Latest news with #climateResilience
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Bureau Veritas Partners with IFC's Building Resilience Index to Expand Resilience Verification Services Globally
PARIS, July 28, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bureau Veritas, a global leader in Testing, Inspection, and Certification services (TIC), has signed the first global verifier agreement to expand the reach and impact of the Building Resilience Index (BRI). Under this agreement, Bureau Veritas will serve as a verification partner for BRI across key emerging markets in Latin America, Africa, and East Asia and the Pacific. An innovation of IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, BRI is a web-based framework designed to help developers, investors, and policymakers identify risks to buildings posed by natural hazards and assess, improve, and disclose their resilience. Through this partnership with Bureau Veritas, BRI users will gain greater access to high-quality, third-party verification of climate-resilient construction practices, expanding trust and adoption of the tool in vulnerable regions where business continuity is increasingly threatened by extreme weather and related hazards. "We are delighted to become a Global Verifier of the Building Resilience Index. As climate phenomena intensify, it has become essential to integrate climate change adaptation into assets strategy. The signing of our global agreement with the International Finance Corporation marks a crucial step," said Marc Roussel, Executive Vice President, Urbanization and Assurance at Bureau Veritas. "Bureau Veritas has a long history as an independent third party mitigating natural and climate risks. Our network of experts will add a layer of trust so that stakeholders can rely on Building Resilience Index to evaluate vulnerability and effectiveness of adaptation strategies, worldwide." In recent years, physical risks such as floods, cyclones, heatwaves, fires, earthquakes and landslides have posed major threats to business operations, disrupting supply chains, displacing workers and jobs, hurting productivity, and impacting insurance and financing terms. The BRI-Bureau Veritas partnership responds to a growing demand from businesses and governments for reliable tools that support risk mitigation, asset protection, and long-term economic stability. "As businesses face increased risks to assets and infrastructure from natural disasters, the ability to assess and verify resilience is becoming a crucial element of operational and investment strategy," said Diep Nguyen-van Houtte, Senior Manager of Climate Business at IFC. "This partnership with Bureau Veritas strengthens the Building Resilience Index by ensuring that more clients—particularly in high-risk geographies—can benefit from credible, independently-verified insights into the resilience of their properties, adding a new tool to their climate adaptation arsenal." By offering third-party verification through Bureau Veritas, the Building Resilience Index helps stakeholders: Protect operational continuity by identifying risks early and designing for resilience Safeguard jobs and livelihoods by minimizing disruption in vulnerable communities Enhance access to capital through better risk ratings and insurance alignment Improve public trust and accountability through independent performance validation This partnership builds on IFC's broader commitment to integrating adaptation into private sector development and enabling practical, market-driven solutions for climate resilience. BRI is funded by the Australian Government and was developed and piloted with seed funding from the Government of the Netherlands and the Rockefeller Foundation, in cooperation with leading organizations including the ARISE Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies, Build Change, FM Global, the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery, Miyamoto International, and Resilience Action Fund. About Bureau Veritas: Bureau Veritas is a world leader in inspection, certification, and laboratory testing services with a powerful purpose: to shape a world of trust by ensuring responsible progress. With a vision to be the preferred partner for customers' excellence and sustainability, the company innovates to help them navigate in 1828, Bureau Veritas' 84,000 employees deliver services in 140 countries. The company's technical experts support customers to address challenges in quality, health and safety, environmental protection, and Veritas is listed on Euronext Paris and belongs to the CAC 40, CAC 40 ESG, SBF 120 indices and is part of the CAC SBT 1.5° index. Compartment A, ISIN code FR 0006174348, stock symbol: BVI. For more information, visit and follow us on LinkedIn. About IFC: IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2024, IFC committed a record $56 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging private sector solutions and mobilizing private capital to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. For more information, visit Stay Connected with IFC on social media View source version on Contacts ANALYST/INVESTOR CONTACTS Laurent Brunelle +33 (0)1 55 24 76 Colin Verbrugghe +33 (0)1 55 24 77 Karine Ansart Inès Lagoutte MEDIA CONTACTS Anette Rey +33 (0)6 69 79 84 Martin Bovo +33 (0) 6 14 46 79 Morgan Graham +1 (202) 304-4771mgraham2@ Sign in to access your portfolio
Associated Press
4 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Bureau Veritas Partners with IFC's Building Resilience Index to Expand Resilience Verification Services Globally
PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 28, 2025-- Bureau Veritas, a global leader in Testing, Inspection, and Certification services (TIC), has signed the first global verifier agreement to expand the reach and impact of the Building Resilience Index (BRI). Under this agreement, Bureau Veritas will serve as a verification partner for BRI across key emerging markets in Latin America, Africa, and East Asia and the Pacific. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: Marc Roussel, Executive Vice President, Urbanization & Assurance at Bureau Veritas An innovation of IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, BRI is a web-based framework designed to help developers, investors, and policymakers identify risks to buildings posed by natural hazards and assess, improve, and disclose their resilience. Through this partnership with Bureau Veritas, BRI users will gain greater access to high-quality, third-party verification of climate-resilient construction practices, expanding trust and adoption of the tool in vulnerable regions where business continuity is increasingly threatened by extreme weather and related hazards. 'We are delighted to become a Global Verifier of the Building Resilience Index. As climate phenomena intensify, it has become essential to integrate climate change adaptation into assets strategy. The signing of our global agreement with the International Finance Corporation marks a crucial step,' said Marc Roussel, Executive Vice President, Urbanization and Assurance at Bureau Veritas. 'Bureau Veritas has a long history as an independent third party mitigating natural and climate risks. Our network of experts will add a layer of trust so that stakeholders can rely on Building Resilience Index to evaluate vulnerability and effectiveness of adaptation strategies, worldwide.' In recent years, physical risks such as floods, cyclones, heatwaves, fires, earthquakes and landslides have posed major threats to business operations, disrupting supply chains, displacing workers and jobs, hurting productivity, and impacting insurance and financing terms. The BRI-Bureau Veritas partnership responds to a growing demand from businesses and governments for reliable tools that support risk mitigation, asset protection, and long-term economic stability. 'As businesses face increased risks to assets and infrastructure from natural disasters, the ability to assess and verify resilience is becoming a crucial element of operational and investment strategy,' said Diep Nguyen-van Houtte, Senior Manager of Climate Business at IFC. 'This partnership with Bureau Veritas strengthens the Building Resilience Index by ensuring that more clients—particularly in high-risk geographies—can benefit from credible, independently-verified insights into the resilience of their properties, adding a new tool to their climate adaptation arsenal.' By offering third-party verification through Bureau Veritas, the Building Resilience Index helps stakeholders: This partnership builds on IFC's broader commitment to integrating adaptation into private sector development and enabling practical, market-driven solutions for climate resilience. BRI is funded by the Australian Government and was developed and piloted with seed funding from the Government of the Netherlands and the Rockefeller Foundation, in cooperation with leading organizations including the ARISE Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies, Build Change, FM Global, the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery, Miyamoto International, and Resilience Action Fund. About Bureau Veritas: Bureau Veritas is a world leader in inspection, certification, and laboratory testing services with a powerful purpose: to shape a world of trust by ensuring responsible progress. With a vision to be the preferred partner for customers' excellence and sustainability, the company innovates to help them navigate change. Created in 1828, Bureau Veritas' 84,000 employees deliver services in 140 countries. The company's technical experts support customers to address challenges in quality, health and safety, environmental protection, and sustainability. Bureau Veritas is listed on Euronext Paris and belongs to the CAC 40, CAC 40 ESG, SBF 120 indices and is part of the CAC SBT 1.5° index. Compartment A, ISIN code FR 0006174348, stock symbol: BVI. For more information, visit and follow us on LinkedIn. About IFC: IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2024, IFC committed a record $56 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging private sector solutions and mobilizing private capital to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. For more information, visit Stay Connected with IFC on social media View source version on CONTACT: ANALYST/INVESTOR CONTACTS Laurent Brunelle +33 (0)1 55 24 76 09 [email protected] Verbrugghe +33 (0)1 55 24 77 80 [email protected] Ansart [email protected]ès Lagoutte [email protected] CONTACTSAnette Rey +33 (0)6 69 79 84 88 [email protected] Bovo +33 (0) 6 14 46 79 94 [email protected] Graham +1 (202) 304-4771 [email protected] KEYWORD: FRANCE EUROPE INDUSTRY KEYWORD: CONSTRUCTION & PROPERTY ENVIRONMENT FINANCE CONSULTING ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY CLIMATE CHANGE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES OTHER CONSTRUCTION & PROPERTY SOURCE: Bureau Veritas Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 07/28/2025 02:00 AM/DISC: 07/28/2025 02:01 AM
Khaleej Times
09-07-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
AI, climate resilience could boost Mideast GDP by $232b: PwC
Strategic adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and bold action on climate resilience could boost the Middle East's gross domestic product by as much as $232 billion by 2035, according to new research by PwC. The report identifies the UAE as a key driver of this transformative growth, thanks to its early investments in AI infrastructure, strong climate commitments, and leadership in renewable energy. Titled Value in motion: The Middle East's time to lead is now, the PwC report outlines three future economic scenarios for the region, showing how decisive leadership in AI and sustainability can unlock a new era of tech-enabled prosperity. Under the most ambitious outlook, regional GDP could reach $4.68 trillion by 2035, compared to $3.57 trillion today — an increase of over $1.1 trillion. However, this optimistic trajectory hinges on two critical levers: widespread, responsible AI adoption and a proactive approach to climate adaptation. Without intervention, the region could suffer a GDP hit of up to 13.9 per cent due to escalating climate risks such as extreme heat, water scarcity, and flooding. On the flip side, PwC's modelling shows that AI alone could contribute 8.3 per cent to GDP growth through productivity gains across sectors. The UAE, already recognised for its forward-looking digital agenda, is positioning itself as a pioneer in this dual transformation. Home to the world's first Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and one of the lowest-cost renewable energy ecosystems globally, the UAE is uniquely placed to lead the convergence of digital and sustainable development. Stephen Anderson, chief strategy and technology officer at PwC Middle East, emphasised that the coming decade will test the region's readiness to embrace profound structural change. 'As the dynamics of the 'three tomorrows' unfold — technology disruption, climate urgency, and cross-sector transformation — they will reshape the Middle East's economy,' he said. 'To stay ahead, businesses and governments must act with pace, purpose, and partnership.' The research introduces a new framework centered on what PwC calls 'domains of growth' — interconnected ecosystems that move beyond traditional sectors and reflect how societies will meet core human needs in the future. These include how we move, build, fuel, care, compute, and connect. In this context, the UAE's multi-sectoral initiatives — from AI-powered healthcare and autonomous transport to clean hydrogen and 5G infrastructure — offer a real-time blueprint for regional reinvention. Dr Yahya Anouti, partner at Strategy& and PwC Middle East's sustainability platform leader, stressed the importance of balancing AI scalability with energy availability. 'A critical factor will be how effectively the region aligns the cost and scalability of AI with the availability of clean energy to power it. This balance is essential as AI demand accelerates at an unprecedented pace,' he noted. The report argues that the Middle East — especially countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia — can not only adapt to emerging global shifts but lead them, if they align institutional innovation, private-sector reform, and talent development. Governments are urged to reconfigure ministries to meet evolving societal needs — such as establishing departments focused on mobility, care, or digital governance — and to create public funds aimed at fast-tracking AI adoption. Analysts noted that businesses in the region are encouraged to localise supply chains, redesign operating models for a low-carbon digital economy, and form cross-sector partnerships. Academic institutions are also called on to develop future-ready talent by embedding AI, climate studies, and entrepreneurship into their curricula while fostering applied research. The UAE's recent moves reflect this holistic approach. In May, the government unveiled plans to deploy AI across education, logistics, and public safety. Simultaneously, Abu Dhabi is ramping up investment in clean hydrogen, while Dubai has launched initiatives to equip one million people with AI skills by 2030. Global tech firms are also taking note. Microsoft, Google, and Amazon Web Services have all expanded their cloud infrastructure in the UAE, citing the country's stable regulatory environment and clean energy availability as decisive factors. With AI data centers requiring immense energy input, the UAE's solar and nuclear assets offer a sustainable edge. The report underscores that while the opportunity is vast, the clock is ticking. The Middle East's path to $4.68 trillion in GDP by 2035 is not guaranteed — but it is within reach, if nations seize the moment. 'The value is already in motion,' the PwC report concludes. 'Now is the time to act.'
Arab News
04-07-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan to use $1.4 billion IMF climate loan to expand green investment, fiscal space
KARACHI: Pakistan will use a $1.4 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund's climate resilience fund to expand fiscal space, embed climate planning into public investment decisions and unlock private-sector capital for green projects, the IMF said on Friday. The financing, approved by the IMF's Executive Board in May under its Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF), is part of a broader reform program that aims to help Pakistan adapt to increasingly frequent and devastating climate shocks. Pakistan is the first country in the Middle East and Central Asia region to access the IMF's Resilience and Sustainability Facility. The fund was launched in 2022 to help climate-vulnerable low- and middle-income countries make the structural changes needed to protect their economies and populations. 'The RSF will help build climate resilience in Pakistan by creating fiscal space to address climate vulnerabilities, such as the need to improve climate-resilient adaptation infrastructure,' Mahir Binici, the IMF's resident representative in Pakistan, told Arab News in a written response. 'It will also boost climate's prominence in public investment management and budget processes,' he said, 'helping Pakistan better identify and target projects needed to strengthen resilience to climate shocks.' A third pillar of the reforms, Binici said, is improving the overall 'enabling environment for green investment' so that banks and private firms could incorporate climate-related risk considerations into their risk management and investment activities. The RSF financing will be disbursed over a 28-month period and runs alongside Pakistan's $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF), whose first review was also approved in May, releasing roughly $1 billion in immediate support. CLIMATE-FINANCE GAP Pakistan, one of the world's most climate-vulnerable countries, has long struggled to align its public finances with the scale of climate risk it faces. The 2022 floods alone affected over 33 million people and caused more than $30 billion in damages and economic losses. By reforming how climate priorities are reflected in budget planning and investment screening, the IMF says Pakistan will be better equipped to attract funding and respond to future disasters. The RSF does not fund individual infrastructure projects. Instead, it supports 'policy and institutional reforms that make climate action more effective,' Binici explained. These include reforms in disaster coordination, water and irrigation infrastructure, and provincial implementation capacity. Binici said the IMF program supports better coordination between the federal and provincial governments on disaster risk financing, a chronic weakness in past emergency responses, and policy changes that would strengthen water and irrigation management. 'Policy reforms that directly target Pakistan's water management and irrigation infrastructure would help make farmers more resilient to climate shocks,' he said, adding the focus would be on improving irrigation service standards, reliability, and water supply adequacy. The reforms also aim to reduce waterlogging, salinity, groundwater depletion, and growing water insecurity, issues that disproportionately impact poor rural communities. The IMF said its climate program in Pakistan takes a 'whole-of-government' approach, with many reforms to be implemented at the provincial level. 'Much of the focus is on improving coordination mechanisms between the federal government and the provinces,' Binici said.
RNZ News
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Mātauranga Māori science fair applies traditional thinking to modern-day problems
William Anaru said Te Arawa Lakes Trust always intended to expand the fair beyond Rotorua. Photo: Supplied/Cornell Tukiri A Rotorua-based science fair engaging tamariki in mātauranga Māori is expanding its registrations to the entire country for the first time. Te Tūkohu Ngāwhā Mātauranga Māori Science and Design Fair is run by Te Arawa Lakes Trust and, this year, it will be held from 23-25 July at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre. Te Arawa Lakes Trust environment manager William Anaru (Te Arawa) said the fair began as an idea five years ago to engage more tamariki around Rotorua in science. "The science fair wasn't just aimed at your traditional western science model, we also incorporated mātauranga Māori, sustainable design, we've got an art component and, this year, we are looking at climate resilience." Since it began, the fair has grown significantly, with a huge variety of projects, from exhibits on rongoā Māori to a camera used to identify invasive catfish, he said. "Last year, the winner of the science fair, their team actually put in an exhibition that looked at whether or not Hinemoa could hear the flute of Tutanekai, when the sound was going across the lake, so the level of things that kids are testing these days is pretty remarkable." The team determined that, yes, [ Hinemoa could have heard Tutanekai's koauau] (flute) across the waters of Rotorua, although Anaru said, these days, there was a lot more background noise. "It's not just baking soda volcanoes - there's quite a lot of variety," he said. Anaru said Te Arawa Lakes Trust had always intended to expand the fair beyond Rotorua. This year, students as far afield as Fielding, Tokoroa, Auckland and Whangārei had entered. "We just want to continue to grow it and grow it and grow it, because some of the ideas that these kids have, they are pretty awesome to hear. "It's all about providing a platform for them to showcase their ideas and show it to an audience that is open to soaking up some of that stuff." Mātauranga Māori has assisted larger projects in the Rotorua, such as uwhi - a large harakeke mat that was used to suppress invasive weeds on the lake beds, he said. "There are definitely things that our ancestors - not just the ancestors of Māori, but from around the world - there's ideas that have been shared for thousands of years between different groups. "There's elements of all those ideas that input into modern science, as well as mātauranga, so I do think there are solutions for everything that we've got facing us." Anaru said people just had to be open and willing to adopt some of those ideas, and that was why they wanted to give children from around the North Island a platform to showcase their ideas. Whangamarino School principal Rehua Mihaka (Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Rongomai) said they have been involved with the fair for the last two years. Last year, projects among the school students focussed on the water quality of Lake Rotoiti, which was right on the school's doorstep. "This was really good for our tuākana [older class] to actually monitor the mauri - or the life of our waters - how clean it was, how polluted it was and gauge what can we do as kaitiaki to fix te mauri o te wai." At this stage, Mihaka said having a hands-on experience might not mean a lot to the kids, but one day, they might look back, and realise the connection between water quality and health. "Ko te kōrero ka hoatu au ki ngā tamariki, ki te ora te wai ka ora te whenua, ka pērā hoki ki te ora te whenua ka ora te wai, ki te ora te wai me te whenua ka ora te tangata. "It's all about us giving back to our taiao [environment] and those are the sorts of teachings we want our tamariki to come away with." The fair definitely improves the tamariki's understanding of the western sciences, as well as mātauranga Māori, he said. When the kids see mātauranga Māori and western science being treated equally, they get very excited. "Ka tino harikoa ngā tamariki ki te kite i te tauritetanga o ngā mātauranga Māori ki tō ngā mātauranga pūtaiao. "They actually do get excited, when they find those findings within their studies." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
