Category: Press Releases

Acronis focuses on what matters by helping MSPs spend more time delivering value-based services that keep clients up and running – instead of spending it back-office labor

MIAMI BEACH, Fla., Nov. 08, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Live from their annual #CyberFit Summit, Acronis, the global leader in Cyber Protection, today announces strategic updates to its Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud platform with a new product, Advanced Automation, and innovative developments including the addition of Machine Intelligence (MI) to its Advanced Management solution.

Together, this expansion of the Acronis lineup will help managed service providers (MSPs) reduce complexity, stay focused on value-based service delivery, and provide the tools needed to ensure client businesses and their systems, data and applications are up and running productively, safely and securely.

For MSPs and their customers, there’s a major need for visibility as 76% of security and IT teams struggle with no common view over applications and assets. MSPs must have this insight to be able to prevent unplanned downtime, and to identify and address IT problems that arise. In return, the MSP customer expectation is for fast response and comprehensive resolution. Downtime is expensive, and MSPs are beholden to service level agreements (SLAs) because of the impacts to client businesses.

With the announcement of updates to its Advanced Management product following the recent release of its Acronis Cyber Scripting solution, MSPs will now have access to a comprehensive, proactive endpoint management solution that provides:

• Machine Intelligence-based remote monitoring for continuous anomaly detection that is automated, adaptive and doesn’t require manual threshold setting.
• Fail-safe patch management via rollback from automated backups in the event a patch fails.
• Multi-vendor, prediction-based hard drive health monitoring.
• Several Remote Desktop developments allow performance over slow networks, both user and admin initiation, and added platform support for MacOS and Linux.
• Enhanced security protections on remote desktop and Cyber Scripting employing two-factor authentication (2FA) and a new protocol using 2-way AES to prevent management tools from opening new vulnerabilities.

These new capabilities work in combination with the broader Acronis platform that spans across security, backup and disaster recovery products, ensuring that MSPs and their clients meet expectations.

“As an MSP, I aim to provide the best customer experience for my clients who count on me to keep them up and running. But as you can imagine, I don’t have an unlimited budget to buy and run multiple backup, security and management products,” said Yves Meier, Executive Board Member at GMG. “Acronis provided me with a fully integrated solution that is easy to deploy, to learn, and to operate, which helps me to assist my customers. Moreover, Acronis Advanced Management allowed us to offer more proactive, preventative protection for our clients – which improves their satisfaction with our services, and saves my team a ton of time responding to problems.”

But improving IT management tools is only part of the equation. MSPs are constantly under pressure to deliver excellent customer experience while also keeping their margins healthy in a complex environment of consumption-based services on the market. While there are solutions available that can solve this, many are more sophisticated than some MSPs are ready for – or in some markets, MSPs do not have access to these solutions at all.

This is a challenge for MSPs who are often manually pulling reports and reconciling contract line items with staff time, tickets and overhead – while needing to transparently show their customers clearly what services were delivered on the invoice, how SLAs were met, and how the invoiced services represent value for them.

With the upcoming release of Acronis Advanced Automation, Acronis is bringing native business automation onto its platform to help its MSP partners integrate their back-office functions with delivery of Acronis-based services, like endpoint management. The new features include:

• Billing automation with support for consumption-based services
• SLA tracking, reporting and technician performance
• Support ticketing system
• Automatic, granular per-tenant tracking of billable and non-billable time
• Operational and profitability reporting & dashboards
• Support for multiple languages
• Centralized control and visibility from the Acronis console

“Moving to consumption-based services has made our monthly billing much more complex and likely to have errors, leading to a lot of unnecessary and unproductive time ensuring accurate billing for our clients,” said Richard Daemen, Founder & Director at Daemen ICT. “We’ve looked at business automation tools to solve these problems, but some were just too limited while others were too complicated for what we need at this point. We’re looking forward to using this native integration of business automation tools to help manage our delivery of Acronis-based services from a single pane of glass.”

By combining the automation of services enabled from Acronis Advanced Management and other Acronis solutions with the power of business automation, MSPs will now be able to more efficiently scale effective services across their clients, integrate their support ticketing for faster response, transparently show their clients which services were delivered, review SLAs, and then review their staff utilization rates, performance and revenue forecasting are in alignment to ensure both their business margins – and customer expectations – are met continuously.

Acronis will be releasing these new products and features starting with an Advanced Management update of Remote Desktop in December, and both the machine intelligence monitoring and new Advanced Automation product arriving in Q1-2023.

About Acronis
Acronis unifies data protection and cybersecurity to deliver integrated, automated cyber protection that solves the safety, accessibility, privacy, authenticity, and security (SAPAS) challenges of the modern digital world. With flexible deployment models that fit the demands of service providers and IT professionals, Acronis provides superior cyber protection for data, applications, and systems with innovative next-generation antivirus, backup, disaster recovery, and endpoint protection management solutions powered by AI. With advanced anti-malware powered by cutting-edge machine intelligence and blockchain based data authentication technologies, Acronis protects any environment – from cloud to hybrid to on premises – at a low and predictable cost.

Founded in Singapore in 2003 and incorporated in Switzerland in 2008, Acronis now has more than 2,200 employees in 40 locations in 19 countries. Acronis Cyber Protect solution is available in 26 languages in over 150 countries and is used by over 20,000 service providers to protect over 750,000 businesses.

Press contacts:
Karl Bateson
+617 306 6275
Karl.Bateson@acronis.com

The OKX Football Festival will include an NFT game, a trading competition and special staking deals through OKX’s Earn platform.

VICTORIA, Seychelles, Nov. 08, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — OKX, the world’s second-largest crypto exchange by trading volume, today launched the OKX Football Festival in anticipation of national football teams meeting this month in Qatar. The OKX Football Festival consists of the NFT Football Cup, the 2022 OKX Football Cup Trading Competition and the Earn Super Hatrick
fan token staking series.

Kicking off the OKX Football Festival is the NFT Football Cup¹, which offers a total of $1M in spot rewards. From November 8, fans will be able to mint up to three free NFTs² corresponding to their favorite national teams. NFT holders will split spot rewards of 20,000 USDT each time their team advances through the group stages, with the prize pools for each eliminated team being transferred to the team that knocks them out. OKX will add 10 USDT to the prize pool for each NFT minted.³ Users will be allowed to participate in the event with any ETH wallet.

Find out more about the OKX NFT Football Cup here.

From mid November, fans will also be offered the chance to pit their crypto trading skills against one another in the 2022 OKX Football Cup Trading Competition. This contest will see teams of at least 10 traders compete for a total prize pool worth up to $2M. New user rewards, quiz-based prizes, and referral rewards will also be up for grabs.⁴

Haider Rafique, Chief Marketing Officer, OKX, said: “OKX is here to help people find new and innovative ways to celebrate their passions. As we raise our flags in support of our national teams this year, I hope these digital experiences help bring the crypto and football communities together and show newcomers the world of opportunities Web3 and crypto can offer them. OKX is investing heavily in its already leading Web3 Wallet and NFT Marketplace platforms, and I can confidently say that this exciting festival is only the beginning of the new opportunities we’ll be offering.”

Launching on November 11, the Earn Super Hatrick event will see a series of staking deals for the fan tokens of Manchester City ($CITY), Portugal ($POR), Argentina ($ARG), Flamengo ($MENGO) and the Chiliz ($CHZ) token offered. Potential APYs for the staked tokens will rise as high as 300% for $CITY and 200% for $POR, $ARG and $MENGO.⁵ $CITY is the official fan token of the Manchester City Football Club, for which OKX is the official cryptocurrency exchange partner.

From mid-November, OKX will also be offering the chance to win special Mystery Boxes that are themed for this winter’s big tournament. Mystery Box holders will be offered the chance to win $CHZ, $ARG, $CITY and $POR tokens in addition to the reward tokens already on offer.⁶

For further information, please contact:
Media@okx.com

Disclaimer:
By participating, you agree that OKX’s Web3 Ecosystem Terms of Service and OKX Terms and Conditions apply in full. Void where prohibited by Applicable Laws. Residents of Restricted Locations, Canada, Florida, and New York are not eligible to participate.

Trading competition terms and conditions:
OKX reserves the right to disqualify a user if they engage in inappropriate, fraudulent, or abusive activities during the competition (e.g., wash trading, volume faking, participating using multiple accounts, market manipulation, etc.).
If our risk control system detected similar trading strategies, only the participant with the highest P&L (%) or profit will be permitted to continue in the competition.
If our risk control system detected matched trading activities, all associated users will be disqualified from the competition. Users who cancel more than 10 orders per minute may be disqualified during the competition.
If a team leader from a top 10 team is disqualified, their share of the reward will be divided by the team’s top 10 qualified members with a trading volume equal or greater than 10,000 USDT.
OKX reserves the right of final interpretation of the Terms & Conditions. If you have any questions, please get in touch with our customer service.

About OKX
OKX is the second biggest global crypto exchange by trading volume and a leading web3 ecosystem. Trusted by more than 20 million global customers, OKX is known for being the fastest and most reliable crypto trading app for investors and professional traders everywhere.

As a top partner of English Premier League champions Manchester City F.C., McLaren Formula 1, golfer Ian Poulter, Olympian Scotty James, and F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo, OKX aims to supercharge the fan experience with new financial and engagement opportunities. OKX is also the top partner of the Tribeca Festival as part of an initiative to bring more creators into web3.

Beyond OKX’s exchange, the OKX Wallet is the platform’s latest offering for people looking to explore the world of NFTs and the metaverse while trading GameFi and DeFi tokens.

To learn more about OKX, download our app or visit: okx.com

_______________________________________________
¹ The OKX Web3 Ecosystem Terms of Service and the OKX Terms of Service apply. Void where prohibited by Applicable Laws. Residents of Restricted Locations, Canada, Florida, and New York are not eligible to participate.
² Users will be required to stake 10 USDT per NFT, with their funds being returned in full after the tournament’s completion.
³ Fans can also burn their NFTs at any time after minting ends in order to claim their share of their team’s prize pool.
⁴ The OKX Terms of Service apply. Trading Competition Terms and Conditions also apply.
⁵ The OKX Terms of Service apply.
⁶ The OKX Terms of Service apply.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a206810c-29cd-47c6-bdc8-5da04b69e2e9

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8691200

• EV Technology Group’s strategic partner, MOKE International, has announced that the Electric MOKE Californian is now available to order from MOKE International’s new US website with prices starting at USD$41,900
• A refundable reservation fee of $990 secures customers a build slot
• Sales of the US market–exclusive Electric MOKE Californian are limited to 325 cars per year
• Bespoke design cues include an exclusive reimagination of the original ‘Californian’ badge
• MOKE International owns the original 1964 MOKE trademark – the Electric MOKE Californian is the first official MOKE vehicle to go on sale in the US since 1982
• The Electric MOKE Californian is the only highway-legal MOKE vehicle on sale in America with a top speed of 50mph (80kph)

TORONTO, Nov. 08, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — EV Technology Group Ltd. (the “Company” or “EV Technology Group”) (NEO: EVTG, OTCQB: EVTGF, DE: B96A) announces that its strategic partner MOKE International Limited (“MIL” or “MOKE International”) has launched a new website dedicated to American-based customers wishing to secure a build slot, with prices starting at USD$41,900. Having announced it was returning to America after 40 years, MOKE International has already received strong interest in the new Electric MOKE Californian.

American sales will be limited to 325 cars a year in accordance with the 2015 Low Volume Motor Vehicles Manufacturers Act. After seven years of lobbying from Specialty Equipment Market Association (“SEMA”), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) implemented legislation that allows heritage brands to produce derivatives of any of their models that are over 25 years old, but comply with current Federal safety standards for motor vehicle equipment.

The new Electric MOKE Californian is a faster, more powerful and, crucially, emissions-free reinvigoration of the original car that sold in America between 1977-1982. The Electric MOKE Californian accelerates from 0-34mph (55kph) in 4.3 seconds, while its petrol-powered ancestor achieved the same sprint in around 6.3 seconds. Power is up from 39hp to 44hp.

This limited-run version – only available to buy in the US – also features bespoke styling cues such as the ‘Californian’ name badge and specially designed MOKE logos.

Isobel Dando, CEO MOKE International, said: “The interest in the Electric MOKE Californian since we announced its return has been huge, although perhaps not surprising considering how popular the original car was. We are thrilled to be able to offer American customers a genuine MOKE vehicle once again.”

Wouter Witvoet, CEO and Founder of EV Technology Group said: “Without doubt, the Electric MOKE Californian will go down a storm as it returns to its home territory. Since EV Technology Group started working with MOKE International, the first question from North American investors has been ‘when can we buy one?’, so I’m confident build slots will soon be at capacity.”

Hand-built in the UK, the Electric MOKE Californian has a range of up to 80 miles (120km)* – enough to cruise Route 101 down to Malibu Beach from Santa Barbara – and a top speed of 50mph (80kph), which makes it legal to drive on the highway. This is the first time a highway legal version of the Mini Moke has ever gone on sale in America. A full charge takes four hours on a US Type 1 charger.

Just like the Electric MOKE that is on sale in Europe, the Electric MOKE Californian is a reimagination of the 1964 Mini Moke – MOKE International owns the original 1964 British Motor Corporation MOKE trademarks and is recognized in over 100 jurisdictions as the owner of the MOKE brand.

Since its birth the Mini Moke stood as an emblem of fun and freedom, beloved for decades in coastal locations such as the French Riviera thanks to its open-top design and go-anywhere attitude. Using an electric powertrain, the Electric MOKE and Electric MOKE Californian now play a part in keeping these beautiful locations clean. MOKE International is the first 1960s automotive brand to go 100% electric.

* Subject to Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure testing

Media

Rachael D’Amore

rachael@talkshopmedia.com

+1519-564-9850

Investor Relations

Dave Gentry

dave@redchip.com

+14074914498

EV Technology Group

Wouter Witvoet

CEO and Chairman of the Board

wouter@evtgroup.com

About EV Technology Group

EV Technology Group was founded in 2021 with the vision to electrify iconic brands – and the mission to redefine the joy of motoring for the electric age. By acquiring iconic brands and bringing beloved motoring experiences to the electric age, EV Technology Group is driving the EV revolution forward. Backed by a diversified team of passionate entrepreneurs, engineers and driving enthusiasts, EV Technology Group creates value for its customers by owning the total customer experience — acquiring and partnering with iconic brands with significant growth potential in unique markets, and controlling end-to-end capabilities. To learn more visit: https://evtgroup.com/

About MOKE International 

MOKE and the MOKE logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of MOKE International Limited in the European Union and other territories. MOKE International, a company registered in England, is the only manufacturer of genuine MOKE vehicles worldwide. The mark was acquired from Casti S.p.A. and derives from the original 1964 British Motor Corporation registration. The MOKE is a revitalized, re-engineered version of the iconic Mini Moke that was originally designed by the legendary Sir Alec Issigonis, the designer of the 1959 Mini, and launched in 1964. The Mini Moke was created as a low-cost and easy to maintain recreational and utility vehicle, but it quickly gained cult status in fashionable resorts such as the French Riviera and the Caribbean. It has been driven by Beatles, Bridget Bardot and James Bond alike. MOKE International has brought the Mini Moke into the modern age by integrating up-to-date driving technologies, including full electric power, while remaining faithful to the iconic design which made it a global hit in the 1960s. True to its heritage, MOKEs today are engineered and built in Northamptonshire, England.

Production takes place at a 500,000sq ft state-of-the-art facility owned and operated by British automotive manufacturing services company, Fablink Group.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements including, but not limited to: the implementation of the 2015 Low Volume Motor Vehicles Manufacturers Act, receipt of approval from Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure testing, specifications of and consumer demand for the Electric MOKE Californian or the pricing of the Electric MOKE Californian. Often, but not always, these Forward-looking Statements can be identified by the use of words such as “estimated”, “potential”, “open”, “future”, “assumed”, “projected”, “used”, “detailed”, “has been”, “gain”, “planned”, “reflecting”, “will”, “containing”, “remaining”, “to be”, or statements that events, “could” or “should” occur or be achieved and similar expressions, including negative variations.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the Forward-looking Statements, including those factors discussed under “Risk Factors” in the filing statement, annual information form and base shelf prospectus of the Company. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in Forward-looking Statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended.

Forward-looking statements involve significant risk, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results discussed or implied in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully and readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure readers that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except where required by law. There can be no assurance that these forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

THE NEO STOCK EXCHANGE DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/884723a3-9125-4267-aa76-0c602a68aba4

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8691689

The agreement extends across Hitachi Energy’s complete portfolio of power grid solutions for a sustainable low-carbon energy system

Zurich, Switzerland, Nov. 08, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hitachi Energy, a global technology leader that is advancing a sustainable energy future for all, today announced it has signed a strategic collaboration agreement with Equinor, one of the world’s largest energy companies, to collaborate within electrification, renewable power generation and low-carbon initiatives worldwide.

The agreement underlines both companies’ commitment to accelerate the energy transition and advance a more sustainable, flexible and secure energy system. It builds on the two companies’ long and successful collaboration over many decades. During that time, Hitachi Energy has provided Equinor with power grid solutions and pioneering technologies on several projects, such as Dogger Bank A, B and C, the world’s largest offshore wind farm on completion, and Troll A, the world’s first HVDC power-from-shore connection.

Initial areas of focus for the collaboration include developing standardized base designs to be applied for high-voltage direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) transmission systems to connect offshore wind farms and Equinor production facilities to mainland power grids.

“We are delighted to deepen our longstanding relationship with one of the world’s leading energy companies and to help Equinor achieve its ambition of becoming net zero by mid-century,” said Niklas Persson, Managing Director of Hitachi Energy’s Grid Integration business. “Together we make a strong team that will support the society to reach the goal of the Paris Agreement and create a sustainable energy future for all.”

“Hitachi Energy has been a reliable supplier to Equinor for many years. This strategic collaboration agreement is a signal of joint ambitions to increase our competitiveness in the ongoing energy transition. Standardization of technical solutions will be a key to succeed, and we look forward to improving together with Hitachi Energy,” said Geir Tungesvik, Executive Vice President for Projects, Drilling and Procurement at Equinor.

The scope of the agreement covers the complete spectrum of Hitachi Energy’s portfolio of power grid technologies and solutions. It includes IdentiQ^TM, Hitachi Energy’s digital twin for high-voltage direct current (HVDC) and power quality solutions, which provides significant benefits throughout the assets’ plan, build, operate and maintain life cycle; Grid-eXpand^TM modular and prefabricated offshore and onshore grid connections that make it faster, simpler and more efficient to connect facilities to the grid; OceaniQ^TM solutions such as transformers and high-voltage products that can operate flawlessly on land, offshore and below the sea surface; and grid automation solutions that keep onshore and offshore electrical assets operating reliably, safely and securely.

About Hitachi Energy Ltd.

Hitachi Energy is a global technology leader that is advancing a sustainable energy future for all. We serve customers in the utility, industry and infrastructure sectors with innovative solutions and services across the value chain. Together with customers and partners, we pioneer technologies and enable the digital transformation required to accelerate the energy transition towards a carbon-neutral future. We are advancing the world’s energy system to become more sustainable, flexible and secure whilst balancing social, environmental and economic value. Hitachi Energy has a proven track record and unparalleled installed base in more than 140 countries. Headquartered in Switzerland, we employ around 40,000 people in 90 countries and generate business volumes of approximately $10 billion USD.

https://www.hitachienergy.com

https://www.linkedin.com/company/hitachienergy

https://twitter.com/HitachiEnergy

About Hitachi, Ltd.

Hitachi drives Social Innovation Business, creating a sustainable society with data and technology. We will solve customers’ and society’s challenges with Lumada solutions leveraging IT, OT (Operational Technology) and products, under the business structure of Digital Systems & Services, Green Energy & Mobility, Connective Industries and Automotive Systems. Driven by green, digital, and innovation, we aim for growth through collaboration with our customers. The company’s consolidated revenues for fiscal year 2021 (ended March 31, 2022) totaled 10,264.6 billion yen ($84,136 million USD), with 853 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 370,000 employees worldwide. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company’s website at https://www.hitachi.com.

Attachment

• Hitachi Energy and Equinor sign a strategic collaboration agreement to accelerate the energy transition

Jocelyn Chang
Hitachi Energy Ltd.
+41793847775
jocelyn.chang@hitachienergy.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8691594

Policyholders to benefit from cheaper auto insurance through SDK-based behavior scoring system created by IMS for Vietnamese market

London, UK and Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, Nov. 07, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — OPES, the first digital-only insurer in Vietnam, has teamed up with IMS, the global connected insurance solutions business, to supply smartphone app-based telematics insurance to car drivers in Vietnam. The new product, “O∙Car”, using the IMS One App SDK to deliver its core capabilities, launched to market earlier this month>.

OPES is owned by Vietnam Prosperity Joint-Stock Commercial Bank (VPBank), and according to Paul Stacy, Chief Executive Officer at IMS, the product will be the first wholly digital, telematics-based insurance offering in Vietnam, and it is aimed at the country’s ~3 million car drivers.

Paul said: “O∙Car leverages the IMS One App SDK along with our patented IMS Wedge (IMS’s patented BLE IOT sensor add-on) which helps identify the insured’s vehicle. Together, this connected insurance technology evaluates driving style and the resulting data is used to personalize the insurance product offered to OPES customers.” Paul said that OPES will also run competitions and other campaigns outside the app to reward good driving behavior.

He continued: “We’ve been working with OPES and their parent VPBank to trial the app among their own employees and customers. Because the traffic in Vietnam is highly congested and slow moving, the IMS analytics team had to develop a whole new driver behavior scoring system that is unique to the Vietnamese market. OPES and IMS tested with thousands of drivers and more than 60,000 trips to develop the scoring criteria.”

Mr. Dang Hoang Tung, Chief Executive Officer of OPES said: “This is a ground breaking opportunity for telematics-motor insurance in Vietnam and we are very excited to be pioneering the new OPES insurance app in partnership with IMS after a successful trial. Not only are we excited to join the motor insurance market with this innovative, new product but we also want to help promote and build a safe driving culture among Vietnamese drivers to help reduce the accident rate in the long run.”

Paul Stacy continued: “Having developed the process for Vietnam, we think something very similar will apply to other Southeast Asian markets where traffic flow is very different from the West.” He also noted that there are around 76 million registered car drivers in ASEAN nations, representing a huge untapped market for telematics and connected insurance.

Turning to the OPES deal, Paul said “OPES will be working with IMS to offer a number of different services using our core technologies, including our ‘try-before-you-buy’ functionality and behaviorally based rewards program.  We are also expecting to help OPES in introducing mileage-based insurance to their policyholders in the future.”

Paul Stacy said the OPES deal underscored IMS’ growing international presence beyond the UK, Europe and North America. “Our approach to deal making is consultative and leverages our own deep insurance expertise. We prefer to work collaboratively with clients, such as OPES, and implement solutions that achieve the insurer’s desired outcomes – for the present day, but also with an eye to the future.”

Attachment

• Quote from the CEO of OPES

Ben Welsh
Certus Communications
07568 382040
benwelsh@certuscc.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8666376

– 6 out of 10 Australian leaders were confident that Australia was making meaningful progress on each of the nine levers of climate change/resilience surveyed.- 7 in 10 senior business leaders of medium to large companies believe that the federal and state governments should do more in sustainability and climate action.- In a deep dive, we found agreement across the political divide that solar should be increased as an energy source. While 7 in 10 believe coal as a source should be reduced or kept at the current level.

Canberra, Australia, Nov. 07, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — This week, government and climate experts are meeting at the United Nations Conference of Parties, COP27, in Egypt. At COP27, governments will report their progress and make agreements to take further action to achieve the Paris Agreement’s outcomes (2015). Confident Strategy Group and YouGov polled over 500 Australian business leaders to determine their confidence level in the Australian Federal and State Government’s sustainability policies. The poll assessed business leaders’ confidence across nine levers of climate change while also considering Australia’s unique environment and biodiversity impacts. This year the poll also did a deep dive into business leaders’ attitudes towards energy sources suitable for Australia.

In this inaugural poll, we also found the following:

• Confidence was at its highest amongst younger business leaders (only 16% of leaders 50+ years are very confident). However, only half were confident that Australia was progressing on ‘Building sustainable future food systems that prevent food insecurity.’
• Confidence was at its highest amongst those who voted Labor and Green at the most recent election (76%, 69% versus 51% for the Coalition).
• Business leaders 50+ years were less confident across all sustainability policy areas, with only 4 to 5 out of 10 leaders confident in each area. Reflecting older business leaders’ lower overall confidence in sustainability policies, fewer than two in ten said they were very confident in addressing each area.
• Business leaders identifying as female tended to be less confident overall regarding policy progress across all areas (women 49% v men 69%).
• Those in the asset-based industries (i.e. manufacturing, construction, utilities) are much more likely to be confident (79%) compared to those in service (i.e. retail, transport, health, education) 46% or knowledge-based industries (professional, financial, ITC services) 63%. Those in manufacturing are particularly confident (88%).
• 2 in 10 Australian business leaders were not confident deforestation was being addressed.
• While 8 in 10 business leaders believe solar as a source of energy should be increased, 7 in 10 also believe hydroelectricity and wind should be increased, and 4 in 10 believe natural gas and nuclear should be increased.
• Business leaders are split in their opinion on whether the responsibility for setting climate policies should reside with the Federal Government (45%) or be shared equally with the States (46%).

This year’s poll results may reveal a “green bucket” effect as there was little differentiation in confidence levels across all of the policy lever areas. Albeit there are some clear differences by age, headcount, industry and political affiliation, there is still uniformity that reinforces this finding. This may mean more specific education is required regarding what actions are needed to achieve sustainability and mitigate climate impacts in Australia. It may also indicate that transparency on current and future policy performance and measures is required.

Confident Strategy Group will continue to track this critical policy area annually. Dr Jeanette Fielding, Group CEO of Confident Strategy Group, said, “Australia’s ability to transform at pace to meet the sustainability and climate challenges is vital to Australia’s future success and the economic welfare of all Australians. While many stakeholders have a role in addressing climate impacts, governments set the roadmap for the country through policies they deliver and the ones they don’t.” She further highlighted, “This year’s Sustainable Future Confidence Poll indicates optimism exists after the most recent Federal election, and we look forward to continuing to track business leaders’ confidence in the years ahead”.

The full report is available here: Sustainable Future Confidence Poll

About the poll

The poll was conducted online between 8-16 September 2022. The sample comprised 510 senior business leaders in Australia from organisations with 50+ employees. Confident Strategy Group set the policy levers to be explored, and YouGov designed the questionnaire. After the interviews, the data was weighted by age to reflect the latest ABS population estimates for managers and professionals.

About the Policy Levers

The policy levers were chosen based on Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports that identify levers of climate change and consider Australia’s unique environment and biodiversity. The poll confidence is highest in Waste Reduction (69%), Building green/renewable energy systems for the future, and Taking the initiative to address sustainability/climate resilience through innovation/research and development (68%). Others include Protecting Australia’s unique wildlife and ocean life, Building sustainable future food systems that prevent food insecurity (both 66%), Building green infrastructure for transportation (65%), Building a regenerative and sustainable agriculture system (64%), Mitigating climate impacts (64%), and Addressing the cause of deforestation in Australia (62%).

Confident Strategy Group

Confident Strategy Group is the confident confidants of change-making leaders. We help you resolve the world’s biggest challenges to transform the planet, society, and humanity for the better. This is our passion. Let us put it into practice for you. CSG clients are passionate about health, food, consumer goods, sustainability and women’s peace and security. We are experts in the following practice areas: strategic policy, ESG/sustainability, strategic communications and advocacy. Confident Strategy Group is based in Canberra, Australia and New York, USA and serves national and global clients worldwide. Contact us at www.confidentstrategygroup.com.

Media Relations Contacts:

Dr Jeanette Fielding, Founder and Group CEO at Confident Strategy Group.

contactconfident@confidentstrategygroup.com

Jeanette Fielding
Confident Strategy Group
contactconfident@confidentstrategygroup.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8691105