ERM Buys Environmental Consultancy; NTT Explores REIT IPO

A. Sustainable IT, Talent, Partnerships and Green Tech Alliances

1. Partnership – AI Data Centers: Nordik Data Centers and GenerIA area partnering to “provides organizations with a sovereign, secure, and eco-responsible alternative for developing and hosting their artificial intelligence solutions,” the two companies said.

2. Partnership – Solar Panel Reseller: Wolf River Electric has agreed to resell solar panels from Maxeon Solar Technologies.  Wolf River Electric specializes in “clean, reliable, and cost-effective solar solutions” to communities in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota, and South Dakota, the firm said.

3. Apple – DEI Efforts:  Apple’s board of directors recommended investors vote against a shareholder proposal to abolish the company’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, Reuters reported, based on a proxy filing from the company.

4. Amazon – DEI Pushback: Amazon.com is ending some of its diversity and inclusion programs, the company said in a December 2024 memo to employees seen by Reuters.

5. Executive Leadership – Consulting: Brunswick Group has hired Julia Giannini as a partner based in London. Giannini will advise Brunswick’s Sustainable Business clients on societal and environmental issues they are facing. She previously was group head of environment and climate action at Bupa.

6. Executive Leadership – Energy Utility: Duke Energy will promote President Harry Sideris to succeed Lynn Good as CEO in April 2025. Good is set to retire at that time.