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European Commission announces new competitions for 2025 – European Capital and Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism

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BRUSSELS, March 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Today, the European Commission launches the 2025 edition of the European Capital of Smart Tourism and the European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism competitions. Tourism destinations across Europe are invited to submit their innovative practices of smart and sustainable tourism to become leading examples in European tourism.

As the EU’s third largest eco-system, tourism plays a crucial role in economic growth and job creation. The Smart Tourism initiative recognises cities implementing new digital tools and practices such as equal opportunity and access to visitors, sustainable development and support to creative industries and local talent. With these competitions, the European Commission promotes and awards the future of smart and sustainable tourism in Europe.

To compete for the 2025 titles, cities are asked to demonstrate their innovative tourism practices and submit their applications using an online form. Applications will first be evaluated by a panel of independent experts. In the second step, shortlisted cities will be asked to present their city’s candidature in front of the European Jury. The European Jury will select two winners, the ‘European Capital of Smart Tourism 2025’ and the ‘European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism 2025’, which will be announced in November 2024. 

Both competitions are open to cities across both the EU, as well as the non-EU countries that take part in the Single Market Programme (SMP)[1] – former COSME Programme.

European Capital of Smart Tourism 2025 – Smart gets you further

The European Capital of Smart Tourism competition has a proven track record of success. The 2025 European Capital of Smart Tourism is the sixth edition of the competition. Dublin was selected as the 2024 Smart Capital. Previous winners include Pafos and Seville as 2023 Capitals, Bordeaux and València as the 2022 Capitals, Gothenburg and Málaga as the 2020 Capitals, while Helsinki and Lyon won the inaugural competition and jointly held the 2019 titles. Since 2024, there is only one winner of the European Capital of Smart Tourism competition due to a change in competition rules, whereas previous editions featured two winners annually.

The European Capital of Smart Tourism 2025 will benefit from communication and branding support throughout 2025 which will tell the story of the outstanding smart and innovative practices that made it stand out and win. This will include the production of a promotional video, a large hashtag sculpture to install in a prominent location, diverse promotional activities and visibility at EU level and internationally. The winner will also have the chance to join a growing and active network of smart destinations that were shortlisted in the five previous editions of the competition, exchange best practices and learn from one another.

The European Capital of Smart Tourism competition is open to cities with a population of over 100.000. For more information, please refer to the European Capital of Smart Tourism Guide for Applicants.

European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism 2025 – Green leads the way

The European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism is the successor of the European Destinations of Excellence (EDEN) competition which was first introduced by the European Commission in 2007 to reward non-traditional, emerging sustainable tourism destinations in Europe.

The competition is founded upon the principle of promoting the development of sustainable tourism in smaller destinations which brings value to the economy, the planet, and the people. Being the European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism 2025 will allow the winning city to serve as an inspiration to other tourism destinations across Europe, enhance their city’s profile as a quality travel destination, attracting visitors and generating economic growth in a sustainable way.

The Green Pioneer competition is open to cities with a population between 25.000 – 100.000. For additional information, please refer to the European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism Guide for Applicants.

For both competitions, applications must be received by:

31 May 2024 at 17:00 CET.

For all the latest updates on the Smart Tourism initiative, follow us on our website, Facebook, or Twitter, and subscribe to our EU Smart Tourism Podcast series in Spotify and Amazon Music.   

Contact:

European Smart Tourism Secretariat:
Sandra Bumbar-Malchow or Antigoni Avgeropoulou
info@smarttourismcapital.eu, +49 (0) 30 70 01 86 390 

[1] Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway,  Serbia, Türkiye and Ukraine; https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/smp/guidance/list-3rd-country-participation_smp_en.pdf

 

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Unity Grammar School Earns Honorable Mention in Otis’ Asia Pacific Regional Made to Move Communities™ Challenge

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School awarded A$12,000 grant to advance STEM programming

SYDNEY, April 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A team of students from Unity Grammar School has earned an Honorable Mention in the Otis Asia Pacific region in the Otis Made to Move Communities student challenge, a competition in which students apply principles of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) to propose solutions to real-world urban mobility issues.

Over the last several months, the high school students, with the guidance of Otis volunteer mentors, designed solutions leveraging AI technology aimed at enabling more inclusive mobility in their communities, and presented their ideas to Otis judges from the company’s Asia Pacific region. Otis is the world’s leading elevator and escalator manufacturing, installation and service company.

The students’ solution, an AI-driven Smart Traffic Light system, features a timer capable of detecting emergency vehicles, assisting individuals with vision impairment, and enhancing safety for both vehicles and pedestrians.

“We’d like to thank the Otis volunteers for their mentorship provided to our students throughout this competition,” said Laila Qadan, educator-in-charge from Unity Grammar. “It has been truly inspiring to see the students apply their knowledge of AI and STEM to develop a functional prototype for the competition, showcasing incredible dedication and effort throughout the process.”

“At Otis, we’re excited to support STEM education in Australia and highlight the critical role these skills play in shaping the future,” said Pedro Marcal, Managing Director of Otis Australasia. “It’s been incredibly rewarding to witness the innovation and creativity demonstrated by the students at Unity Grammar. We hope this experience has ignited the students’ lasting interest for STEM and inspired them to keep exploring solutions to real-world challenges.”

About the Made to Move Communities challenge

Launched in 2020, the Made to Move Communities challenge engages young minds to explore real-world challenges and develop innovative solutions with the potential to create more connected communities and improve mobility for all. This initiative brings together students, educators, and Otis colleagues as mentors with the goals of advancing STEM and leadership skills to help build the next generation of talent, ensuring future workforce readiness, and sustaining innovation.

Each year, the program focuses on a different theme that aligns with global priorities, such as sustainability, accessibility or technology. This year’s theme had students incorporate Artificial Intelligence into their proposals. Students are encouraged to think critically and creatively, applying STEM principles to address mobility-related issues. Through workshops, mentorship, and collaboration, participants gain valuable insights and skills that prepare them for future careers while making a positive impact on society. Participating schools also receive grants at the conclusion of the program to support ongoing STEM education in their schools.

This year, more than 250 students from dozens of schools participated in the challenge. To date, the Made to Move Communities program has reached more than 1,000 student participants, involved more than 950 Otis volunteer mentors, and delivered nearly 90 grants totalling over $1 million to support ongoing STEM education at participating schools.  

To learn more about the Made to Move Communities challenge, visit www.otis.com/mtmc.

About Otis

Otis gives people freedom to connect and thrive in a taller, faster, smarter world. The global leader in the manufacture, installation and servicing of elevators and escalators, we move 2.4 billion people a day and maintain approximately 2.4 million customer units worldwide – the industry’s largest Service portfolio. You’ll find us in the world’s most iconic structures, as well as residential and commercial buildings, transportation hubs and everywhere people are on the move. Headquartered in Connecticut, USA, Otis is 72,000 people strong, including 44,000 field professionals, all committed to manufacturing, installing and maintaining products to meet the diverse needs of our customers and passengers in more than 200 countries and territories. To learn more, visit www.otis.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook @OtisElevatorCo.

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SOURCE Otis Elevator

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Globe joins international telecom leaders in pioneering Green Network study from GSMA Intelligence

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MANILA, Philippines, April 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — As a company dedicated to environmental responsibility, Globe played a key role in GSMA Intelligence’s (GSMAi) Green Network Index (GNI) study, a pioneering initiative establishing new industry benchmarks for network sustainability.

Globe is one of only six telecom companies worldwide to participate in the inaugural project, proving its dedication to leading environmental sustainability efforts by actively engaging in research that drives greener networks and reduces greenhouse gas emissions in the industry.

“We recognize the importance of collaboration in shaping a more sustainable telecom sector. Our contribution to the GNI study reflects our commitment to integrating sustainable practices that strengthen both our industry and our journey toward Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe’s Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer.

Apple Evangelista, Globe’s Head of Sustainability and Social Responsibility, added: “Through the GNI, we are gaining valuable insights that will help us refine our approach to energy efficiency, renewable energy adoption, and overall network sustainability.”

Global support for greener telecom networks is growing. A majority of telecom operators, representing 70% of the industry’s revenues, have already aligned their commitments with the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) to reduce GHG emissions.

This was driven by rising energy costs, which account for 15-20% of a telco’s operational expenditures, emphasizing the need for energy efficiency. Moreover, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting is gaining traction among credit-rating agencies and financial analysts, making a standardized metric for assessing sustainability across different geographies and network technologies essential.

In response, GSMAi developed the GNI, which consolidates various factors into a single comprehensive figure to improve comparability across telecom operators and guide companies in their green evolution.

“Tracking progress on mobile network operators’ energy sustainability is critical in driving meaningful change. Our Green Network Index helps operators to achieve that goal by enabling them to make informed decisions that support a greener, more sustainable future,” said Tim Hatt, Head of Research, GSMA Intelligence.

The GNI builds on GSMAi’s previous energy efficiency analysis and expands it into a system-wide index that considers energy and carbon efficiency, renewable energy usage, performance and availability, and vertical enablement.

By actively supporting GSMAi’s sustainability research and initiatives, Globe drives positive change in the telecom industry and strengthens its leadership in green network innovation.

The first round of the GNI Study can be downloaded on GSMAi’s website after registering for a free public account. This can be accessed through the following link:

https://www.gsmaintelligence.com/research/green-networks-index-round-one

To learn more about Globe, visit https://www.globe.com.ph/.

Sustainability at Globe

Globe is a Participant of the United Nations Global Compact and has committed to uphold the Ten Principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. It also supports 10 out of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, with particular focus on SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, and SDG 13 – Climate Action. As a Participant in the #RaceToZero campaign of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Globe has validated and approved near-term and net-zero science-based greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets through the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

Learn more about Globe Sustainability by visiting the Globe Sustainability Website and the Globe Annual Integrated Report.

Follow us on @GlobeIcon on Facebook and @globe_icon on Instagram, and Globe Telecom on LinkedIn.

Email us at: globeofgood@globe.com.ph

 

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SOURCE Globe Telecom, Inc.

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Pioneering Portable Power: BLUETTI Launches the Premium 200 V2 in Australia

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BLUETTI Premium 200 V2 now available for delivery through Harvey Norman Online, Jaycar, and Sydney Tools.

SYDNEY, April 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — BLUETTI (bluetti.com), a technology pioneer in clean energy, today announced the launch of its Premium 200 V2, an energy-dense portable power station with a lifespan of over 17 years, at three Australian retailers, namely Harvey Norman Online, Jaycar, and Sydney Tools. Customers can purchase the new model online at exclusive introductory prices until April 18, 2025.

The Premium 200 V2 represents BLUETTI’s latest innovation in portable power technology, combining compact design with enhanced performance capabilities. It addresses the growing demand for reliable, portable power solutions in both emergency and recreational scenarios.

Compact Design with Robust Performance

The Premium 200 V2 holds 2073.6Wh capacity in a package the size of a small toolbox, 40% more compact than the last generation. Despite its compactness, it delivers 2,700W pure sine wave power to run most devices like coffee makers, fridges, and ovens. In the Powerlifting mode, users can even power high-wattage appliances like water heaters. It’s versatile for applications ranging from home outage backup to remote work sites and outdoor activities.

Industry-Leading Battery Longevity

The use of automotive-grade prismatic LiFePO4 battery makes the generator more compact and long-lasting. These premium battery cells have successfully passed 33 rigorous CNAS automotive battery tests and are rated for over 6,000 charge cycles. This translates to more than 17 years of reliable operation before capacity reduces to 80% of original specifications.

Advanced Charging Technology

The portable power generator incorporates BLUETTI’s proprietary TurboBoost fast-charging technology, enabling rapid recharging from empty to 80% in just 45 minutes. Solar recharging requires only 2.4 hours, while multi-chip protection prevents damage from accidental connection of incompatible solar panels. When paired with a Charger 1 alternator charger, the unit fully recharges during a 4.2-hour drive, six times faster than standard vehicle charging options.

Enhanced Energy Efficiency

Powered by BLUETTI’s unique AI-BMS (Battery Management System), the Premium 200 V2 provides comprehensive protection against electrical risks while delivering superior energy efficiency. Its idle power draw is just 10W, three times lower than industry standards. During low-light solar charging, the system automatically turns off to optimize battery life.

Availability and Pricing

The BLUETTI Premium 200 V2 is now available for purchase and delivery at Harvey Norman Online, Jaycar, and Sydney Tools. To celebrate this launch, we’re offering an exclusive Easter Power Deal from April 4 to April 18, 2025—don’t miss out!

BLUETTI in Australia

As a technology pioneer in clean energy, BLUETTI is committed to a sustainable future by providing green energy storage solutions for both indoor and outdoor use. In Australia, our reliable and innovative products have earned the trust of households, professionals, and off-grid adventurers. Looking ahead, BLUETTI will introduce more new products to the Australian market, including the EP2000 for home energy storage and the Apex 300. For partnership inquiries, please contact Tiger Han at tiger.han@bluetti.com.

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SOURCE BLUETTI

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