Category: Press Releases

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Schneider Electric launches inaugural Global Partner Recognition Program

  • First-of-its-kind global award platform celebrating industry leaders that prioritize innovation and decarbonization
  • Empowering partners to deliver digital transformation, sustainability, and efficiency in the new electric world
  • Nominations opening soon until 25th November 2022

Rueil-Malmaison, France, June 9, 2022 – Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, today announced the launch of the inaugural Schneider Electric Sustainability Impact Awards, the first initiative from the Partnering for Sustainability Program, to recognize the critical role that Schneider’s partners play in delivering a more resilient and sustainable electric world.

The Partnering for Sustainability program is a continuation of Schneider’s initiatives to empower its extensive ecosystem of partners to move toward a more sustainable future. It includes comprehensive education and training, a simplified product portfolio, an open and collaborative support ecosystem and access to expertise and resources on digital transformation. Designed to empower partners to become more sustainable in their own practices and support their customers on the path to net-zero, the program provides four easy steps that partners can follow to future-proof their businesses.

The Schneider Electric Sustainability Impact Awards will recognize a wide range of partners
in two categories:

  1. Sustainability: Impact for my company: for partners who exhibit sustainability leadership in decarbonizing their operations,
  2. Sustainability and Efficiency: Impact for customers: for partners who demonstrate sustainability leadership by helping customers to achieve their decarbonization goals.

Entries will be carefully assessed on how they are leveraging energy and automation digital solutions to electrify operations, reduce energy supply, increase operational efficiency and embrace circularity across the value chain.

Eligibility requirements
The Awards are will be open to all organizations worldwide that work with Schneider Electric to enable efficiency and sustainability. Partner organizations need to be one of the following business types to take part in the program:

  1. Homebuilders
  2. IT Partners
  3. Partner Builders
  4. Design Firms
  5. Contractors
  6. System Integrators
  7. EcoXperts
  8. OEMs
  9. Industrial Automation System Integrators
  10. Machine Integrators
  11. Industrial Automation Distributors

How to Enter
Nominations will officially be accepted from July 1st – Register interest here.
The deadline to submit is 25th November 2022. All nominations and submissions will be shortlisted for the Regional Awards, before streamlining further for the Global Award. The final winner will be announced in January 2023.

“We are all on the same mission – to accelerate the path to net-zero. At Schneider, we want to recognize those who are embedding positive change in their business operations. Partners who excel at this set a precedent for others to follow.” said Rohan Kelkar, Executive Vice President of Power Products at Schneider Electric. “We know there’s power in numbers and together we can deliver a significantly larger impact through considered sustainable and efficient practices.”

About Schneider Electric

Schneider’s purpose is to empower all to make the most of our energy and resources, bridging progress and sustainability for all. We call this Life Is On.

Our mission is to be your digital partner for Sustainability and Efficiency.

We drive digital transformation by integrating world-leading process and energy technologies, end-point to cloud connecting products, controls, software and services, across the entire lifecycle, enabling integrated company management, for homes, buildings, data centers, infrastructure and industries.

We are the most local of global companies. We are advocates of open standards and partnership ecosystems that are passionate about our shared Meaningful Purpose, Inclusive and Empowered values.

www.se.com

Follow us on:      

Discover the newest perspectives shaping sustainability, electricity 4.0, and next generation automation on Schneider Electric Insights

Hashtags: #PressRelease #PartnershipsoftheFuture #EcoStruxure #MakeItForLife

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Euronet Worldwide, Inc Announces FreedomPay as a Strategic Partner to Bring Next Level Digital Services to Card Paying Clients

FreedomPay and Euronet Worldwide, Inc will evolve payment technology performance and ease-of-use for merchants and their customers.

LONDON, June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Euronet Merchant Services, part of the EFT business segment of leading global financial technology solutions and payments provider Euronet Worldwide, Inc., has announced a strategic partnership with FreedomPay, the Next Level Commerce™ platform of choice for thousands of merchants globally.

As a leader in connected commerce, FreedomPay is rapidly expanding globally across critical verticals such as Retail, eCommerce, Hospitality and Food & Beverage. With its partnership with Euronet Merchant Services, FreedomPay’s customers globally will enjoy integrated, complete solutions to enable more dynamic payment options.

Both companies plan to use advanced technology and a fully integrated cultural approach to payment services for merchants to bring businesses and consumers together.

“Customers are pushing the boundaries of technology. As a result, demand for more innovative, easier and faster ways to pay for goods and services is a daily challenge,” said Tony Hammond, SVP of Global Product Delivery at FreedomPay. “With our strategic partnership with Euronet Merchant Services, we will increase our presence in key markets to deliver secure payment processing capabilities and insights to more customers across the globe. Both companies’ clients increasingly demand a secure solution that seamlessly integrates diverse payment methodologies and currencies on a single, unified platform. This partnership will deliver that solution.”

The partnering of FreedomPay with Euronet Merchant Services will bring together class-leading payment innovation for mutual international clients. Both organisations share an ethos of solving complex payment scenarios, thus improving consumer journeys.

As part of an internationally led global approach, the pairing will seek to deliver clean, safe, and secure digital payments for the future, allowing further card support and extending customer services while providing value for money for merchants.

Statement from David Gebhardt – Managing Director, Euronet Merchant Service, Europe.

“The strategic partnership between Euronet Merchant Services and FreedomPay heralds the global expansion and broadening of services available to card paying clients,” comments David Gebhardt, Managing Director of Euronet Merchant Services. “Our multi-faceted services, with FreedomPay’s platform capability, will see the addition of Tax-Free claim-back functionality, Dynamic Currency Conversion, and a diversification of accepted cards including local and more exotic card schemes to the portfolio, ensuring we meet the payment needs and requirements of an international audience.”

For more information about Euronet Merchant Services, please visit www.euronetmerchantservices.com.

About FreedomPay

FreedomPay’s Next Level Commerce™ platform transforms existing payment systems and processes from legacy to leading edge. As the premier choice for many of the largest companies across the globe in retail, hospitality, lodging, gaming, sports and entertainment, foodservice, education, healthcare, and financial services, FreedomPay’s technology has been purposely built to deliver rock solid performance in the highly complex environment of global commerce. The company maintains a world-class security environment and was first to earn the coveted validation by the PCI Security Standards Council against Point-to-Point Encryption (P2PE/EMV) standard in North America. FreedomPay’s robust solutions across payments, security, identity, and data analytics are available in-store, online and on-mobile and are supported by rapid API adoption. The award winning FreedomPay Commerce Platform operates on a single, unified technology stack across multiple continents allowing enterprises to deliver an innovative Next Level experience on a global scale.

www.freedompay.com

About Euronet Worldwide, Inc.

Euronet Worldwide is an industry leader in processing secure electronic financial transactions. The Company offers payment and transaction processing solutions to financial institutions, retailers, service providers and individual consumers. These services include comprehensive ATM, POS and card outsourcing services, card issuing and merchant acquiring services, software solutions, cash-based and online-initiated consumer-to-consumer and business-to-business money transfer services, and electronic distribution of digital media and prepaid mobile phone time.

Euronet’s global payment network is extensive – including 49,521 ATMs, approximately 491,000 EFT POS terminals and a growing portfolio of outsourced debit and credit card services which are under management in 62 countries; card software solutions; a prepaid processing network of approximately 760,000 POS terminals at approximately 335,000 retailer locations in 63 countries; and a global money transfer network of approximately 495,000 locations serving 164 countries. With corporate headquarters in Leawood, Kansas, USA, and 66 worldwide offices, Euronet serves clients in approximately 175 countries. For more information, please visit the Company’s website at www.euronetworldwide.com

Hill+Knowlton Strategies for FreedomPay
Jennifer Tayebi
Jennifer.Tayebi@hkstrategies.com

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Schneider Electric and Hitachi Energy collaborate to speed up the energy transition

  • Collaboration to accelerate the deployment of sustainable and smart energy management solutions
  • Complementary portfolios in medium and high-voltage technologies to provide greater customer value

Rueil-Malmaison (France), June 9, 2022 ─ Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, and Hitachi Energy, a market and technology leader in transmission, distribution and grid automation solutions, announced today that they have entered into a collaboration to provide greater customer value and accelerate the energy transition.

The non-exclusive collaboration will support customers’ sustainability efforts, including the decarbonization of the energy and industrial sectors. Schneider Electric will be able to use Hitachi Energy’s high-voltage portfolio, while Hitachi Energy can leverage Schneider Electric’s medium-voltage portfolio to provide more comprehensive offerings.

This new collaboration builds on the trusted track record, global footprint, and extensive experience of both these sustainable energy technology leaders in delivering projects for renewables, data centers, mining and other industry segments. Both companies expect this collaborative ecosystem to ensure benefits for customers across their operational life cycle, including a more holistic offering, strengthened supply chain and enhanced efficiencies.

“We are launching this collaboration to help our customers deploy the green electricity solutions instrumental in the fight against climate change,” said Jean-Pascal Tricoire, Chairman and CEO, Schneider Electric. “With Hitachi Energy, we’re committed to leveraging our respective strengths in order to solve our customers’ most pressing energy challenges.”

“We continue to innovate with technology and business models to advance a more sustainable, flexible and secure energy system,” said Claudio Facchin, CEO of Hitachi Energy. “We have chosen to collaborate with Schneider Electric by enhancing our complementary portfolios and address the need of faster deployment of grid solutions for our customers,” he added.

About Schneider Electric

Schneider’s purpose is to empower all to make the most of our energy and resources, bridging progress and sustainability for all. We call this Life Is On.

Our mission is to be your digital partner for Sustainability and Efficiency.

We drive digital transformation by integrating world-leading process and energy technologies, end-point to cloud connecting products, controls, software and services, across the entire lifecycle, enabling integrated company management, for homes, buildings, data centers, infrastructure and industries.

We are the most local of global companies. We are advocates of open standards and partnership ecosystems that are passionate about our shared Meaningful Purpose, Inclusive and Empowered values.

www.se.com

Follow us on:      

Discover the newest perspectives shaping sustainability, electricity 4.0, and next generation automation on Schneider Electric Insights

Hashtags: #PressRelease #EnergyTransition #Sustainability #EnergyManagement

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 38,000 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.

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International NASH Day Highlights a Common – But Unfamiliar – Liver Disease

Global Liver Institute Convenes Communities Around the Globe Today to Reverse the Growing Trend of Fatty Liver Disease

Washington, D.C., June 08, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Global Liver Institute (GLI) calls attention to NASH by leading the 5th annual International NASH Day on June 9. The number of people with this advanced liver disease is expected to double by 2030, but #NASHday aims to prevent this growth. Join the movement to #StopNASHNow by listening in as 24 expert panelists from around the globe share the latest updates about the disease or adding to the conversation on social media (#NASHday). The movement permeates the globe through many locally-organized events to educate about, screen for, and prevent NASH.

NASH (nonalcoholic steatohepatitis) is a serious, progressive condition in which too much fat accumulates on the liver, leading to its inflammation and injury. It is the severe form of NAFLD (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease). Modern lifestyle and dietary patterns have contributed to increased prevalence of NASH and NAFLD around the world, and it is becoming the most common cause of liver disease. Given its widespread impact and the possibility of prevention in most cases of this disease, NASH emerges as a global health priority.

“With over a hundred million people worldwide already who have NASH and several times more in the earlier stages, people have reason to know about this progressive condition and what they can do today to combat it,” shared Donna R. Cryer, president and CEO of GLI. “Collective action is imperative to be certain that individuals in each community, no matter their background or environment, are informed and equipped to prevent fatty liver disease. The momentum that we build together today must advance and sustain the global fight against NASH.”

If you didn’t know, then now you know! Even though NASH is common, it remains relatively unknown, leaving much work to be done to increase public awareness. This year, GLI and its partners join with the theme to #StopNASHNow: Even as therapies for NASH are being developed, there are many steps that people and their doctors can take today to prevent, reverse, or slow the progression of fatty liver disease. For the 25% of adults already affected worldwide, it is due time for this life-changing knowledge.

  • An estimated 1 in 4 adults around the world already has NAFLD.
  • As many as 1 in 20 people has NASH.
  • The prevalence of NAFLD is increasing among all global regions and among all ethnicities in parallel with diabetes and obesity.
  • NASH can progress to cirrhosis or liver cancer – which may necessitate a liver transplant.

“International NASH Day demonstrates the potential that is realized as all stakeholders in NASH come together worldwide,” said Jeff McIntyre, NASH Programs Director at GLI. “From in-person screenings in at-risk communities to educational materials in 16 languages to challenging conversations with researchers, providers, and patients – today the world joins to create meaningful solutions for patients at every stage of NAFLD and NASH.”

International NASH Day has garnered the endorsement of prominent organizations from around the globe: American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD); Association of Black Gastroenterologists and Hepatologists (ABGH); Asociación Latinoamericana para el Estudio del Hígado (ALEH); Associazione Italiana Studio del Fegato (AISF); Asociación Mexicana de Hepatología (AMH); Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver (APASL); Canadian Association for the Study of the Liver (CASL); Conference on Liver Disease in Africa (COLDA); European African Treatment Advocates Network (EATAN); European Fatty Liver Conference (EFLC); European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN); EU Patient-Centric Clinical Trial Platforms (EU-PEARL); Fondazione Epatocentro Ticino; Hepatology Society, Dhaka, Bangladesh; Hepatology Society of the Philippines (HSP); Indian National Association for the Study of the Liver (INASL); North American Society For Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition (NASPGHAN); Sociedad Argentina de Hepatologia (SAHE);Turkish Association for the Study of the Liver (TASL); United European Gastroenterology (UEG); World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO); and World Patients Alliance (WPA).

Get Involved

To view the expert panels throughout the day today, visit https://hopin.com/events/5th-annual-international-nash-day/registration. Panels are available in English, French, Hindi, Mandarin, and Spanish throughout the day.

For additional information on International NASH Day, visit www.international-nash-day.com.

Support the NASH Day social media campaign using hashtags #NASHday #StopNASHNow. Please direct any additional questions to NASHDay@globalliver.org.

International NASH Day and its logo are registered trademarks of Global Liver Institute.

About Global Liver Institute

Global Liver Institute (GLI) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in the belief that liver health must take its place on the global public health agenda commensurate with the prevalence and impact of liver illness. GLI promotes innovation, encourages collaboration, and supports the scaling of optimal approaches to help eradicate liver diseases. Operating globally, GLI is committed to solving the problems that matter to liver patients and equipping advocates to improve the lives of individuals and families impacted by liver disease. Follow GLI on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. GLI is the global host of International NASH Day.

Global Liver Institute
nashday@globalliver.org
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STACK Infrastructure Expands APAC Footprint into Australia with 124MW of Capacity across Melbourne, Canberra, and Perth

STACK Infrastructure partners with Hickory to enter the Australian data center market

Australia STACK Announcement

Australia STACK Announcement

SINGAPORE and MELBOURNE, Australia, June 08, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — STACK Infrastructure (“STACK”), the digital infrastructure partner to the world’s most innovative companies and leading global developer and operator of data centers, today announced a partnership with Hickory, a leading Australian commercial real estate developer specializing in innovative construction projects, to continue its global expansion with the development of an Australian national data center platform initially spanning three markets.

As part of this partnership, Hickory’s highly experienced data center management team led by Joel O’Halloran, Michael Gunton, and James Veness will join the STACK global platform.

STACK Australia is currently constructing a 72MW campus in the high growth hyperscale corridor of Truganina in Melbourne’s western suburbs. The facility is expected to be delivered early in 2023 and will include two 36MW buildings (currently under construction) with separate access points to accommodate multiple users with separation of security and services. In parallel, STACK Australia is expanding into two key emerging hyperscale markets, including a 28MW data center in Hume, Canberra and a 24MW single data center in Wangara, Perth. Both the Canberra and Perth projects have received development approval, and they will each break ground in the third quarter of 2022 with delivery over the second half of 2023.

All three developments are strategically located with robust access to power and network offering scalability and reliability for higher rack densities and floor loading specifications. STACK Australia’s data centers will enable hyperscalers and enterprise clients to address the evolving requirements in Australia and the APAC region more broadly.

“STACK’s expansion into Australia, building on our recent Japan development, exemplifies our focus on establishing a scalable presence in core regional markets that are strategically important to our clients,” said Pithambar (Preet) Gona, STACK’s Chief Executive Officer – APAC. “The partnership with Hickory demonstrates our ability to leverage our partnership model and expertise to the benefit of our customers while attracting leading data center talent regionally to the STACK platform.”

“Hickory is well-positioned to help concurrently develop efficient facilities across three key locations,” said Michael Argyrou, CEO of Hickory. “Partnering with STACK enables us to leverage an outstanding global operating platform and innovative capital solutions to target hyperscale customer growth in key markets.”

This milestone follows the recent announcement of STACK’s entrance to the APAC market with the opening of its Singapore regional headquarters and announcement of its first 36MW campus in Inzai, Japan. STACK plans to announce investments in other key Asia Pacific markets soon.

The transaction is subject to review by the Foreign Investment Review Board (“FIRB”) and approval by the Australian Commonwealth Treasurer under Australian foreign investment rules.

ABOUT STACK INFRASTRUCTURE
STACK provides digital infrastructure to scale the world’s most innovative companies. With a client-first approach, STACK delivers a comprehensive suite of campus, build-to-suit, colocation, and powered shell solutions in the Americas, EMEA and APAC regions. With robust existing and flexible expansion capacity in the leading availability zones, STACK offers the scale and geographic reach that rapidly growing hyperscale and enterprise companies need. The world runs on data. And data runs on STACK.

For more information about STACK, please visit: https://www.stackinfra.com.

ABOUT HICKORY
Hickory strives to curate and deliver exceptional experiences through sustainable and connected solutions.
For over 30 years, Hickory has continually invested in researching and developing digital platforms, people, and products to advance the capabilities of the built world. With expertise in construction, developments, data centres, and manufacturing, Hickory has become one of the most diverse property companies in Australia.

Their success is achieved through strong partnerships with clients, exemplary values, and unrivalled excellence in project execution, Hickory, and their associated divisions are at the forefront of innovation and new technologies.

For additional information, please visit Hickory’s website at https://www.hickory.com.au/.

Media Contacts
STACK Infrastructure
Sammer Khalaf
press@stackinfra.com

Hickory
Genevieve Paxinos
genevieve@arize.com.au
0422 999 568

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2ae1de3d-73b7-4559-8fe9-7869f2ac4959

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WINNERS ANNOUNCED FOR THE NINTH ANNUAL UNITED NATIONS WORLD OCEANS DAY PHOTO COMPETITION

Six First Place Winners Selected from Thousands of Global Photo Submissions Surrounding 2022 Theme Revitalization: Collective Action for the Ocean

New York, New York, June 08, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The winners of the ninth annual United Nations World Oceans Day Photo Competition were announced today during the United Nations World Oceans Day (UNWOD) 2022 event at the UN Headquarters in New York. The free competition, which launched this past March, explored the six thematic categories linked to the overarching 2022 World Oceans day theme: “Revitalization: Collective Action for the Ocean.” World-renowned judges including wildlife photographer Rathika Ramasamy, Conservation Photojournalist & Marine Biologist Sirachai Arunrugstichai, and Underwater Photographer Y. Zin Kim, selected first, second, and third place winners for the categories: Above Water Seascapes, Underwater Seascapes, Revitalization, Coastal Communities, Ocean Critters, and Nature-Based Solutions & Ocean Exploration. Winners were selected from the thousands of global entries made by both amateur and professional photographers. The United Nations World Oceans Day event and the Photo Competition are hosted by the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, produced with the contribution of Oceanic Global and made possible by La Mer. The annual competition is curated by Ellen Cuylaerts, and coordinated with DivePhotoGuide (DPG) and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO.

Winning Photos Per Category & Corresponding Captions Can be Viewed Here.

* All photos must include the caption with photographer credit listed per photo, as well as www.unworldoceansday.org to be published.

The 2022 winning photographers hail from over 12 different countries. Their names include: Cao Nguyen Vu, Christophe Mason-Parker (Above Water Seascapes), Damir Zurub, Nat Sumanatemeya, Nicolas Hahn (Underwater Seascapes), Rick Morris, Nuno Vasco Rodrigues, Aunk Horwang (Revitalization), Celia Kujala, Amitava Chandra, Supachai Veerayutthanon, (Coastal Communities), Gaby Barathieu, Jennifer Johnson, Viktor Lyagushkin (Ocean Critters), Tom Vierus, Giacomo d’Orlando (Nature-Based Solutions & Ocean Exploration). All participants signed a Charter of 14 commitments regarding ethics in photography.

The United Nations World Oceans Day Photo Competition is an ongoing tradition that calls on photographers and artists from around the world to communicate the beauty of the ocean and the importance of the respective UNWOD themes each year. Winning photos from past years can additionally be seen at www.unworldoceansday.org.

www.unworldoceansday.org

@unworldoceansday

Attachment

Rizzi Stigliano
Oceanic Global
631-241-0398
press@oceanic.global
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Dominica Prepares to Face the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season with Climate Resilient Infrastructure

Roseau, June 08, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Commonwealth of Dominica, a small island nation in the Caribbean, is not leaving its fate up to chance as they face the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season, which is predicted to be particularly stormy this year.

While Dominica cannot prevent hurricanes, they are doing all it can to ensure the safety of its citizens. The government has constructed emergency shelters, trained members in vulnerable communities, and educated citizens on ways they can safeguard themselves.

Early preparation and understanding of the risk is key to being hurricane resilient and climate-ready.

A Stormy Hurricane Season Predicted

The Atlantic hurricane season typically runs from 1 June to 30 November, during these months, tropical storms are most likely to form and wreak havoc in the Caribbean.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting “above-average hurricane activity” this year.

“NOAA predicts a 65% chance of an above-normal season, a likely range of 14 to 21 named storms of which 6 to 10 could become hurricanes, including 3 to 6 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5),” the NOAA stated in a recent press release.

Several climate factors can be attributed to the predicted hurricane season. These factors include La Nina, warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, and weaker tropical Atlantic trade winds.

Climate change has led to the warming of oceans, which leads to more water pumped into the sky, making hurricanes more powerful, and rising sea levels mean that storm surges are becoming more dangerous.

Lessons Learned

Dominica is on the frontline of climate change and is a target of natural disasters, mainly hurricanes and tropical storms. The nation does not produce greenhouse gases yet is among the main victims in the battle against climate change.

In 2017, Hurricane Maria damaged nearly every building, destroying nearly a quarter of them. Maria felled rainforests and knocked out the electricity, communications, and water supplies.

Since then, the nation has been committed to building back better, with the aim to become the world’s first climate-resilient country.

“Despite our disadvantages in Dominica, we are not leaving our fate up to chance, since 2017 we have taken decisive actions to realize our vision to build resilience within key sectors with support from local stakeholders as well regional, international agencies and organizations such as European Union,” said Dr the Hon Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister recently advised citizens to remain cautious and shared tips on how one can safeguard themselves and their communities in times of a natural disaster.

In May 2022, the government of Dominica commissioned two regional emergency shelters to which 300 – 500 people in Castle Bruce and Jimmit will benefit. These self-contained facilities can house those affected by a severe storm for about two weeks.

The shelters were built at a cost of EC$33 million with funding from the European Union, and feature wide spaces to serve as dormitories, storage rooms, kitchens, washrooms, medical centres, laundry facilities, administrative offices and alternate water and power supplies.

The two shelters are part of our resilience journey to combat climate change and lay a sustainable development path to a Dynamic Dominica.

“Hurricane Maria taught us unless we do this thing properly and we do it right we will be devastated each time because we really cannot prevent ourselves from being hit by a hurricane. But we are hoping that with our resilient building in terms of our infrastructure our roads, our bridges, our schools, and the health centres we can add some resilience and we can protect ourselves, our societies, and our communities from any such onslaught that may come in the future,” said Hon. Reginald Austrie, Member of Parliament for the Cottage Constituency.

Following Hurricane Maria, the government created the Climate Resilience Execution Agency for Dominica (CREAD). Its purpose is to lead and coordinate strategic initiatives across all sectors in the country with the goal of leading the climate resilience mission.

“In the Dynamic Dominica that we are creating, all must have access to safe shelter; we are keeping true to our promise of 5,000 resilient homes for the people of Dominica. We do not ever want our citizens to revisit the despair resulting from displacement and homelessness due to Hurricane Maria,” the Prime Minister said.

Building Back Better

When Hurricane Maria hit Dominica in 2017, it caused damage worth an estimated 220 per cent of its GDP. The majority of the small island’s roads, hospitals and housing sectors were also damaged. However, thanks to international, regional, and internal funds like that of the country’s long-running Citizenship by Investment Programme, Dominica has managed to recover at great lengths.

The Government of Dominica continues to build resilient climate infrastructure and develop strategies to strengthen the systems to boost capacity at the individual and community levels to more effectively respond to disaster impacts.

For several decades, Dominica has used funds generated by its Citizenship by Investment (CB) Programme to realise its ambitions towards constructing climate-resilient infrastructure that can withstand natural disasters, while creating lasting jobs in construction and tourism.

These projects include building 5000 climate-resilient homes, world-class hospitals, healthcare centres, and community centres. The nation has also invested and begun work on a Geothermal Power Plant in an effort to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels.

“The Government of Dominica is utilising its Climate Resilient and Recovery Plan (CRRP) to overcome the damages and build new sustainable infrastructure to ensure durability against extreme natural disasters. Despite being small in size, Dominica is working hard to achieve the desired goal of becoming the world’s first climate-resilient country,” said Micha Rose Emmett, CEO of the world’s leading government advisory and marketing firm, CS Global Partners

“The beauty about Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment Programme is that it really is a win-win solution for both the investor and the country as it enables the nation to grow sustainably without international aid and funds are used to build roads, schools, hospitals, and more,” Emmett added.

Established in 1993, Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment Programme is one of the world’s longest-running, fastest and most secure programme of its kind. Dominica’s Programme has helped vetted individuals and their families in becoming citizens of the nation once they either invest in a government fund or purchase pre-approved real estate properties.

PR Dominica
Commonwealth of Dominica
001 (767) 266 3919
cbiusecretary@dominica.gov.dm