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No progress on water security in most countries assessed while complacency about crisis persists, finds BSI study

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HERNDON, Va., Oct. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The US has been rated as facing the highest level of water security challenge alongside relatively limited progress towards solutions in new analysis published by BSI and Waterwise. No improvement was found in the water security of 31 countries in the last year in the 2024 Water Security and Solutions Indicator, with the US scoring 53 out of 85, followed by China at 50 and India at 52. The study combines publicly available data with international polling of 9,300 people, finding a concerning disconnect between the reality of the challenge, public understanding of its severity, and the action required to turn things around.

Although 60% of respondents recognize water security as an important global issue, and three quarters specifically cite drought in their country as an issue, under half (45%) said addressing water security was as important as addressing climate change. Only 15% globally say they see water security discussed regularly by politicians or media, despite the fact that annual water use rose by around 3,500 billion m3 globally between 1900 and 2024 and will worsen with climate change. This equates to adding 895m3 of water demand each second or an Olympic sized swimming pool (2500m3) every 2.79 seconds.

Global water demand is projected to grow by around 1%, or 400 billion m3, per annum. On this basis, new calculations show the world could add 1268 m3 of water demand per second, equating to one Olympic sized swimming pool every two seconds.

The polling data suggests gaps between the reality of the global water security challenge and public comprehension of its scale – 74% were confident in their country’s freshwater supply, but this included 85% in India, 82% in Australia, and 73% in the US.

Of the 41 countries assessed for the water security challenge, the greatest increase in score was Spain, which went up by five points. 13 received higher scores representing greater water insecurity in 2024 – including Türkiye, Japan, the Netherlands and Belgium. Decreases, indicating water security improvements, were only seen in nine countries, including Sweden, Switzerland and Norway.

Positively, more than half of people (53%) believe individuals should take steps to reduce wastage. 73% globally support water use labels on products, reflecting a strong desire for actionable solutions. Similarly, 68% would be willing to spend more on brands acting on water efficiency and two thirds (67%) would purchase items using less water intensive materials even at greater cost.

Susan Taylor Martin, Chief Executive, BSI said: “While we are seeing pockets of progress towards a water secure world, there is more to do to promote understanding and positive change. This begins with awareness and recognition of the scale of the challenge, and how it fits into broader conversations about climate change and sustainability, from there our politicians and leaders can pave the way for action.

“While there is no single solution, we can and should take action today — from implementing water efficiency labelling to improving consumer choices, to advancing wastewater management in pharmaceutical development. There is much we can achieve collectively. At BSI, we believe individuals and organizations can come together to drive progress toward a sustainable future, where the supply of fresh water meets growing demands.”

Nicci Russell, CEO, Waterwise said: “Progress is frustratingly slow in most of the world and in other parts, the challenges posed by water security are actually growing. What is crystal clear from the research is that a key part of the solution is making sure that we use the water that we do have wisely in our homes and workplaces.”

Globally, Britons (21%) and the Japanese (15%) were least confident in their understanding of their country’s level of water security, potentially indicating the impact of insufficient political and media focus. Additionally, a quarter globally lacked confidence in their country’s infrastructure for ensuring water security, with the lowest confidence levels reported in the UK (32%) and Japan (44%).

BSI sets out tangible areas for action, including calling on media, policymakers and businesses to shape the conversation and raise awareness by incorporating water security into climate discussions. Additionally, BSI is urging consumers to be supported to make sustainable choices, for example via mandatory water efficiency labels, to boost consumer awareness and market innovation.

Explore the data on BSI’s dedicated dashboard.

CONTACT: Jennifer Lipman, jennifer.lipman@bsigroup.com

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SOURCE BSI

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JinkoSolar Announces Results of 2024 Annual General Meeting

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SHANGRAO, China, Dec. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd. (“JinkoSolar” or the “Company”) (NYSE: JKS), one of the largest and most innovative solar module manufacturers in the world, today announced that all shareholders resolutions proposed at the Company’s 2024 annual general meeting held today were duly passed. Specifically, the Company’s shareholders passed the following resolutions approving:

The re-election of Mr. Xianhua Li as a director of the Company;The re-election of Mr. Steven Markscheid as a director of the Company;The ratification of the appointment of Mr. Gang Chu as an independent director of the Company and the re-election of him as an independent director of the Company;The ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian LLP as auditors of the Company for the fiscal year of 2024;The authorization of the directors of the Company to determine the remuneration of the auditors of the Company; andThe authorization of each of the directors of the Company be authorized to take any and all action that might be necessary to effect the foregoing resolutions 1 to 5 as such director, in his or her absolute discretion, thinks fit.

 About JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd.

JinkoSolar (NYSE: JKS) is one of the largest and most innovative solar module manufacturers in the world. JinkoSolar distributes its solar products and sells its solutions and services to a diversified international utility, commercial and residential customer base in China, the United States, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, Chile, South Africa, India, Mexico, Brazil, the United Arab Emirates, Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Poland, Austria, Switzerland, Greece and other countries and regions.

JinkoSolar had over 10 productions facilities globally, over 20 overseas subsidiaries in Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, India, Turkey, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Australia, Canada, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, Denmark, Indonesia, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, and a global sales network with sales teams  in China, the United States, Canada, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Italy, Germany, Turkey, Spain, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Netherlands, Vietnam and India, as of September 30, 2024. To find out more, please see: www.jinkosolar.com

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

In China:

Ms. Stella Wang
JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd.
Tel: +86 21-5180-8777 ext.7806
Email: ir@jinkosolar.com 

Mr. Rene Vanguestaine
Christensen
Tel: +86 178 1749 0483
Email: rene.vanguestaine@christensencomms.com  

In the U.S.:

Ms. Linda Bergkamp
Christensen, Scottsdale, Arizona
Tel: +1-480-614-3004
Email: linda.bergkamp@christensencomms.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jinkosolar-announces-results-of-2024-annual-general-meeting-302339506.html

SOURCE JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd.

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Inkan.link Debuts at CES 2025 with Revolutionary Anti-Fraud Solution as Business Email Compromise Reaches $5B Annual Loss

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LAS VEGAS, Dec. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — In its first-ever CES appearance, European deeptech pioneer Inkan.link unveils Sealfie, a groundbreaking solution to combat the escalating Business Email Compromise (BEC) crisis that costs businesses $5 billion annually. Forget complex security protocols – Sealfie turns a simple selfie into an unbreakable chain of evidence. Multiple attestations work silently in the background while executives simply snap and approve. If it’s not this easy, question why.

“When criminals can perfectly imitate your CEO’s voice and writing style for less than $400, traditional fraud prevention becomes obsolete,” explains Nicolas Thomas, Inkan.link’s founder and 25-year enterprise technology veteran. “Sealfie’s approach is revolutionary in its simplicity – if your CEO won’t take a selfie to approve a major transaction, they’re probably an impostor.”

The strategic partnership between Inkan.link and https://ShareID.ai/, announced at CES, marks a new era in business transaction security. By combining our technologies, we’ve created a seamless verification ecosystem where multiple expert teams work silently in the background while users enjoy a remarkably simple experience. When suspicious activity occurs, IT professionals from both companies spring into action – no user training required, just instant expert protection.

The fraud landscape has fundamentally changed: WormGPT now enables criminals to create flawless CEO impersonations for $100/month, rendering traditional security checks useless. Sealfie (https://sealf.ie/en) meets this challenge with state of the art protection wrapped in consumer-grade simplicity.

Accessible globally through major app stores, our solution deploys instantly and scales effortlessly. Organizations can start protecting their transactions immediately with our €95/month per user subscription, while enterprise clients benefit from customized solutions that complement existing processes.

“Traditional security training tells users what they did wrong. We empower IT professionals to actually help users prevent fraud before it happens.”

Visit Inkan.link Booth Venetian Expo, Hall G – 60711 for:

Live demonstrations of Sealfie technologyEnterprise integration consultationsInvestement opportunityDiscover Sealfie and deepfake-proof your business finances

About Inkan.link

Inkan.link is a European deeptech pioneer that builds deepfake-proof digital services, with its first solution Sealfie protecting enterprises from Business Email Compromise epidemic. Nicolas Thomas and backed by the L3i Laboratory’s anti-fraud expertise, we’ve developed patented blockchain technology that makes legitimate transactions unquestionably authentic through multi-source verification.

Media Resources:

BEC Fraud Analysis: https://inkan.link/en/posts/blog-bec-5billions-annum-scam/

Case Studies: https://inkan.link/en/posts/blog-save-accountant-ryan/

UNO/ITU-T speech on AI for good: https://inkan.link/en/posts/news-itu-t-workshop-securing-ai/

VIPRE’s Email Threat Trends Report: Q3 2024: https://vipre.com/resources/q3-2024-email-threat-report/

BEC is the new weapon of choice https://www.darkreading.com/cloud-security/business-email-compromise-bec-impersonation-the-weapon-of-choice-of-cybercriminals

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SOURCE Inkan.link

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China Report ASEAN: Lighting Up Lives

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BEIJING, Dec. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — A news report from China Report ASEAN:

Any time of the year, Hami, a city in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is memorable for its unique food and stunning landscapes set against the majestic Tianshan Mountains. However, September’s significant temperature drops once the sharp rays of sunset beneath the Gobi Desert make Hami an even more fascinating seasonal destination.

The renowned sun-drenched scenery is ideal for renewable energy projects such as wind, solar, and hydrogen power. The region also hosts one of China’s two supercomputers, which requires significant energy.

A key city in Xinjiang, Hami has attracted substantial investment in renewable energy. Though not a typical tourist destination, Hami now symbolizes Xinjiang’s expanding new-energy sector. Its strategic position between the Gobi Desert and the Tianshan Mountains creates a natural wind corridor that produces consistent, high-speed winds perfect for turbines. Wind turbines and solar panels can be found all over Hami’s landscapes.

Hami has utilized its vast land and favorable wind conditions to develop large-scale wind and solar projects, contributing 10 GW to Xinjiang’s total 70 GW renewable energy capacity. On August 25, 2024, Hami’s Vice Mayor Li Jianyong highlighted the city’s role in China’s renewable energy efforts. “Hami is one of the best regions in China for wind and solar energy,” he declared.

Baili Wind Zone

In a treeless desert, the turbines of Baili Wind Zone look like a forest.

Baili Wind Zone, also known as the Hundred Mile Wind Zone, is a prominent project in Hami. The 231-square-kilometer project is the result of a wind-storage integration initiative introduced because 66.3 percent of Xinjiang’s wind resources are located in Hami. The project is expected to generate 3 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, equivalent to the energy use of 900,000 tons of standard coal, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by about 2.8 million tons.

The Shisanjianfang wind-storage power station, located at the heart of Baili Wind Zone, is Xinjiang’s largest integrated wind-storage project. Developed by China State Shipbuilding Corporation Wind Power Development Co., Ltd. and Hami State Investment, it is a benchmark for high-quality new energy development and the first cross-city new energy project in Xinjiang.

SANY Wind Equipment Manufacturing

One of China’s largest companies, SANY is investing big in renewable energy.

SANY Renewable Energy’s Large Megawatt Intelligent Wind Equipment Manufacturing Industrial Park, located in Balikun County of Hami, is a major facility for producing large megawatt wind turbines and ultra-long blades. Spanning 675 acres and with nearly 1 billion yuan (US$141.73 million) invested, the park includes a factory and office building. As of July 2024, construction was complete, and trial production had begun.

The park produces onshore wind turbines over 10 MW and blades longer than 110 meters every year. It plans to manufacture 400 turbines and 1,200 blades annually to support the “Xinjiang Power to Chongqing” initiative. The park focuses on automation, intelligent manufacturing, and digital management, aiming to become SANY Renewable Energy’s leading “zero-carbon industrial park” known for quality, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and environmentally friendly operations.

World’s First UHVDC Transmission Project

Hami is home to the world’s first ultra-high voltage direct current (UHVDC) transmission project, the ±800 kV Southern Hami-Zhengzhou UHVDC Transmission Project. This project, part of China’s strategy to transmit electricity from Xinjiang to central China, extends 2,192 kilometers from the Tianshan Converter Station in Xinjiang through Gansu Province, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Shaanxi Province, Shanxi Province, and Henan Province, ending at the Zhongzhou Converter Station in Zhengzhou, provincial capital of Henan. With a rated voltage of ±800 kV, a DC of 5,000 A, and a transmission capacity of 8,000 MW, it delivers 50 billion kWh annually—equivalent to 23 million tons of coal—while funneling 100 billion yuan (US$14.17 billion) of investment to Xinjiang. Approved in May 2011, construction began in May 2012, and structures became operational on January 27, 2014. The Tianshan Converter Station features over 80 percent localized equipment including advanced Chinese-developed thyristors and transformers.

In 2023, Hami launched the Hami-Chongqing ±800 kV UHVDC Transmission Project for both its coal and renewable energy resources, with new energy accounting for 71.83 percent of the planned 14.2 million kilowatts. The project aims to boost Xinjiang’s power transmission capacity, support regional economic growth, and enhance national energy security.

The Tianshan Converter Station, located in Nanhu Township, Yizhou District, Hami City, covers 519.1 acres and is equipped with advanced technology. Xinjiang’s significant coal, solar, and wind energy resources make it a crucial energy hub.

Green Computing Power

Hami is also home to a museum showcasing China’s supercomputer and its applications. Placing the supercomputer in a major energy base like Hami made sense because it consumes so much energy. Given the high electricity demands of data centers, China is incorporating green energy into its computing infrastructure, with western regions leveraging renewable resources to build large data centers.

With 65.8 percent of its 25.98-million-kilowatt power capacity generated from renewables, Hami is an ideal green energy hub. The city’s coal chemical industry helps regulate peak new energy usage, reducing costs.

The Hami Integrated Computing Center, completed with a 97 million yuan (US$13.75 million) investment, features intelligent, supercomputing, and general computing capabilities. It includes eight intelligent computing servers, 80 supercomputing nodes, and 100 general computing servers to deliver about 150 PFLOPS of power. The center is now serving sectors like healthcare, wind power, and the metaverse and plans to explore quantum computing and further applications with institutions like the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Tsinghua University.

High Quality Development

A few other advanced technology industries in Hami provide support to the renewable energy sector while also delivering important products to the country.

With an investment of 4 billion yuan (US$567 million), Qingdian Silicon Industry Co., Ltd. produces monocrystalline silicon rods and slices, contributing to Hami’s development of a complete silicon photovoltaic industry chain. The company’s facilities will support the growing solar energy sector in Hami.

Xinjiang Xiangsheng New Materials Technology Co., Ltd. was the first in China to cover the entire titanium industry chain from ore extraction to final products. The company, with an annual production capacity of 20,000 tons, aims to become a global leader in titanium production and meet Hami’s ambition to become a major titanium industry hub.

Hami is advancing its hydrogen energy industry with significant investments in hydrogen production, storage, and refueling infrastructure. The city plans to deploy 500 hydrogen fuel vehicles and 15 refueling stations by the end of 2024 to become a leading base for hydrogen energy and transportation. Guanghui Energy Co., Ltd. is investing 150 million yuan (US$21 million) to develop a hydrogen production, storage, and refueling station. The project features a 6 MW wind and solar power setup and a 2-ton per day hydrogen station to support 10 hydrogen trucks transporting coal.

Hami is emerging as a major player in China’s renewable energy landscape. Leveraging its natural resources and strategic investments in wind, solar, and hydrogen technologies, the city is setting benchmarks for energy production and sustainability. As it continues to expand its renewable energy projects and infrastructure, Hami is not only contributing to China’s energy goals but also shaping the future of green technology.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/china-report-asean-lighting-up-lives-302339509.html

SOURCE China Report ASEAN

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