at Celent.
Volante Payments Intelligence reduces the time banks spend on manual reporting and allows them to prioritize operational efforts more effectively, staying ahead of regulatory demands. With enhanced observability, users can achieve more precise performance tracking, improving their ability to mitigate risks and adapt to market changes.
As financial institutions navigate an increasingly regulated environment, Volante Payments Intelligence offers critical tools to support resilience and compliance. The solution’s integration into existing systems and ease of deployment in private or hybrid cloud environments or as part of Volante’s PaaS offering ensures that institutions can start seeing results immediately.
“We developed Volante Payments Intelligence as a transformative solution, crafted in close collaboration with a diverse range of our customers to address a critical gap no other platform could fill: Delivering actionable, measurable, and personalized business intelligence in real-time,” said Deepak Gupta, EVP, Product, Engineering & Services, Volante Technologies.
“Payments Intelligence doesn’t just bridge the shortcomings of existing intelligence solutions; it redefines what business intelligence can achieve, empowering Volante customers, from small enterprises to global institutions, to unlock new heights in their operational efficiency and strategic growth. This continues Volante’s track record of, and our valued commitment to, driving time-to-market speed, innovation, and business growth for our customers,” concluded Gupta.
Volante plans to continue its innovation drive within Payments Intelligence through the addition of advanced dashboards to provide operators, managers, and executives with a more complete view of their payments business. By adding exception management, payment controls, and new AI-driven capabilities, financial institutions will be able to monitor and identify market dynamics more effectively.
For a deeper dive or to schedule a demo, visit volantetech.com/payments-intelligence.
On behalf of Volante Technologies:
Americas
Julian Byrne
anthonyBarnum
Public Relations
Tel. +1 (512) 665-9258
[email protected]
EMEA
Assyria Graves
Hard Numbers
Tel: +447507870214
[email protected]
[email protected]
About Volante Technologies
Volante Technologies is the trusted cloud payments modernization partner to financial businesses worldwide, giving them the freedom to evolve and innovate at record speed. Real-time native, API enabled, and ISO 20022 fluent, Volante’s Payments as a Service and underlying low-code platform process millions of mission-critical transactions and trillions in value daily. Volante’s customers include four of the top five global corporate banks, seven of the top ten U.S. banks, and two of the world’s largest card networks. Learn more at www.volantetech.com and linkedin.com/company/volante-technologies.
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1123969/Volante_Technologies_Logo.jpg
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/volante-technologies-launches-real-time-payments-intelligence-solution-for-financial-institutions-302303540.html
-
Fintech7 days agoFintech Pulse: The Latest Trends and Insights Shaping Fintech
-
Fintech3 days agoFintech Pulse: Industry Innovations and Partnerships Drive Global Fintech Forward
-
Fintech PR6 days agoConverge Technology Solutions Named Solution Partner of the Year at the 2024 Ingram Micro ONE Innovation Summit
-
Fintech PR6 days agoManulife Investment Management aligns capabilities across regions under the newly created role of Global Emerging Market Equities CIO
-
Fintech2 days agoFintech Pulse: Evolving Fintech Investments and Partnerships Signal Industry Transformation
-
Fintech PR6 days agoBybit and Block Scholes Uncover Post-Election Bullish Sentiment: Traders Lean Into Leveraged Longs Amid Stabilized Market
-
Fintech PR6 days agoPalm Jebel Ali Project Surges Ahead in 2024: Milestones Achieved in Record Time for Dubai’s Most Anticipated Development
-
Fintech PR6 days agoThe Trade Facilitation Commission release their report entitled ENSURING ECONOMIC GROWTH