AlexJet Unveils New Global Brand Identity & Upgrades Fleet

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Dec. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Falcon is pleased to announce the transition of AlexJet to ‘one brand, one platform’ model and changing its name to Falcon Luxe.

The new brand inherits the DNA of AlexJet while integrating seamlessly into the Falcon private aviation suite of brands, which also include:

  • Falcon Elite – a global private terminals (FBO) brand
  • Falcon Flight Support – a global brand offering flight support services
  • Falcon Technic – a suite of world–class MRO services

Can Şaşmaz, Chief Executive Officer at Falcon, commented: “With more global travellers choosing to fly private, I am confident in the continued success and expansion of Falcon Luxe. With strong demand in the Middle East, Europe and other key markets, we look forward to offering our loyal clients the finest in–flight experience along with the best value. Our commitment to the brand is reflected in continuous investment in talent, technology, and infrastructure to provide a suite of highly personalised services.”

Falcon Luxe operates a diversified modern private jet fleet comprising 10 aircraft. The investment and expansion of the Falcon Luxe fleet has been critical in meeting demand.

In late 2024, new aircraft will join the Falcon Luxe fleet, including the long–range Bombardier Global Express 6500 in an ultra–premium configuration, in line with the further expansion of the fleet. The new aircraft will allow offering non–stop flights of up to 12,000km connecting most of the global city pairs.

Falcon Luxe will also unveil a new premium cabin design, a bet to attract high–spending travelers to flights that can top 14 hours. The new concept is aimed at setting new industry standards on the world’s longest routes. Designed with discerning travellers in mind, the new cabins promise luxury with enhanced space and comfort, allowing passengers to relax or work effortlessly on board.

When flying Falcon Luxe, every itinerary is meticulously crafted to ensure the highest levels of safety, security, and wellbeing for all passengers. Discover more about the Falcon universe at flyfalcon.com.

About Falcon

Falcon is a premier aviation service provider, dedicated to delivering unparalleled luxury, safety, and convenience across all facets of private aviation. It comprises four brands: Falcon Luxe is a fleet of modern private jets available for global charter; Falcon Elite is an international network of luxurious private terminals (FBOs), Falcon Technic offers a full suite of MRO services; Falcon Flight Support ensures that every flight is seamless. From intuitive technology to discreet, anticipatory service, we obsess over the details, so you don't have to. Discover more at flyfalcon.com, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Media Inquiries

Oleg Kafarov
Group Director – Brand Marketing
Alex Investment Group
1001, Marina Plaza, Al Marsa Street, Dubai, UAE
Telephone: +971 4 324 6592
alexinvestmentgroup.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ea0653cf–500e–474c–84d8–66c8d2ab5aa6


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 1001027625)

GFO-X Announces ABN AMRO Clearing, IMC, Standard Chartered Bank and Virtu Financial as Strategic Partners Ahead of Launch in Q1 2025

LONDON, Dec. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GFO–X announces ABN AMRO Clearing, IMC, Standard Chartered Bank and Virtu Financial as strategic partners ahead of launch in Q1 2025.         

GFO–X is the UK’s first regulated and centrally cleared trading venue dedicated to digital asset derivatives. GFO–X has been working closely with these partners to deliver the requirements necessary to grow the institutional digital asset index futures and options market.

GFO–X provides a cutting–edge trading platform built for institutions, delivering investors a secure and efficient trading environment to seamlessly manage digital asset exposure.

The company looks forward to announcing additional exciting partnerships with leading financial institutions in the immediate future.

Arnab Sen, CEO and Co–Founder of GFO–X, said, “We are delighted to announce our strategic partners as we drive towards launch in Q1 next year. Their support is a clear and strong endorsement of our vision of the market structure required to deliver digital asset derivatives to large institutional clients. It demonstrates the need for a highly regulated venue to bring additional depth, breadth, and diversification to the current limited choices in centrally cleared digital asset index derivatives. We believe the digital asset derivatives market will grow exponentially over the coming years.”

Barry Polak, Lead Product Commerce, ABN AMRO Clearing, said,We are excited to partner with GFO–X, the UK's first regulated and centrally cleared trading venue dedicated to digital asset derivatives. This strategic collaboration underscores our shared commitment to advancing the institutional digital asset futures and options market. By leveraging LCH DigitalAssetClear's clearing services, we enhance transaction security and minimise counterparty risk, offering our clients unparalleled confidence in trading Bitcoin futures and options. A logical step to continue to lead the way to safe and transparent markets.”

Osi Lilian, IMC Strategic Investments Co–Lead, said, “IMC was proud to be one of the earliest investors in GFO–X in 2021. We aligned with their vision of establishing the UK's first regulated and centrally cleared trading venue for digital asset derivatives, built on secure, high–performance technology and robust risk management. As a market maker, our strategic connection with GFO–X underscores our commitment to the institutional digital asset futures and options market – a rapidly evolving space we believe holds significant potential for continued growth and opportunity.”

Andy Ross, Global Head, Prime & Financing, Financing & Securities Service, Standard Chartered, said, “We’re delighted to support the launch of GFO–X derivatives and to join LCH SA as a general clearing member to enable our clients to trade and clear. We continue to invest in servicing our clients broadly across the crypto space in coin, token and derivative form.

Virtu makes markets globally and is excited to support new and innovative platforms for digital assets in this role. We see broadening adoption and increasing demand as the crypto markets continue to mature and embrace the risk management benefits and capital efficiencies of centralised clearing.”

MEDIA CONTACTS

Eterna Partners for GFO–X
eternapartners@gfo–x.com

Serra Balls + 447775763018
Lucas Blasco Argullos

About GFO–X
GFO–X is the UK’s first regulated and centrally cleared trading venue dedicated to digital asset derivatives. Combining proprietary high–performance technology with industry–leading partnerships and infrastructure, GFO–X delivers the requirements necessary to grow the institutional digital asset derivatives market.   

GFO–X provides comprehensive risk management for transactions in digital asset derivatives through clearing provided by LCH DigitalAssetClear. Backed by M&G Investments and authorised by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in 2022, GFO–X’s regulation–first approach has enabled it to partner with some of the largest financial institutions in the world.  

GFO–X believes the digital asset futures and options markets will grow exponentially over the coming years as the asset class matures and more sophisticated investors begin to participate in greater size. By solving market constraints such as counterparty risks and technology challenges, GFO–X delivers a robust market structure and innovative products to propel the next leg of growth of the digital asset ecosystem.

About ABN AMRO Clearing 
ABN AMRO Clearing is recognised as a global leading provider of integrated solutions in clearing, execution, custody, financing, and risk management. With 11 offices globally, we are able to service clients on 160+ exchanges, MTFs and FX liquidity centres, processing over 20 million trades daily. ABN AMRO Clearing consistently ranks amongst the top 3 clearing firms on most relevant derivatives exchanges globally. With over 1000 colleagues, and together with our partners and our clients, it is our responsibility to encourage and support sensible and sustainable regulatory frameworks. We use our knowledge and expertise to lead the way to safe and transparent financial ecosystems.

About IMC
IMC is a leading global trading firm powered by a cutting–edge research environment and a world–class technology backbone. Founded in 1989, IMC employs more than 1,600 talented individuals across offices in Europe, the US, and Asia–Pacific. Its core business is to provide essential liquidity in financial assets on trading venues, and to deliver the best outcome in value and risk to investors. IMC engages in trading activities on its own account and employs advanced algorithms, statistical techniques, and innovative technologies to execute its strategies. IMC Strategic Investments is IMC’s venture capital arm. This entrepreneurial initiative is focused on collaboration, connecting start–ups and scale–ups with IMC’s world–class expertise and financial backing to drive long–lasting value and success across industries specialising in blockchain technology, quantum technology, DevOps, and cloud computing.

About Standard Chartered
We are a leading international banking group, with a presence in 52 of the world’s most dynamic markets. Our purpose is to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, and our heritage and values are expressed in our brand promise, here for good. Standard Chartered PLC is listed on the London and Hong Kong stock exchanges. For more stories and expert opinions please visit Insights at sc.com. Follow Standard Chartered on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

About Virtu Financial, Inc.
Virtu is a leading provider of financial services and products that leverages cutting–edge technology to deliver liquidity to the global markets and innovative, transparent trading solutions to its clients. Leveraging its global market making expertise and infrastructure, Virtu provides a robust product suite including offerings in execution, liquidity sourcing, analytics and broker–neutral, multi–dealer platforms in workflow technology. Virtu’s product offerings allow clients to trade on hundreds of venues across 50+ countries and in multiple asset classes, including global equities, ETFs, foreign exchange, futures, fixed income, cryptocurrency and myriad other commodities. In addition, Virtu’s integrated, multi–asset analytics platform provides a range of pre–, intra–, and post–trade services, data products and compliance tools that clients rely upon to invest, trade and manage risk across global markets.


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 1001027569)

Des combustibles fossiles vers un avenir vert : Oxford et EBC Financial Group expliquent ce qui nous retient d’agir

OXFORD, Royaume–Uni, 09 déc. 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Dans un monde progressivement façonné par la double crise que nous vivons actuellement, celle du changement climatique et celle de l’instabilité économique, le Département d’économie d’Oxford, en collaboration avec EBC Financial Group (EBC), a organisé une session charnière dans le cadre de la série « What Economists Really Do? » (Ce que font réellement les économistes, WERD). L’événement a rassemblé d’éminentes figures du monde universitaire et de la finance afin d’explorer des stratégies concrètes visant à aligner les systèmes économiques en matière de durabilité environnementale, tout en répondant aux préoccupations urgentes sur le plan sociétal.

L’événement, intitulé « Macroeconomics and Climate » (Macroéconomie et climat), a été inauguré par une conférence menée par le professeur agrégé Andrea Chiavari, et par une réunion–débat intitulée « Sustaining Sustainability: Balancing Economic Growth and Climate Resilience » (Soutenir la durabilité : équilibrer la croissance économique et la résilience climatique), modérée par la professeure agrégée Banu Demir Pakel. Parmi les intervenants, on peut citer la Dre Nicola Ranger, directrice du Global Finance Group de l’Environmental Change Institute et chercheuse principale à Oxford, et David Barrett, PDG d’EBC Financial Group (UK) Ltd. Ensemble, ils ont décortiqué l’intersectionnalité entre politique, finance et impact humain, et ont proposé des perspectives et recommandations pratiques allant au–delà du discours théorique.

De gauche à droite : la Dre Nicola Ranger (directrice du Global Finance Group de l’Environmental Change Institute et chercheuse principale), le professeur agrégé Andrea Chiavari (Département d’Économie), David Barrett (PDG d’EBC Financial Group [UK] Ltd) , et la professeure agrégée Banu Demir Pakel (Département d’Économie)

EBC Financial Group : encourager le trading responsable et l’innovation durable
EBC Financial Group, dont la présence sur les marchés financiers mondiaux ne cesse de croître, offre à ses clients du monde entier des opportunités de trading dans les domaines des opérations de change, des matières premières, les indices et bien plus encore, grâce à ses solutions de courtage exhaustives. EBC, qui opère auprès des principaux centres financiers et marchés émergents, dote les traders d’outils innovants et favorise la collaboration afin de relever les défis en constante évolution liés à la finance mondiale. En tant que partenaire officiel des marchés des changes du FC Barcelone et partenaire de la campagne United to Beat Malaria des Nations Unies, EBC s’engage pour un avenir défini par la durabilité, l’équité et les pratiques commerciales responsables.

La participation d’EBC à la série WERD reflète l’urgence croissante de créer un pont entre les marchés financiers et le monde de la recherche universitaire afin de relever les défis climatiques et économiques. En participant à une conversation commune visant à trouver des stratégies concrètes, EBC a rejoint une communauté de leaders d’opinion pour mettre en évidence les étapes pratiques à mettre en œuvre pour aligner les systèmes financiers en matière d’objectifs de développement durable.

Pouvons–nous poursuivre la croissance économique et sauver la planète ?
Au cœur des discussions, on s’est notamment accordé sur le fait que la sécurité financière et la sécurité environnementale constituent des préoccupations que chacun partage sur le plan universel. Le Dr Chiavari a prononcé un discours d’ouverture évocateur à propos des coûts économiques liés au changement climatique. Il a illustré la croissance spectaculaire du PIB mondial depuis la révolution industrielle et a mis cela en corrélation avec les conséquences environnementales de la consommation de combustibles fossiles et de l’augmentation des émissions de CO2. Le Dr Chiavari a souligné l’importance fondamentale du coût social du carbone dans l’élaboration de politiques efficaces.

Son message portait principalement sur le concept de coût social du carbone, qui quantifie les coûts des émissions sur le plan sociétal à plus large échelle. « Les taxes carbone ne sont pas uniquement nécessaires sur le plan environnemental, mais aussi sur le plan économique », a–t–il affirmé. Le Dr Chiavari a expliqué comment de telles mesures devraient générer les incitations économiques nécessaires pour encourager les entreprises et les particuliers à faire des choix durables. « Réfléchissez bien, » a–t–il ajouté. « Quand vous allumez le radiateur, l’avantage pour vous reste le même : vous réchauffez la pièce. En revanche, le coût est désormais beaucoup plus élevé qu’avant. »

Pour développer ce point, le Dr Chiavari a souligné que les taxes carbone sont conçues pour cibler les émissions de carbone plutôt que la consommation d’énergie en elle–même. « Les taxes carbone sont un impôt sur le carbone, pas sur l’énergie, » a–t–il expliqué. « Par conséquent, cela crée d’énormes incitations pour que le secteur privé, pour que les individus comme vous et moi, passent de la consommation de combustibles fossiles à des sources d’énergie alternatives. Il n’est pas seulement question de réduire l’énergie ou la production ; il s’agit de créer d’énormes incitations pour se tourner vers des sources d’énergie alternatives. »

En partant de ce postulat, la réunion–débat modérée par la Dre Banu Demir Pakel, s’est penchée plus en détail sur les aspects pratiques que supposerait l’alignement de la croissance économique sur la résilience climatique.

Construire un pont entre politique, finance et mesures à travers un débat avec différents points de vue
La réunion–débat s’est penchée sur les interactions complexes entre la croissance économique et la résilience climatique. Chaque intervenant a apporté son expertise propre à la conversation, et de nouvelles perspectives sur la manière dont les systèmes mondiaux peuvent s’adapter à ce double impératif.

Le Dr Chiavari a insisté sur l’aspect mondial de la lutte contre le changement climatique. Il a notamment souligné le fait que les émissions transcendent les frontières et nécessitent une réponse internationale coordonnée. Il a évoqué les risques de fuite de carbone, dans les cas où des politiques climatiques strictes au sein d’un pays pourraient conduire à un déplacement des émissions vers des régions aux réglementations plus laxistes, ce qui compromettrait les progrès réalisés à l’échelle mondiale. Pour atténuer ce problème, le Dr Chiavari a plaidé en faveur de politiques encourageant la collaboration et l’innovation sur le plan international, afin de s’assurer que les transitions vers des pratiques durables sont à la fois équitables, et globales.

La Dre Ranger a mis l’accent sur les opportunités économiques susceptibles d’émerger de la prise de mesures climatiques, et a déclaré : « Il ne s’agit pas seulement de coûts, mais aussi d’opportunités. » La Dre Ranger a également souligné l’importance de revoir le discours public, en précisant que la lutte contre les risques climatiques avait le potentiel d’être associée à la création d’emplois et à la stimulation de la croissance économique. Elle a insisté sur le fait qu’une action climatique efficace pouvait favoriser l’innovation et le progrès, sans pour autant représenter une charge financière importante. Elle se positionne également en faveur de réorienter les subventions aux combustibles fossiles et autres subventions qui nuisent à l’environnement, et qui représentent, à l’échelle mondiale jusqu’à 7 000 milliards de dollars par an, vers des investissements verts, comme les énergies renouvelables.

Fort de son expérience approfondie des marchés financiers, Barrett a souligné l’importance d’aligner les mesures d’incitations fondées sur les lois du marché sur les objectifs en matière de développement durable. Il a offert une évaluation honnête des défis qui se présentent dans ce secteur au moment de faire le choix de la durabilité, et a mis l’accent sur le fait que les institutions financières sont motivées par le profit : « Les marchés financiers sont mus par le besoin de faire du chiffre, que ce soit pour ses actionnaires ou ses investisseurs. » Barrett a insisté sur le fait que les gouvernements devaient impérativement créer des cadres réglementaires applicables. Il a précisé que l’alignement était indispensable pour canaliser l’influence du secteur et ainsi entraîner une action climatique significative.

Au sujet des critères environnementaux, sociaux et de gouvernance (Environmental, Social, and Governance, ou ESG), Barrett a exprimé ses inquiétudes quant à leur mise en œuvre actuelle, déclarant que « les critères ESG ressemblent désormais davantage à un exercice de cases à cocher ». Il a appelé à mettre en œuvre des politiques plus fortes qui garantissent la responsabilisation des acteurs et génèrent un impact mesurable, et ne se contentent pas uniquement de respecter des normes superficielles.

Au moment d’évoquer les « clubs climat », Barrett a mis en avant les risques liés à la fragmentation des efforts mondiaux. « Pour que ces initiatives soient fructueuses, tous les acteurs principaux doivent être inclus, » a–t–il signalé. « Sans cela, les réductions d’émissions réalisées dans certaines régions pourraient être neutralisées par une augmentation des émissions à d’autres endroits. » Il a précisé que cela pourrait compromettre les progrès collectifs nécessaires pour relever les défis climatiques.

Quelles mesures pratiques les gouvernements, entreprises et particuliers doivent–ils prendre pour bâtir un avenir économique durable qui semblerait réalisable et sûr pour chacun ?

La modératrice et les participants au débat ont été interrogés séparément afin d’approfondir cette question cruciale. Ils ont eu l’occasion d’apporter leurs différents points de vue quant aux rôles collaboratifs que les gouvernements, entreprises et particuliers pourraient jouer afin de relever les défis climatiques.

Le rôle des gouvernements : politiques et planification
La Dre Demir Pakel a souligné l’importance de l’éducation et de la prise de conscience dans la lutte contre le changement climatique. Elle a particulièrement insisté sur le rôle des gouvernements pour stimuler le changement. « Le rôle des gouvernements est de commencer par encourager une plus grande prise de conscience », a–t–elle expliqué, notant la nécessité d’une éducation précoce quant aux conséquences du changement climatique. Elle a souligné le besoin de politiques qui favorisent non seulement le secteur privé, mais guident également les comportements des consommateurs. « Nous parlons d’un réseau complexe dans lequel les gouvernements ont la responsabilité majeure de planifier et de guider l’action à tous les niveaux, » a–t–elle indiqué.

« Le secteur privé a besoin d’incitations pour agir, car il aura assurément une vision à plus court terme que le gouvernement. C’est donc les comportements qui doivent changer, et le gouvernement a ici un autre rôle à jouer : mettre en œuvre des politiques visant à changer les comportements du secteur privé et des consommateurs », a–t–elle ajouté.

Mesures d’incitation fondées sur les lois du marché et taxes carbone
Le Dr Chiavari a insisté sur la nécessité d’interventions gouvernementales, notamment via les taxes carbone, afin de corriger les défaillances du marché. Selon lui, en intégrant le coût sociétal associé des émissions aux prix de l’énergie, les gouvernements peuvent encourager des décisions de consommation et d’investissement plus responsables.

Changer le discours : une transition positive
La Dre Ranger est revenue sur les défis actuels en matière d’action climatique, rappelant qu’une partie importante du problème réside dans la prise de conscience. « Il y a actuellement quelque chose qui ne va pas, et je pense que cela est lié en grande partie au problème de la prise de conscience », a–t–elle déclaré. « Les gouvernements jouent un rôle, mais ils agissent fondamentalement sur les points en fonction desquels les citoyens votent. L’absence de prise de conscience quant aux avantages immédiats que représenterait une transition énergétique verte, notamment en matière de sécurité énergétique et de santé publique, constitue actuellement un problème majeur. »

Ranger s’est élevée contre le fait que le discours autour du changement climatique ces dernières années a échoué, en présentant cette initiative comme un défi coûteux et fastidieux. « Le discours tourne essentiellement autour du fait qu’il va falloir beaucoup d’argent pour gérer tout cela. Je m’oppose à ce point de vue, et les preuves dont nous disposons ne permettent d’ailleurs pas de l’étayer. Il va de soi que nous devons prendre des décisions difficiles, mais nous savons aussi qu’à l’heure actuelle, c’est notre façon d’aborder la question qui complique les choses. Plus particulièrement, le manque de certitude de la part du gouvernement quant à ses politiques bloque les investissements et augmente les coûts. Toutes les données montrent qu’en mettant en place les politiques adéquates et en fixant un cap clair pour les investisseurs, une transition équitable constitue à la fois la voie la moins coûteuse mais aussi la plus bénéfique », a–t–elle déclaré.

Elle a insisté sur le fait que rediriger les subventions aux combustibles fossiles pourrait servir de catalyseur pour une transition positive. « À l’échelle mondiale, nous injectons des sommes d’argent colossales dans les subventions aux combustibles fossiles ; les estimations varient d’ailleurs entre cinq et sept mille milliards de dollars par an. Si on y mettait un terme et que l’on investissait cet argent dans les technologies propres, le problème serait déjà résolu. »

Pour répondre à ce problème, Ranger a appelé à un changement dans le discours public afin de mettre l’accent sur les opportunités économiques inhérentes à l’action climatique. Elle a insisté sur le rôle du monde universitaire et des experts dans la transformation du discours, et a déclaré : « Nous devons nous assurer que les gens comprennent qu’il s’agit d’une transition positive. Grâce à une bonne politique gouvernementale, l’impact sur les particuliers sera minime, et pourrait en réalité contribuer à la croissance de l’emploi et à l’innovation. »

Ranger a conclu en exhortant les gouvernements à prendre l’initiative de transformer ce discours : « Ce que j’aimerais vraiment, c’est que les gouvernements soutiennent cette initiative et disent : ‘Écoutez, voilà ce qui va se passer, et ça vous sera favorable. C’est la marche à suivre, et c’est nécessaire à la fois pour les investisseurs et pour le grand public’. »

Le rôle des entreprises et des particuliers : prise de responsabilité et innovation
Barrett a donné un point de vue honnête sur le rôle des entreprises et des particuliers dans l’action climatique. Il a insisté sur le fait que le secteur de la finance est par nature tourné vers le profit, et a prévenu qu’il n’entreprendrait pas des efforts de développement durable en l’absence de cadres réglementaires clairs. « Les marchés financiers n’entameront pas cette démarche seuls. Il faut les inciter à agir, » a–t–il déclaré. « Une fois que le secteur de la finance s’oriente sur un cap particulier et qu’un thème le motive particulièrement, il a la capacité d’accomplir des choses incroyables, mais pour y parvenir, une politique et des incitations claires sont nécessaires. »

Barrett a également évoqué le rôle des particuliers en tant qu’électeurs et consommateurs, insistant sur le fait que leurs choix peuvent influencer de manière significative les politiques et le comportement des entreprises. « Les politiques doivent faire bien mieux pour apprendre aux électeurs les objectifs qu’elles souhaitent atteindre, et la façon dont ils peuvent être atteints », a–t–il indiqué. En donnant la priorité aux pratiques durables et en tenant les décideurs politiques pour responsables, les particuliers peuvent entraîner un changement systémique.

Malgré ses critiques envers les mesures superficielles comme les critères ESG qu’il qualifie de « cases à cocher », Barrett a démontré qu’il conservait une vision optimiste quant au potentiel du secteur de la finance. « Le secteur de la finance peut se montrer incroyablement innovant », nous a–t–il confié. « Il peut déplacer des montagnes et résoudre de vrais problèmes, mais pour cela, des incitations adéquates et de conversations honnêtes sur les enjeux sont nécessaires. » Il a appelé au changement, en laissant derrière nous les cycles politiques à court terme au profit de stratégies tournées vers l’avenir, et exhorté tous les acteurs impliqués à s’engager dans les efforts à long terme nécessaires pour faire face efficacement à la crise climatique.

Pour regarder la session complète de l’épisode « Macroeconomics and Climate » (Macroéconomie et climat) du WERD, notamment discours d’ouverture et la réunion–débat, rendez–vous sur : https://youtu.be/MD5vaMjQdkc.

À propos d’EBC Financial Group
Fondé dans le prestigieux quartier financier de Londres, EBC Financial Group (« EBC ») est réputé pour sa gamme complète de services qui comprend le courtage financier, la gestion d’actifs et des solutions d’investissement globales. EBC Financial Group a rapidement établi sa position en tant que société de courtage d’envergure mondiale, avec une forte présence sur des hubs financiers majeurs tels que Londres, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Singapour, Sydney, les Îles Caïmans ainsi que sur les marchés émergents d’Amérique latine, d’Asie du Sud–Est, d’Afrique et d’Inde. EBC s’adresse à une clientèle diversifiée d’investisseurs de détail, professionnels et institutionnels aux quatre coins du monde.

Reconnu par de multiples récompenses, EBC est fier de respecter les plus hauts niveaux de normes éthiques et de réglementation internationale. Les filiales d’EBC Financial Group sont réglementées et agréées dans leurs juridictions locales. EBC Financial Group (UK) Limited est réglementé par la Financial Conduct Authority (« FCA ») du Royaume–Uni, EBC Financial Group (Cayman) Limited est réglementé par la Monetary Authority (« CIMA ») des Îles Caïmans, et EBC Financial Group (Australia) Pty Ltd et EBC Asset Management Pty Ltd sont réglementés par la Securities and Investments Commission (« ASIC ») australienne.

Au cœur d’EBC Group sont réunis des professionnels chevronnés, forts de plus de 30 ans d’expérience marquée dans des institutions financières majeures, ayant habilement traversé des cycles économiques majeurs, des accords du Plaza à la crise du franc suisse de 2015. EBC défend une culture où l’intégrité, le respect et la sécurité des actifs de ses clients priment et veille à ce que chaque engagement d’investisseur soit traité avec tout le sérieux qu’il mérite.

EBC est Partenaire officiel des marchés des changes du FC Barcelone, et propose des services spécialisés en Asie, Afrique, Amérique latine, Océanie et au Moyen–Orient. EBC est également partenaire de United to Beat Malaria, une campagne de la Fondation pour les Nations unies dont l’objectif est d’améliorer les résultats en matière de santé mondiale. Depuis février 2024, EBC accompagne la série d’engagement public « What Economists Really Do » du Département d’Économie de l’Université d’Oxford, visant à démystifier l’économie et son application aux grands défis de société afin d’améliorer la compréhension et le dialogue avec le public.

https://www.ebc.com/

À propos du Département d’Économie
Le Département d’Économie d’Oxford est un centre d’excellence mondialement reconnu, qui abrite l’une des plus grandes communautés d’économistes universitaires au monde. Réputé pour la grande portée et la diversité de ses recherches, qui influencent considérablement les politiques, le Département est également reconnu pour sa communauté dynamique de jeunes chercheurs et ses programmes de premier cycle et des cycles supérieurs très prestigieux. En 2024, le Département d’Économie a été classé premier par le journal The Guardian pour l’enseignement de premier cycle au Royaume–Uni. Ce classement reflète l’engagement continu du Département envers un enseignement et une recherche d’excellence, et renforce ainsi sa position parmi les premiers départements d’économie à travers le monde. Au–delà des réalisations pédagogiques, l’objectif du Département est d’être à la tête de recherches révolutionnaires et innovantes dans le domaine de l’économie ; d’avoir un impact durable sur la politique économique en dehors du monde universitaire ; et de développer et de former la prochaine génération de chercheurs et de leaders de la recherche.

À propos What Economists Really Do (WERD)
WERD est un programme de sensibilisation géré par le Département d’Économie de l’Université d’Oxford pour encourager l’étude de l’économie et informer sur « Ce que font réellement les économistes. » Sur des thèmes jets allant de la crise climatique à la discrimination sur le marché du travail, les économistes d’Oxford collaborent avec les gouvernements et les entreprises du monde entier afin d’améliorer les politiques et de contribuer à ce que l’économie fonctionne mieux pour chacun. Découvrez comment l’économie peut être utilisée pour mettre en lumière certains des plus grands problèmes auxquels la société est confrontée actuellement dans le cadre de cette série de webinaires publics à succès, qui revient pour sa quatrième saison en 2024 et 2025.

Interlocutrice auprès des médias :
Savitha Ravindran
Responsable des relations publiques internationales (Europe, Moyen–Orient, Afrique et Amérique latine, Amérique latine)
savitha.ravindran@ebc.com

Chyna Elvina
Responsable des relations publiques internationales (Asie–Pacifique et Amérique latine)
chyna.elvina@ebc.com

Douglas Chew
Directeur des relations publiques internationales
douglas.chew@ebc.com

Les photos jointes au présent communiqué sont disponibles aux adresses suivantes :

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Von fossilen Brennstoffen zu einer grünen Zukunft: Stellungnahme von Oxford und der EBC Financial Group über unsere Hinderungsgründe

OXFORD, Vereinigtes Königreich, Dec. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In einer Welt, die zunehmend von den beiden Krisen des Klimawandels und der wirtschaftlichen Instabilität geprägt ist, hat das Department of Economics der Oxford University in Zusammenarbeit mit der EBC Financial Group (EBC) eine wichtige Sitzung im Rahmen der Veranstaltungsreihe „What Economists Really Do?“ (Was machen Ökonomen wirklich?, kurz: WERD) durchgeführt. Die Veranstaltung brachte führende Köpfe aus der Wissenschaft und dem Finanzwesen zusammen, um umsetzbare Strategien zur Ausrichtung von Wirtschaftssystemen auf ökologische Nachhaltigkeit zu erforschen und gleichzeitig drängende gesellschaftliche Probleme anzugehen.

Die Veranstaltung mit dem Titel „Macroeconomics and Climate“ (Makroökonomie und Klima) umfasste eine Grundsatzrede von Associate Professor Andrea Chiavari und eine Podiumsdiskussion mit dem Titel „Sustaining Sustainability: Balancing Economic Growth and Climate Resilience“ (Nachhaltigkeit erhalten: Wirtschaftswachstum und Klimaresilienz ins Gleichgewicht bringen), die von Associate Professor Banu Demir Pakel moderiert wurde. Zu den Diskussionsteilnehmern gehörten Dr. Nicola Ranger, Director der Global Finance Group des Environmental Change Institute und Senior Research Fellow an der Oxford University, und David Barrett, CEO der EBC Financial Group (UK) Ltd. Gemeinsam analysierten sie die Schnittstelle zwischen Politik, Finanzen und menschlichen Auswirkungen und boten praktische Einblicke und Empfehlungen, die über den theoretischen Diskurs hinausgehen.

Von links nach rechts: Dr. Nicola Ranger (Director der Global Finance Group des Environmental Change Institute und Senior Research Fellow), Associate Professor Andrea Chiavari (Department of Economics), David Barrett (CEO der EBC Financial Group (UK) Ltd) und Associate Professor Banu Demir Pakel (Department of Economics)

EBC Financial Group: Förderung von verantwortungsvollem Handel und nachhaltiger Innovation
Die EBC Financial Group, die auf den globalen Finanzmärkten zunehmend präsent ist, bietet Kunden weltweit über ihre umfassenden Maklerlösungen Möglichkeiten für den Handel mit Devisen, Rohstoffen, Indizes u.v.m. Die an den wichtigsten Finanzzentren und aufstrebenden Märkten tätige EBC stattet Händler mit innovativen Tools aus und fördert die Zusammenarbeit, um den im Wandel begriffenen Herausforderungen der globalen Finanzwelt zu begegnen. Als offizieller Devisenpartner des FC Barcelona und Partner der Kampagne „United to Beat Malaria“ (Gemeinsam gegen Malaria) der United Nations setzt sich die EBC für eine Zukunft ein, die von Nachhaltigkeit, Gerechtigkeit und verantwortungsvollen Handelspraktiken geprägt ist.

Die Teilnahme von EBC an der WERD–Veranstaltung spiegelt die wachsende Dringlichkeit wider, eine Brücke zwischen Finanzmärkten und akademischer Forschung zu schlagen, um klimatische und wirtschaftliche Herausforderungen anzugehen. Durch die Beteiligung an einem gemeinsamen Dialog über umsetzbare Strategien hat sich die EBC einer Gemeinschaft von Vordenkern angeschlossen, die praktische Schritte zur Ausrichtung der Finanzsysteme auf die Ziele der nachhaltigen Entwicklung in den Fokus rücken.

Können wir die Wirtschaft ankurbeln und gleichzeitig den Planeten retten?
Im Mittelpunkt der Diskussionen stand die Erkenntnis, dass finanzielle und ökologische Sicherheit universell geteilte Anliegen sind. Dr. Chiavari hielt eine aufschlussreiche Grundsatzrede über die wirtschaftlichen Kosten des Klimawandels. Er veranschaulichte das dramatische Wachstum des globalen BIP seit der industriellen Revolution und stellte dieses dem ökologischen Tribut gegenüber, den der Verbrauch fossiler Brennstoffe und die steigenden CO2–Emissionen fordern. Chiavari betonte die entscheidende Bedeutung der sozialen CO2–Kosten bei der Gestaltung wirksamer politischer Maßnahmen.

Im Mittelpunkt seiner Botschaft stand das Konzept der sozialen CO2–Kosten, das die weit gefassten gesellschaftlichen Kosten von Emissionen quantifiziert. „Die Besteuerung von Kohlenstoff ist nicht nur eine ökologische Notwendigkeit, sondern auch eine wirtschaftliche“, unterstrich er. Dr. Chiavari erklärte, wie solche Maßnahmen die erforderlichen wirtschaftlichen Anreize schaffen könnten, um sowohl Unternehmen als auch Privatpersonen zu nachhaltigen Entscheidungen zu bewegen. „Denken Sie doch einfach an Ihr eigenes Leben“, fügte Chiavari hinzu. „Wenn Sie die Heizung aufdrehen, profitieren Sie wie bisher von einem wärmeren Raum. Aber jetzt sind Ihre Kosten viel höher als zuvor.“

Dr. Chiavari ging näher auf diesen Punkt ein und betonte, dass die Kohlenstoffbesteuerung darauf abzielt, die Kohlenstoffemissionen und nicht den Energieverbrauch selbst zu senken. „Die CO2–Steuer besteuert Kohlenstoff, nicht Energie“, erklärte er. „Sie schafft also enorme Anreize für den Privatsektor, für die Menschen, für Sie, für uns, für mich, von fossilen Brennstoffen auf alternative Energiequellen umzusteigen. Es geht nicht nur darum, die Energie oder Leistung zu reduzieren, sondern es werden auch enorme Anreize geschaffen, auf alternative Energiequellen umzustellen.“

Aufbauend auf dieser Grundlage befasste sich die Podiumsdiskussion unter der Leitung von Dr. Banu Demir Pakel eingehender mit den praktischen Aspekten der Ausrichtung des Wirtschaftswachstums auf Klimaresilienz.

Brücken schlagen zwischen Politik, Finanzwesen und Maßnahmen durch ein Podium mit unterschiedlichen Perspektiven
Die Podiumsdiskussion untersuchte das komplexe Zusammenspiel zwischen Wirtschaftswachstum und Klimaresilienz. Alle Diskussionsteilnehmer brachten ihr eigenes Fachwissen in die Diskussion ein und eröffneten neue Perspektiven, wie globale Systeme an diese beiden Notwendigkeiten angepasst werden können.

Dr. Chiavari betonte, dass der Klimawandel ein globales Problem sei, da Emissionen nicht an Landesgrenzen haltmachten und eine koordinierte internationale Reaktion erforderten. Er erörterte die Risiken der Verlagerung von CO2–Emissionen, bei der strenge klimapolitische Maßnahmen in einem Land dazu führen könnten, dass Emissionen in Regionen mit weniger strengen Vorschriften verlagert werden, was letztlich den globalen Fortschritt untergraben würde. Um diesen Effekt abzumildern, setzte sich Chiavari für Richtlinien ein, die internationale Zusammenarbeit und Innovation fördern und sicherstellen, dass der Übergang zu nachhaltigen Praktiken sowohl gerecht als auch umfassend abläuft.

Dr. Ranger hob die wirtschaftlichen Chancen hervor, die sich aus Klimaschutzmaßnahmen ergeben können, und erklärte: „Es geht nicht nur um Kosten, es geht um Chancen.“ Dr. Ranger erläuterte das Potenzial zur Schaffung von Arbeitsplätzen und zur Ankurbelung des Wirtschaftswachstums bei gleichzeitiger Bekämpfung von Klimarisiken und betonte außerdem, wie wichtig es sei, die öffentliche Wahrnehmung neu zu justieren. Sie betonte, dass wirksame Klimaschutzmaßnahmen Innovation und Fortschritt fördern können, ohne eine erhebliche finanzielle Belastung darzustellen. Sie setzte sich auch dafür ein, Subventionen für fossile Brennstoffe und andere umweltschädliche Subventionen, die sich weltweit auf bis zu 7 Bio. USD pro Jahr belaufen, in grüne Investitionen wie erneuerbare Energien umzuleiten.

Barrett nutzte seine umfassende Erfahrung auf den Finanzmärkten und betonte, wie wichtig es sei, Marktanreize mit Nachhaltigkeitszielen in Einklang zu bringen. Er teilte eine offene Einschätzung zu den sektoralen Herausforderungen bei der Akzeptanz von Nachhaltigkeit mit und betonte den gewinnorientierten Charakter von Finanzinstituten: „Der Finanzmarkt wird von der Notwendigkeit angetrieben, Geld zu verdienen – sei es für seine Aktionäre oder Investoren.“ Barrett betonte die dringende Notwendigkeit für Regierungen, durchsetzbare regulatorische Rahmenbedingungen zu schaffen, und wies darauf hin, dass dies unerlässlich sei, um den Einfluss des Sektors auf sinnvolle Klimaschutzmaßnahmen auszurichten.

Zum Thema der Rahmenbedingungen für Umwelt, Soziales und Verwaltung (Environmental, Social, Governance; ESG) äußerte Barrett Bedenken hinsichtlich der jeweiligen aktuellen Umsetzung und merkte an: „ESG ist zu einer reinen Pflichtübung geworden.“ Er forderte strengere Richtlinien, die die Rechenschaftspflicht gewährleisten und messbare Ergebnisse liefern, anstatt lediglich oberflächliche Compliance–Standards zu erfüllen.

Während einer Diskussion über Klima–„Clubs“ wies Barrett auf die Risiken fragmentierter globaler Maßnahmen hin. Er warnte: „Damit diese Initiativen erfolgreich sind, müssen alle wichtigen Akteure einbezogen werden. Andernfalls könnten die in einigen Regionen erzielten Emissionssenkungen durch erhöhte Emissionen an anderer Stelle wieder aufgehoben werden.“ Dies, so warnte er, könnte den kollektiven Fortschritt untergraben, der notwendig sei, um die Herausforderungen des Klimawandels zu bewältigen.

Welche praktischen Maßnahmen sollten Regierungen, Unternehmen und Privatpersonen ergreifen, um eine nachhaltige wirtschaftliche Zukunft zu schaffen, die für alle erreichbar und sicher ist?

Der Moderator und die Diskussionsteilnehmer wurden unabhängig von der Veranstaltung interviewt, um diese entscheidende Frage zu vertiefen und verschiedene Perspektiven auf die Rolle von Regierungen, Unternehmen und Privatpersonen bei der Bewältigung von Klimaherausforderungen aufzuzeigen.

Die Rolle der Regierungen: Politik und Planung
Dr. Demir Pakel betonte die Bedeutung von Bildung und Sensibilisierung bei der Bekämpfung des Klimawandels, insbesondere die Rolle der Regierungen bei der Herbeiführung eines Bewusstseinswandels. „Die Aufgabe der Regierung besteht darin, zunächst das Bewusstsein zu schärfen“, erklärte sie und betonte die Notwendigkeit einer frühzeitigen Aufklärung über die Folgen des Klimawandels. Sie betonte die Notwendigkeit von Richtlinien, die nicht nur Anreize für den Privatsektor schafften, sondern auch das Verbraucherverhalten lenkten, und bemerkte: „Es handelt sich um ein komplexes Netzwerk, in dem die Regierungen die Hauptverantwortung für die Planung und Steuerung von Maßnahmen auf allen Ebenen tragen.“

„Der Privatsektor braucht Anreize, um aktiv werden zu können, denn im Vergleich zur Regierung wird definitiv eine kurzfristigere Perspektive eingenommen. Daher muss das Verhalten des Privatsektors geändert werden. Und der Regierung fällt noch eine weitere Aufgabe zu: die Umsetzung von Richtlinien, um das Verhalten des Privatsektors wie auch der Verbraucher zu ändern“, fügte sie hinzu.

Marktanreize und CO2–Besteuerung
Dr. Chiavari betonte die Notwendigkeit staatlicher Interventionen, insbesondere durch CO2–Steuern, um Marktfehler zu korrigieren. Er erklärte, dass Regierungen durch die Einbeziehung der sozialen CO2–Kosten in die Energiepreise verantwortungsvollere Konsum– und Investitionsentscheidungen fördern können.

Das Narrativ verändern: Ein positiver Wandel
Dr. Ranger reflektierte über die aktuellen Herausforderungen im Klimaschutz und betonte von Neuem, dass ein wesentlicher Teil des Problems im Bewusstsein liege. „Im Moment läuft etwas schief, und ich denke, dass es dabei vor allem um die Bewusstseinsbildung geht“, bemerkte sie. „Regierungen spielen eine Rolle, sie verfolgen im Grunde genommen aber eine Politik, die stimmen fangen wird. Und das mangelnde Bewusstsein für die unmittelbaren Vorteile einer Umstellung auf grüne Energie – für die Energiesicherheit und öffentliche Gesundheit – ist derzeit ein zentrales Problem.“

Ranger kritisierte, dass das Narrativ des Klimawandels in den letzten Jahren gescheitert wäre, da dieser als kostspielige und belastende Herausforderung dargestellt worden sei. „Das Narrativ lautet insbesondere, dass die Bewältigung dieser Angelegenheit viel Geld kosten wird. Ich stimme dieser Ansicht nicht zu und die Beweise sprechen dagegen. Wir stehen vor schwierigen Entscheidungen, aber wir wissen, dass die Art und Weise, wie wir derzeit an die Sache herangehen, die Lage nur noch verschlimmert – insbesondere die ungewisse Regierungspolitik bremst die Investitionen und erhöht die Kosten. Alle Fakten deuten darauf hin, dass ein gerechter Übergang sowohl die geringsten Kosten verursacht als auch mehr Nutzen bringt, wenn wir die richtigen politischem Maßnahmen umsetzen und den Investoren einen klaren Weg aufzeigen“, sagte sie.

Sie wies auf Subventionen für fossile Brennstoffe hin und betonte, wie deren Umlenkung einen positiven Wandel beschleunigen könnte. „Wir pumpen weltweit so viel Geld in Subventionen für fossile Brennstoffe – die Schätzungen reichen von fünf bis sieben Billionen Dollar pro Jahr. Wenn man das stoppen und in saubere Technologien investieren würde, hätten wir das Problem gelöst.“

Um dieses Problem anzugehen, forderte Ranger eine Neuausrichtung des öffentlichen Diskurses, um die wirtschaftlichen Chancen hervorzuheben, die mit Klimaschutzmaßnahmen verbunden sind. Sie betonte die Rolle von Akademikern und Experten bei der Schaffung eines neuen Narrativs, und sagte: „Wir müssen dafür sorgen, dass die Menschen verstehen, dass dies ein positiver Wandel ist. Durch eine gute Regierungspolitik werden die individuellen Auswirkungen unerheblich sein und würden sogar das Beschäftigungswachstum und die Innovation fördern.“

Ranger schloss mit der Aufforderung an die Regierungen, bei der Änderung dieses Narrativs voranzugehen, und erklärte: „Was ich mir wirklich wünschen würde, ist, dass sich die Regierungen dem Thema annehmen und erklären, was die Folgen sind. Was die individuellen Vorteile des Klimaschutzes sind. Welcher Weg zu gehen ist. Das ist es, was sowohl Investoren als auch die Öffentlichkeit brauchen.“

Die Rolle von Unternehmen und Privatpersonen: Verantwortung und Innovation
Barrett gab einen ehrlichen Einblick in die Rolle von Unternehmen und Privatpersonen beim Klimaschutz. Er betonte die Gewinnorientierung des Finanzsektors und warnte davor, dass dieser ohne klare regulatorische Rahmenbedingungen keine Nachhaltigkeitsbemühungen herbeiführen würde. „Die Finanzmärkte werden das nicht von alleine tun. Sie benötigen Handlungsanreize“, erklärte er. „Wenn der Finanzsektor erst einmal in eine Richtung gelenkt wurde und sich für ein Thema begeistert, kann er Unglaubliches erreichen, aber es bedarf klarer Richtlinien und Anreize, um dieses Ziel zu erreichen.“

Barrett reflektierte zudem über die Rolle des Einzelnen als Wähler und Verbraucher und betonte, dass individuelle Entscheidungen erheblichen Einfluss auf die Politik und das Verhalten von Unternehmen ausüben könnten. „Die Politik muss die Wähler viel besser darüber aufklären, welches Ziel erreicht werden soll und welche Maßnahmen diesbezüglich zu erwarten sind“, bemerkte er. Privatpersonen können einen systemischen Wandel vorantreiben, wenn sie nachhaltige Praktiken priorisieren und die politischen Entscheidungsträger in die Verantwortung nehmen.

Barrett kritisierte zwar oberflächliche Maßnahmen wie Pro–forma–ESG–Rahmenbedingungen, blieb aber optimistisch, was das zukünftige Potenzial des Finanzwesens angeht. „Das Finanzwesen hat eine unglaubliche Innovationskraft“, bemerkte er. „Es kann Berge versetzen und echte Probleme lösen, doch es bedarf der richtigen Anreize und ehrlicher Gespräche darüber, was auf dem Spiel steht.“ Er forderte eine Abkehr von kurzfristigen politischen Zyklen und eine Hinwendung zu zukunftsorientierten Strategien und appellierte an alle Beteiligten, sich den langfristigen Maßnahmen anzunehmen, die für eine wirksame Bekämpfung der Klimakrise erforderlich sind.

Die vollständige Sitzung der WERD–Ausgabe „Macroeconomics and Climate“ (Makroökonomie und Klima) einschließlich der Grundsatzrede und der Podiumsdiskussion können Sie sich unter https://youtu.be/MD5vaMjQdkc anschauen.

Über die EBC Financial Group
Die EBC Financial Group (EBC) wurde im renommierten Londoner Finanzdistrikt gegründet und ist für ihr umfassendes Dienstleistungsangebot bekannt, das Finanzmaklergeschäfte, Vermögensverwaltung und umfassende Investitionslösungen umfasst. EBC hat sich in kurzer Zeit einen Namen als globales Maklerunternehmen gemacht und ist an wichtigen Finanzzentren wie London, Hongkong, Tokio, Singapur, Sydney, den Cayman Islands und in Schwellenmärkten in Lateinamerika, Südostasien, Afrika und Indien stark vertreten. Die EBC bedient eine vielfältige Klientel, die aus Kleininvestoren, professionellen Investoren und institutionellen Investoren aus aller Welt besteht.

Die EBC wurde mehrfach ausgezeichnet und rühmt sich der Einhaltung der höchsten ethischen Standards und internationalen Vorschriften. Die Tochtergesellschaften der EBC Financial Group sind in ihren jeweiligen lokalen Rechtsprechungen reguliert und lizenziert. Die EBC Financial Group (UK) Limited wird von der britischen Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) reguliert, die EBC Financial Group (Cayman) Limited wird von der Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA) reguliert, die EBC Financial Group (Australia) Pty Ltd und die EBC Asset Management Pty Ltd werden von der australischen Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) reguliert.

Den Kern der EBC Group bilden erfahrene Fachleute mit mehr als 30 Jahren fundierter Erfahrung in großen Finanzinstituten, die geschickt durch bedeutende Wirtschaftszyklen navigiert sind, vom Plaza Accord bis zur Schweizer Frankenkrise 2015. Die EBC setzt sich für eine Kultur ein, in der Integrität, Respekt und die Sicherheit des Kundenvermögens an erster Stelle stehen, und stellt sicher, dass jedes Engagement eines Anlegers mit der größten Ernsthaftigkeit behandelt wird, die es verdient.

Die EBC ist der offizielle Devisenpartner des FC Barcelona und bietet spezialisierte Dienstleistungen in Regionen wie Asien, LATAM, dem Nahen Osten, Afrika und Ozeanien. Die EBC ist auch Partner von United to Beat Malaria, einer Kampagne der United Nations Foundation zur Verbesserung der globalen Gesundheitslage. Ab Februar 2024 unterstützt die EBC die Reihe „What Economists Really Do“ (Was Ökonomen wirklich tun) des Department of Economics der Oxford University, in der die Wirtschaftswissenschaften entmystifiziert und auf wichtige gesellschaftliche Herausforderungen angewandt werden, um das öffentliche Verständnis und den Dialog zu verbessern.

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Über das Department of Economics
Das Oxford Department of Economics ist ein weltweit anerkanntes Kompetenzzentrum, das eine der größten wirtschaftswissenschaftlichen Gemeinschaften der Welt beherbergt. Der Fachbereich ist für seine profunde und vielfältige Forschung bekannt, die maßgeblichen Einfluss auf die Politik hat, und wird zudem für seine dynamische Gemeinschaft von Nachwuchswissenschaftlern und seine hoch angesehenen Bachelor– und Masterstudiengänge gefeiert. Im Jahr 2024 wurde das Department of Economics vom The Guardian zur besten Lehranstalt im Vereinigten Königreich für das Grundstudium gekürt. Dieser Rang spiegelt das kontinuierliche Engagement des Fachbereichs für Exzellenz in Lehre und Forschung wider und untermauert seine Position als eine der führenden Wirtschaftsfakultäten der Welt. Über die Erfolge in der Lehre hinaus ist es das Ziel des Fachbereichs, transformative und innovative Wirtschaftsforschung zu betreiben, einen nachhaltigen Beitrag für die Wirtschaftspolitik außerhalb der akademischen Welt zu leisten und die nächste Generation von Forschern und Forschungsleitern auszubilden.

Über What Economists Really Do (WERD)
WERD ist ein Aufklärungsprogramm des Department of Economics der Oxford University, das für das Studium der Wirtschaftswissenschaften begeistern und „What Economists Really Do“ verbreiten soll. Wirtschaftswissenschaftler aus Oxford arbeiten mit Regierungen und Unternehmen auf der ganzen Welt an Themen zusammen, die von der Klimakrise bis hin zu Diskriminierung auf dem Arbeitsmarkt reichen, um die Politik zu verbessern und eine bessere Wirtschaft für das Gemeinwohl zu ermöglichen. In dieser erfolgreichen öffentlichen Webinar–Reihe, die 2024–25 zum vierten Mal stattfindet, erfahren Sie, wie einige der größten gesellschaftlichen Probleme der Gegenwart wirtschaftswissenschaftlich beleuchtet werden.

Medienkontakt:
Savitha Ravindran
Global Public Relations Manager (EMEA, LATAM)
savitha.ravindran@ebc.com

Chyna Elvina
Global Public Relations Manager (APAC, LATAM)
chyna.elvina@ebc.com

Douglas Chew
Global Public Relations Lead
douglas.chew@ebc.com

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De Combustíveis Fósseis a Futuros Verdes: Oxford e EBC Financial Group Falam Sobre o Que Está Nos Segurando

OXFORD, Reino Unido, Dec. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Em um mundo cada vez mais moldado pela dupla crise das mudanças climáticas e da instabilidade econômica, o Oxford Department of Economics, em colaboração com o EBC Financial Group (EBC), organizou uma importante sessão da série “What Economists Really Do?” (WERD). O evento reuniu as principais mentes da academia e das finanças para explorar estratégias acionáveis para alinhar os sistemas econômicos com a sustentabilidade ambiental e, ao mesmo tempo, abordar as preocupações sociais urgentes.

O evento, intitulado “Macroeconomics and Climate” (Macroeconomia e Clima), contou com uma palestra da Professora Associada Andrea Chiavari e um painel de discussão intitulado “Sustaining Sustainability: Balancing Economic Growth and Climate Resilience” (Sustentando a Sustentabilidade: Equilíbrio Entre o Crescimento Econômico e a Resiliência Climática), moderada pela Professora Associada Banu Demir Pakel. Os membros do painel incluíram a Dra. Nicola Ranger, Diretora do Global Finance Group of the Environmental Change Institute e Pesquisadora Sênior de Oxford, e David Barrett, CEO do EBC Financial Group (UK) Ltd. Juntos, eles dissecaram a interseção entre política, finanças e impacto humano, oferecendo insights e recomendações práticas que vão além do discurso teórico.

Da esquerda para a direita: Dra. Nicola Ranger (Diretora do Global Finance Group of the Environmental Change Institute e Pesquisadora Sênior), Professor Associado Andrea Chiavari (Department of Economics), David Barrett (CEO do EBC Financial Group (UK) Ltd), e Professora Associada Banu Demir Pakel (Department of Economics)

Sobre o EBC Financial Group: Capacitação do Comércio Responsável e da Inovação Sustentável
O EBC Financial Group, uma presença crescente nos mercados financeiros globais, conecta clientes em todo o mundo a oportunidades de negociação em forex, commodities, índices e muito mais com suas soluções abrangentes de corretagem. Operando nos principais centros financeiros e mercados emergentes, o EBC equipa os traders com ferramentas inovadoras e promove a colaboração para que possam enfrentar os desafios em evolução das finanças globais. Como Parceiro Oficial de Câmbio do FC Barcelona e parceiro da campanha Unidos para Combater a Malária das Nações Unidas, o EBC está empenhado em moldar um futuro definido pela sustentabilidade, equidade e práticas comerciais responsáveis.

A participação do EBC no WERD reflete a crescente urgência da união dos mercados financeiros e a pesquisa acadêmica para o enfrentamento dos desafios climáticos e econômicos. Ao contribuir para um diálogo compartilhado sobre estratégias acionáveis, o EBC juntou–se a uma comunidade de líderes de pensamento para destacar passos práticos para o alinhamento dos sistemas financeiros com os objetivos de desenvolvimento sustentável.

Podemos Aumentar a Economia e Salvar o Planeta?

As discussões foram focadas no reconhecimento de que a segurança financeira e ambiental são preocupações universalmente compartilhadas. O Dr. Chiavari fez uma palestra reveladora sobre os custos econômicos das mudanças climáticas. Ele ilustrou o crescimento dramático do PIB global desde a revolução industrial, justapondo isso com o impacto ambiental do consumo de combustíveis fósseis e o aumento das emissões de CO2. Chiavari destacou a importância crítica do custo social do carbono na formulação de políticas eficazes.

O ponto central da sua mensagem foi o conceito do custo social do carbono, que quantifica os custos sociais mais amplos das emissões. “Além de ser uma necessidade ambiental, a tributação do carbono também é uma necessidade econômica”, disse ele. O Dr. Chiavari explicou como tais medidas podem criar os incentivos econômicos necessários para orientar corporações e indivíduos em direção a escolhas sustentáveis. “Bem, pense novamente”, acrescentou Chiavari. “O uso do aquecimento tem o mesmo benefício de antes – aquecer um ambiente. Mas agora seu custo é muito maior.”

Expandindo este ponto, o Dr. Chiavari enfatizou que a tributação do carbono está voltada para as emissões de carbono e não para o consumo de energia. “A tributação do carbono tributa o carbono, não tributa a energia”, explicou ele. “E isso cria enormes incentivos para o setor privado, para as pessoas, para você, para nós, para mim, passar dos combustíveis fósseis para fontes alternativas de energia. Não se trata apenas de reduzir a energia ou a sua produção; cria enormes incentivos para a mudança para fontes alternativas de energia.”

Com base nisso, o painel de discussão detalhou os aspectos práticos do alinhamento do crescimento econômico com a resiliência climática, moderado pela Dra. Banu Demir Pakel.

Conexão da Política, Finanças e Ação em um Painel de Perspectivas

O painel de discussão explorou a complexa interação entre p crescimento econômico e a resiliência climática. Cada painelista contribuiu com conhecimentos distintos para a conversa, oferecendo novas perspectivas sobre como os sistemas globais podem se adaptar a esses dois pontos essenciais.

O Dr. Chiavari enfatizou a natureza global do combate às mudanças climáticas, destacando que as emissões transcendem as fronteiras e exigem uma resposta internacional coordenada. Ele falou sobre os riscos de vazamento de carbono, onde políticas climáticas rigorosas em um país podem levar ao deslocamento de emissões para regiões com regulamentações mais fracas, prejudicando o progresso global. Para mitigar isso, Chiavari defendeu políticas que promovam a colaboração e a inovação internacionais, garantindo que as transições para práticas sustentáveis sejam equitativas e abrangentes.

A Dra. Ranger destacou as oportunidades econômicas que podem surgir da ação climática, afirmando: “Não se trata apenas de custos, mas também de oportunidades”. Articulando o potencial da criação de empregos e estímulo ao crescimento econômico, e abordagem dos riscos climáticos, a Dra. Ranger também enfatizou a importância da reformulação das narrativas públicas. Ela ressaltou que uma ação climática eficaz pode promover a inovação e o progresso sem impor um ônus financeiro significativo. Ela também defende o redirecionamento de combustíveis fósseis e outros subsídios prejudiciais ao meio ambiente, que globalmente chegam a US $ 7 trilhões ao ano, para investimentos verdes, como energia renovável.

Aproveitando sua vasta experiência nos mercados financeiros, Barrett enfatizou a importância de alinhar os incentivos de mercado com as metas de sustentabilidade. Ele compartilhou uma avaliação franca dos desafios do setor na adoção da sustentabilidade, ressaltando a natureza lucrativa das instituições financeiras: “O mercado financeiro é impulsionado pela necessidade de ganhar dinheiro – seja para seus acionistas ou para os investidores.” Barrett destacou a necessidade crítica de os governos criarem estruturas regulatórias aplicáveis, observando que esse alinhamento é essencial para canalizar a influência do setor para ações climáticas significativas.

Sobre o tema das estruturas Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG – Ambientais, Sociais e de Governança), Barrett expressou preocupação com sua implementação atual, observando que “a ESG simplesmente se tornou uma burocracia”. Ele pediu políticas mais fortes que garantam a prestação de contas e proporcionem um impacto mensurável, em vez de simplesmente atender aos padrões de conformidade superficiais.

Durante uma discussão sobre “clubes” climáticos, Barrett destacou os riscos de esforços globais fragmentados. Ele advertiu: “Para que essas iniciativas tenham sucesso, elas precisam incluir todos os principais participantes. Caso contrário, as reduções de emissões alcançadas em algumas regiões poderiam ser canceladas pelo aumento das emissões em outros lugares.” Isso, ele alertou, poderia minar o progresso coletivo necessário para o enfrentamento dos desafios climáticos.

Que Medidas Práticas os Governos, Empresas e Indivíduos Devem Adotar para a Criação de um Futuro Econômico Sustentável que Seja Alcançável e Seguro Para Todos?

Separadamente, o moderador e os painelistas foram entrevistados quanto a essa questão crucial, e apresentaram diversas perspectivas sobre os papéis colaboradores de governos, empresas e indivíduos na abordagem dos desafios climáticos.

O Papel dos Governos: Políticas e Planejamento

A Dra. Demir Pakel enfatizou a importância da educação e da conscientização no combate às mudanças climáticas, particularmente sobre o papel dos governos na condução das mudanças. “O papel do governos é começar com uma maior conscientização”, explicou ela, enfatizando a necessidade da divulgação das consequências das mudanças climáticas. Ela destacou a necessidade de políticas que não apenas incentivem o setor privado, mas também orientem o comportamento do consumidor, observando: “É uma rede complexa onde os governos têm a responsabilidade primária de planejar e orientar ações em todos os níveis”.

“O setor privado precisa de incentivos para poder agir, porque eles definitivamente parecerão de curto prazo em comparação com os governos. Portanto, seu comportamento precisa ser mudado, e os governos têm outro papel: implementar políticas para mudar o comportamento do setor privado e dos consumidores ”, ela acrescentou.

Incentivos de Mercado e Tributação do Carbono

O Dr. Chiavari reforçou a necessidade de intervenções lideradas pelos governos, particularmente por meio da tributação do carbono, como meio de corrigir as falhas do mercado. Ele explicou que, ao incorporar o custo social das emissões nos preços da energia, os governos podem incentivar decisões de consumo e investimento mais responsáveis.

Mudança da Narrativa: Uma Transição Positiva

A Dra. Ranger refletiu sobre os desafios atuais da ação climática, ressaltando que uma parte significativa do problema está na conscientização. “Algo está errado e acho que o grande problema é a conscientização”, observou ela. “Os governos desempenham um papel, mas eles fundamentalmente fazem o que o público vai aprovar por meio dos votos. E a falta de conscientização dos benefícios imediatos de uma transição para uma energia verde – para a segurança energética e a saúde pública – é um problema fundamental no momento.”

A Dra. Ranger criticou a narrativa em torno das mudanças climáticas que falhou nos últimos anos, por ser um desafio caro e pesado. “Particularmente, a narrativa é que vai ser muito caro. Não concordo com essa visão e isso não é apoiado pelas evidências. Temos que tomar decisões difíceis, mas a maneira como isso está sendo feito está dificultando muito todo o processo – especificamente, a falta de certeza dos governos sobre suas políticas impede o investimento e aumenta os custos. Todas as evidências mostram que, a implementação de políticas certas e o estabelecimento de um caminho claro para os investidores, uma transição justa seria o caminho de menor custo e mais benéfico ”, disse ela.

Apontando para os subsídios aos combustíveis fósseis, ela destacou como seu redirecionamento poderia catalisar uma transição positiva. “Injetamos muito dinheiro em subsídios aos combustíveis fósseis em todo o mundo – as estimativas variam de cinco a sete trilhões de dólares ao ano. Se ao invés disso o dinheiro tivesse sido aplicado em tecnologias limpas, teríamos resolvido o problema.”

Para resolver isso, a Dra. Ranger pediu uma mudança no discurso público, enfatizando as oportunidades econômicas inerentes à ação climática. Ela enfatizou o papel dos acadêmicos e especialistas na reformulação da narrativa, dizendo: “Precisamos que as pessoas entendam que essa transição é positiva. Um boa política governamental não afetaria substancialmente as pessoas e, na verdade, impulsionaria o crescimento do emprego e da inovação.”

A Dra. Ranger concluiu pedindo aos governos que assumam a liderança na mudança dessa narrativa, dizendo: “O que eu realmente gostaria de ver é o apoio dos governos, dizendo: ‘Isso é o que vai acontecer. Vai ajudar vocês. Aqui está o caminho. É disso que os investidores e o público precisam.’”

O Papel das Empresas e dos Indivíduos: Responsabilidade e Inovação

Barrett forneceu uma perspectiva franca sobre o papel das empresas e dos indivíduos na ação climática. Ele destacou a natureza lucrativa do setor financeiro, alertando que sem estruturas regulatórias claras a sustentabilidade não será uma prioridade. “Os mercados financeiros não farão isso sozinhos. Eles precisam ser incentivados a agir”, disse. “Quando o setor financeiro é direcionado e se entusiasma com um tópico, ele pode realizar coisas incríveis. Mas isso requer políticas e incentivos claros.”

Barrett também refletiu sobre o papel dos indivíduos como eleitores e consumidores, enfatizando que suas escolhas podem influenciar significativamente a política e o comportamento corporativo. “A política precisa ser muito melhor em educar o eleitor sobre o que ele quer e como deve esperar que isso aconteça”, observou ele. Ao priorizar práticas sustentáveis e responsabilizar os formuladores de políticas, os indivíduos podem impulsionar mudanças sistêmicas.

Embora critique medidas superficiais, como as estruturas ESG “burocráticas”, Barrett manteve uma perspectiva otimista sobre o potencial do setor financeiro. “O setor financeiro pode ser incrivelmente inovador”, observou ele. “Ele pode mover montanhas e resolver problemas reais, mas precisa dos incentivos certos e de conversas honestas sobre o que está em jogo.” Ele pediu uma mudança de ciclos políticos de curto prazo para estratégias voltadas para o futuro, exortando todas as partes interessadas a abraçar o esforço de longo prazo necessário para enfrentar a crise climática de forma eficaz.

Para assistir à sessão completa do episódio “Macroeconomics and Climate” da WERD, incluindo a palestra e o painel de discussão, visite https://youtu.be/MD5vaMjQdkc.

Sobre o EBC Financial Group

Fundado no conceituado distrito financeiro de Londres, o EBC Financial Group (EBC) é conhecido pelo seu conjunto abrangente de serviços que incluem corretagem financeira, gestão de ativos e soluções de investimento abrangentes. O EBC rapidamente estabeleceu sua posição como uma corretora global, com uma ampla presença em centros financeiros importantes, como Londres, Hong Kong, Tóquio, Singapura, Sydney, Ilhas Cayman e em mercados emergentes na América Latina, Sudeste Asiático, África e Índia. O EBC atende a uma clientela diversificada de investidores de varejo, profissionais e institucionais em todo o mundo.

Reconhecido com várias premiações, o EBC se orgulha de aderir aos principais níveis de padrões éticos e regulamentações internacionais. As subsidiárias do EBC Financial Group são regulamentadas e licenciadas em suas jurisdições locais. O EBC Financial Group (UK) Limited é regulado pela Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) do Reino Unido, o EBC Financial Group (Cayman) Limited é regulado pela Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA), o EBC Financial Group (Australia) Pty Ltd e o EBC Asset Management Pty Ltd são regulados pela Australia’s Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).

No centro do Grupo EBC estão profissionais experientes com mais de 30 anos de profunda experiência em grandes instituições financeiras, tendo navegado habilmente por ciclos econômicos significativos, desde o Plaza Accord até a crise do franco suíço em 2015. O EBC defende uma cultura na qual a integridade, o respeito e a segurança dos ativos dos clientes são fundamentais, garantindo que todo o envolvimento dos investidores seja tratado com a máxima seriedade que merece.

O EBC é o Parceiro Oficial de Câmbio do FC Barcelona, oferecendo serviços especializados em regiões como Ásia, LATAM, Oriente Médio, África e Oceania. O EBC Financial Group tem parceria com a Unidos para Combater a Malária, uma campanha da Fundação das Nações Unidas que visa aumentar a saúde global. A partir de fevereiro de 2024 a EBC passou a apoiar a série de engajamentos públicos “What Economists Really Do” (O que os economistas realmente fazem) do Department of Economics da Oxford University, desmistificando a economia e sua aplicação aos principais desafios sociais para aumentar a sua compreensão e o diálogo do público.

https://www.ebc.com/

Sobre o Department of Economics

O Oxford Department of Economics é um centro de excelência reconhecido mundialmente, que abriga uma das maiores comunidades de economistas acadêmicos do mundo. Conhecido pela profundidade e diversidade das suas pesquisas que influenciam significativamente a política, o Departamento também é conhecido por sua comunidade dinâmica de acadêmicos em início de carreira e seus programas de graduação e pós–graduação altamente conceituados. Em 2024, o Oxford Department of Economics foi classificado em primeiro lugar no Reino Unido pelo The Guardian pelo seu ensino de graduação. O ranking reflete o compromisso contínuo do Departamento com a excelência em ensino e pesquisa, solidificando sua posição como um dos principais departamentos de Economia do mundo. Além das conquistas no ensino, o objetivo do Departamento é produzir pesquisas econômicas transformadoras e inovadoras; ter um impacto sustentado na política econômica fora da academia; e desenvolver e treinar a próxima geração de pesquisadores e líderes de pesquisas.

Sobre o What Economists Really Do (WERD)

WERD é um programa de extensão do Department of Economics, Oxford University para inspirar o estudo da economia e compartilhar 'What Economists Really Do'. Com tópicos que vão desde a crise climática até a discriminação no mercado de trabalho, os economistas de Oxford estão trabalhando com governos e empresas em todo o mundo para melhorar as políticas e fazer com que a economia funcione melhor para todos. Descubra como a economia pode ser usada para esclarecer alguns dos maiores problemas que a sociedade enfrenta hoje nesta série de webinars públicos de sucesso, retornando para a quarta série de sucesso em 2024–25.

Contato com a Mídia:
Savitha Ravindran
Gerente Global de Relações Públicas (EMEA, LATAM)
savitha.ravindran@ebc.com

Chyna Elvina
Gerente Global de Relações Públicas (APAC, LATAM)
chyna.elvina@ebc.com

Douglas Chew
Líder Global de Relações Públicas
douglas.chew@ebc.com

Fotos deste comunicado podem ser encontradas em:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a577ed99–ad63–417e–9fad–3d322fe6e0db/pt

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1de6469e–f2e7–494a–adc8–d9b6118dfdb3/pt

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a0fdb8f6–1eff–4c5b–b1e5–e18411f62ee0/pt

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GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 9316026)

Namib Minerals and Hennessy Capital Investment Corp. VI Announce Filing of Registration Statement in Connection with their Proposed Business Combination and Namib Minerals’ Planned Nasdaq Listing

  • Namib Minerals and co–registrant Greenstone Corporation (“Greenstone”) filed a registration statement on Form F–4 (the “Registration Statement”) with the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), a critical step in advancing their previously announced proposed business combination with Hennessy Capital Investment Corp. VI (Nasdaq: HCVI) (“HCVI” or “Hennessy Capital”), and planned Nasdaq listing of Namib Minerals’ ordinary shares under the ticker “NAMM.”
  • The proposed business combination values Namib Minerals at a pre–money enterprise value of $500 million with up to an additional 30 million of contingent ordinary shares tied to the completion of operational milestones.(1)
  • Transaction proceeds are intended to be used to accelerate Namib Minerals’ growth plans for Greenstone’s assets, including the restart of two gold mines in Zimbabwe and expansion into prospective battery metal assets, including copper and cobalt, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (the “DRC”).
  • How mine, a high–grade cash–generating gold asset currently owned by Greenstone, supports low–cost production, while restart efforts at the Mazowe and Redwing mines aim to establish Namib Minerals as a multi–asset producer in Africa.

NEW YORK, Dec. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Namib Minerals, which would become a public company upon consummation of the proposed business combination, Greenstone, an affiliate of Namib Minerals and an established African gold producer with an attractive portfolio of mining assets in Zimbabwe, and HCVI, a Nasdaq listed special purpose acquisition company, today announced the filing of the Registration Statement with the SEC on Friday, December 6, 2024. This filing represents a key milestone in connection with their previously announced proposed business combination, which is expected to result in Namib Minerals listing its ordinary shares and warrants on Nasdaq under the ticker symbols “NAMM” and “NAMMW,” respectively, subject to approval of its listing application. While the Registration Statement has not yet become effective and the information contained therein is subject to change, it provides important information about Namib Minerals, Greenstone, HCVI, and the proposed business combination.

Upon completion of the transaction, Namib Minerals will own Greenstone’s mining and exploration assets and plans to accelerate its growth strategy and build out its portfolio of mining assets. Located strategically in the Bulawayo Greenstone Belt of Southern Zimbabwe, Greenstone’s cash flow generating How mine has produced over 1.8Moz of gold between 1941 and 2023. Restart efforts at the Mazowe and Redwing mines, historically producing gold mines currently on care and maintenance, aim to diversify Namib Minerals’ production scale upon the mines’ recommencement. The Mazowe and Redwing mines have total measured and indicated resource estimates of 291koz at 7.77 g/t Au and 1,188koz at 3.83 g/t Au, respectively, and inferred resource estimates of 915koz at 8.65 g/t Au and 1,328koz at 2.61 g/t Au, respectively, based on technical report summaries for each mine prepared in compliance with Subpart 1300 of Regulation S–K promulgated by the SEC (“S–K 1300”). Greenstone also currently holds interests in 13 battery metals exploration permits in the DRC, including six initial diamond drilling holes that show potential for copper and cobalt. Located in the resource–rich Haut Katanga and Lualaba Provinces, these assets position Namib Minerals to capitalize on the rising global demand for battery metals.

Greenstone Snapshot:

  • Established, well–known African gold producer – Produced ~589koz from 2012 to 2023(2)
  • Operating in Zimbabwe since 2002 – Greenstone brings a proven management team with operational and developmental success
  • Producing positive cash flow – 1H 2024 Revenue: $42M(3) / 2023 Revenue: $65M(4); 1H 2024 Profit: $9.2M(3) / 2023 Profit: $3.6M(4); 1H 2024 Adj. EBITDA: $17M(5) / 2023 Adj. EBITDA: $20M(5)
  • One production stage asset, two exploration stage assets – As of December 31, 2023, total measured and indicated mineral resources: 1.6Moz at 3.92 g/t Au(6); total inferred mineral resources: 2.4Moz(6)
  • Well–positioned to unlock shareholder value as a multi–asset producer in Africa – Preparation works and feasibility studies underway at the Mazowe and Redwing mines
  • Certified to ISO Standards(7) – 0.86 lost time injury frequency rate in 2023(8)

“As Namib Minerals takes this significant step toward becoming a publicly traded company, we remain dedicated to our mission of creating safe, sustainable, and profitable mining operations,” said Ibrahima Tall, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Namib Minerals. “This transaction positions us to advance our strategy, from restarting the Mazowe and Redwing gold mines to expanding our focus on copper and cobalt potential in the DRC. We are excited about the opportunities this partnership creates to deliver long–term value to our stakeholders while contributing responsibly to the communities where we operate.”

“Filing the Registration Statement marks an important milestone in the proposed Namib–Hennessy Capital business combination,” said Daniel Hennessy, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Hennessy Capital. “We are proud to support Namib Minerals as it continues to build a leading Pan–African platform for precious and critical metals production. Namib Minerals stood out as a compelling partner due to its history of mining in precious metals, opportunities for future expansion and its mission to create safe, sustainable and profitable operations in the communities it serves. With its strong portfolio of assets and clear growth strategy, Namib Minerals is well–positioned to capitalize on increasing global demand for these essential resources.”

Proposed Transaction Highlights

The proposed business combination implies a pro forma combined enterprise value of Namib Minerals at approximately $602 million, excluding additional earnout consideration, assuming no further redemptions of HCVI’s public shares and $60 million in targeted PIPE funding to be obtained prior to the closing of the transaction. The boards of directors of HCVI, Greenstone, and Namib Minerals have approved the proposed transaction, which is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2025, subject to, among other things, the approvals by stockholders of HCVI and Greenstone and satisfaction or waiver of the other conditions set forth in the business combination agreement, dated June 17, 2024 (as amended on December 6, 2024, the “Business Combination Agreement”). At closing of the proposed business combination, Greenstone’s existing shareholders will exchange their equity in Greenstone for approximately 74% of the equity of Namib Minerals.

Net proceeds from the transaction are expected to enable Namib Minerals to invest further into the How mine, while also contributing to the restart of production at the Mazowe and Redwing mines, each in Zimbabwe, and to help fund the expansion of operations into the DRC.

Additional information about the proposed business combination, including a copy of the Business Combination Agreement, is available on the Current Report on Form 8–K, dated June 17, 2024, filed by HCVI with the SEC on June 18, 2024 and available at www.sec.gov.

References:

(1)   Pre–money equity value of $500 million excludes additional 30 million of contingent ordinary shares ($300M value) to be issued by Namib Minerals to current Greenstone shareholders upon the completion of operational milestones.
(2)   Internal historical production numbers aligning with the How Mine S–K 1300 Technical Report Summary, December 2024; Mazowe Mine S–K 1300 Technical Report Summary, December 2024; Redwing Mine S–K 1300 Technical Report Summary, December 2024.
(3)   Unaudited interim financial statements and notes of Greenstone as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2024.
(4)   Audited financial statements and notes of Greenstone as of and for the year ended December 31, 2023.
(5)   Adjusted EBITDA is a non–International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) measure, which should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for IFRS measures. See “Use of Non–IFRS Financial Measures” below for more information.
(6)   How Mine S–K 1300 Technical Report Summary, December 2024, exclusive of Mineral Reserves; Mazowe Mine S–K 1300 Technical Report Summary, December 2024; Redwing Mine S–K 1300 Technical Report Summary, December 2024.
(7)   Unaudited Greenstone 2023 Annual Report, Recertification achieved on all three international standards–based management systems; ISO 14001 of 2015: Environmental Management Systems (EMS), ISO 9001 of 2015: Quality Management Systems (QMS) and ISO 45001 of 2018: Occupational Safety and Health Management Systems (OHSMS).
(8)   How Mine internal management safety reporting.
     

Advisors

Cohen & Company Capital Markets is serving as exclusive financial advisor and lead capital markets advisor to Greenstone and Namib Minerals, while Jett Capital Advisors LLC is serving as financial advisor to HCVI. Greenberg Traurig, LLP is serving as U.S. legal counsel to Greenstone and Namib Minerals, Sidley Austin LLP is serving as legal counsel to HCVI, and Appleby (Cayman) Ltd. is serving as Cayman Islands legal counsel to Greenstone and Namib. BDO South Africa Inc. is serving as auditor to Greenstone and Namib Minerals, and Alliance Advisors Investor Relations is serving as investor relations advisor for the transaction.

About Greenstone Corporation and Namib Minerals

Greenstone is a gold producer, developer and explorer with operations focused in Zimbabwe. Greenstone is a significant player in Zimbabwe’s mining industry, driving sustainable growth and innovation across the sector. Currently Greenstone operates an underground mine in Zimbabwe, with additional exploration assets in Zimbabwe and the DRC. Greenstone operates using conventional mining as well as modern processes and is seeking alternative areas of growth. Upon the closing of the proposed business transaction, Namib Minerals will hold all of Greenstone’s assets.

For additional information, please visit namibminerals.com

About Hennessy Capital Investment Corp. VI

Hennessy Capital Investment Corp. VI is a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) listed on the Nasdaq Global Market (NASDAQ: HCVI). HCVI was formed by Daniel J. Hennessy for the purpose of acquiring, and introducing to the public markets, a strong and competitive company operating in the industrial sector.

For additional information, please visit hennessycapitalgroup.com

Forward Looking Statements

All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, including statements regarding HCVI’s, Greenstone’s, or Namib Minerals’ future financial position, results of operations, business strategy, and plans and objectives of their respective management teams for future operations, are forward–looking statements. Any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are also forward–looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward–looking statements by words such as “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “intend,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “seek,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “may,” “target,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” “preliminary,” or similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward–looking. Forward–looking statements include, without limitation, HCVI’s, Greenstone’s, or their respective management teams’ expectations concerning the outlook for their or Namib Minerals’ business, productivity, plans, and goals for future operational improvements and capital investments, operational performance, future market conditions, or economic performance and developments in the capital and credit markets and expected future financial performance, including the restart of the Mazowe mine and the Redwing mine and related expansion plans, capital expenditure plans and timeline, the development and goals of the prospective exploration licenses in the DRC, mineral reserve and resource estimates, production and other operating results, productivity improvements, expected net proceeds, expected additional funding, the percentage of redemptions of HCVI’s public stockholders, growth prospects and outlook of Namib Minerals’ operations, individually or in the aggregate, including the achievement of project milestones, commencement and completion of commercial operations of certain of Namib Minerals’ exploration and production projects, as well as any information concerning possible or assumed future results of operations of Namib Minerals. Forward–looking statements also include statements regarding the expected benefits of the proposed business combination. The forward–looking statements are based on the current expectations of the respective management teams of Greenstone and HCVI, as applicable, and are inherently subject to uncertainties and changes in circumstance and their potential effects. There can be no assurance that future developments will be those that have been anticipated. These forward–looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward–looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, (i) the risk that the proposed business combination may not be completed in a timely manner or at all, which may adversely affect the price of HCVI’s securities; (ii) the risk that the proposed business combination may not be completed by HCVI’s business combination deadline and the potential failure to obtain an extension of the business combination deadline if sought by HCVI; (iii) the failure to satisfy the conditions to the consummation of the proposed business combination, including the adoption of the Business Combination Agreement by the stockholders of HCVI and Greenstone, the satisfaction of the $25 million minimum cash amount following redemptions by HCVI’s public stockholders and the receipt of certain regulatory approvals; (iv) market risks, including the price of gold; (v) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the Business Combination Agreement; (vi) the effect of the announcement or pendency of the proposed business combination on Greenstone’s business relationships, performance, and business generally; (vii) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Greenstone or HCVI related to the Business Combination Agreement or the proposed business combination; (viii) failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the proposed business combination; (ix) the inability to maintain the listing of HCVI’s securities or to meet listing requirements and maintain the listing of Namib Minerals’ securities on the Nasdaq; (x) the inability to remediate the identified material weaknesses in Greenstone’s internal control over financial reporting, which, if not corrected, could adversely affect the reliability of Greenstone’s and Namib Minerals’ financial reporting; (xi) the risk that the price of Namib Minerals’ securities may be volatile due to a variety of factors, including changes in the highly competitive industries in which Greenstone plans to operate, variations in performance across competitors, changes in laws, regulations, technologies, natural disasters or health epidemics/pandemics, national security tensions, and macro–economic and social environments affecting its business, and changes in the combined capital structure; (xii) the inability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations after the completion of the proposed business combination, identify and realize additional opportunities, and manage its growth and expanding operations; (xiii) the risk that Greenstone may not be able to successfully develop its assets, including expanding the How mine, restarting and expanding its other mines in Zimbabwe or developing its exploration permits in the DRC; (xiv) the risk that Greenstone will be unable to raise additional capital to execute its business plan, which may not be available on acceptable terms or at all; (xv) political and social risks of operating in Zimbabwe and the DRC; (xvi) the operational hazards and risks that Namib Minerals faces; and (xvii) the risk that additional financing in connection with the proposed business combination may not be raised on favorable terms, in a sufficient amount to satisfy the $25 million (post–redemptions) minimum cash amount condition to the Business Combination Agreement, or at all. The foregoing list is not exhaustive, and there may be additional risks that neither HCVI nor Greenstone presently know or that HCVI and Greenstone currently believe are immaterial. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors, any other factors discussed in this press release and the other risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” section of HCVI’s Annual Report on Form 10–K for the year ended December, 31, 2023, which was filed with the SEC on March 29, 2024, the risks described in the Registration Statement, which includes a preliminary proxy statement/prospectus, and those discussed and identified in filings made with the SEC by HCVI and Namib Minerals from time to time. Greenstone and HCVI caution you against placing undue reliance on forward–looking statements, which reflect current beliefs and are based on information currently available as of the date a forward–looking statement is made. Forward–looking statements set forth in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. None of Greenstone, HCVI, or Namib Minerals undertakes any obligation to revise forward–looking statements to reflect future events, changes in circumstances, or changes in beliefs. In the event that any forward–looking statement is updated, no inference should be made that Greenstone, HCVI, or Namib Minerals will make additional updates with respect to that statement, related matters, or any other forward–looking statements. Any corrections or revisions and other important assumptions and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from forward–looking statements, including discussions of significant risk factors, may appear, up to the consummation of the proposed business combination, in HCVI’s or Namib Minerals’ public filings with the SEC, which are or will be (as appropriate) accessible at www.sec.gov, and which you are advised to review carefully.

Important Information for Investors and Stockholders

In connection with the proposed business combination, Namib Minerals and Greenstone, as co–registrant, have filed with the SEC the Registration Statement, which includes a prospectus with respect to Namib Minerals’ securities to be issued in connection with the proposed business combination and a proxy statement to be distributed to holders of HCVI’s common stock in connection with HCVI’s solicitation of proxies for the vote by HCVI’s stockholders with respect to the proposed business combination and other matters to be described in the Registration Statement (the “Proxy Statement”). After the SEC declares the Registration Statement effective, HCVI plans to file the definitive Proxy Statement with the SEC and to mail copies to stockholders of HCVI as of a record date to be established for voting on the proposed business combination. This press release does not contain all the information that should be considered concerning the proposed business combination and is not a substitute for the Registration Statement, Proxy Statement or for any other document that Namib Minerals or HCVI may file with the SEC. Before making any investment or voting decision, investors and security holders of HCVI and Namib Minerals are urged to read the Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement, and any amendments or supplements thereto, as well as all other relevant materials filed or that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed business combination as they become available because they will contain important information about Greenstone, HCVI, Namib Minerals and the proposed business combination. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the Registration Statement, the Proxy Statement and all other relevant documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC by Namib Minerals and HCVI through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. In addition, the documents filed by Namib Minerals and HCVI may be obtained free of charge from HCVI’s website at hennessycapllc.com or by directing a request to Nicholas Geeza, Chief Financial Officer, PO Box 1036, 195 US Hwy 50, Suite 309, Zephyr Cove, Nevada 89448; Tel: (775) 339–1671. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, the websites referenced in this press release is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this press release.

Participants in the Solicitation

Greenstone, HCVI, Namib Minerals and their respective directors, executive officers and other members of management and employees may, under the rules of the SEC, be deemed to be participants in the solicitations of proxies from HCVI’s stockholders in connection with the proposed business combination. For more information about the names, affiliations and interests of HCVI’s directors and executive officers, please refer to HCVI’s annual report on Form 10–K filed with the SEC on March 29, 2024 and the Registration Statement, Proxy Statement and other relevant materials filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed business combination from time to time. Additional information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, which may, in some cases, be different than those of HCVI’s stockholders generally, are included in the Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement. Stockholders, potential investors and other interested persons should read the Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement carefully before making any voting or investment decisions. You may obtain free copies of these documents from the sources indicated above.

Use of Non–IFRS Financial Measures

Greenstone utilizes non–IFRS financial measures, including Adjusted EBITDA, to complement its IFRS reporting and provide stakeholders with a deeper understanding of its operational performance and financial health. These measures offer insights into trends and factors that IFRS metrics may not fully capture, and Greenstone believes they are essential for formulating strategic decisions and business plans. Non–IFRS financial measures should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information presented in compliance with IFRS, and non–IFRS financial measures as used by Greenstone may not be comparable to similarly titled amounts used by other companies. While not a substitute for IFRS results, they exclude items not indicative of Greenstone’s core operations, enhancing comparability across periods. Greenstone defines Adjusted EBITDA as profit for the period before finance cost, loss on sale, related party credit loss, taxes, depreciation, impairment of long lived assets, interest income, financial guarantee remeasurement, and share–based payments. The table below presents Greenstone’s Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the six–month period ended June 30, 2024, reconciled to Greenstone’s Profit for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the six–month period ended June 30, 2024, respectively, which is the most comparable IFRS measure:

(In thousands)     31–Dec–23
    30–Jun–24  
Profit for the period ended     $ 3,627     9,175  
Finance cost     2,415     1,057  
Loss on sale       41      
Related party credit loss       6,818     552  
Income tax expense       5,254     4,433  
Depreciation       2,705     1,666  
Impairment            
Interest income       (114 )    
Financial guarantee remeasurement       (486 )   (2,746 )
Share–based payments           2,834  
Adjusted EBITDA     $ 20,260     16,971  
 

Cautionary Note Regarding Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves
Estimates of “measured”, “indicated,” and “inferred” mineral resources as well as “mineral reserves” shown in this press release are defined in S–K 1300. The estimation of measured resources and indicated resources involves greater uncertainty as to their existence and economic feasibility than the estimation of proven and probable mineral reserves. The estimation of inferred resources involves far greater uncertainty as to their existence and economic viability than the estimation of other categories of resources. Investors are cautioned not to assume that any or all of the mineral resources are economically or legally mineable or that these mineral resources will ever be converted into mineral reserves. You are cautioned that mineral resources do not have demonstrated economic viability.

No Offer or Solicitation
This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or exchange, the solicitation of an offer to buy or a recommendation to purchase, any securities, or a solicitation of any vote, consent or approval, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale may be unlawful under the laws of such jurisdiction. No offering of securities in the proposed business combination shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or an exemption therefrom.

Contacts

Greenstone Corporation/Namib Minerals:
info@namibminerals.com

Hennessy Capital Investment Corp. VI:
Nicholas Geeza
ngeeza@hennessycapitalgroup.com

Investor Relations:
Caroline Sawamoto
NamibIR@allianceadvisors.com


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 9315817)

Denodo Named a Leader in the 2024 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Data Integration Tools for Five Consecutive Years

PALO ALTO, Calif., Dec. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Denodo, a leader in data management, today announced that Gartner® has positioned the Company as a Leader for the fifth consecutive year in its 2024 Magic Quadrant for Data Integration Tools. “The data integration tools market remains buoyant as organizations increasingly seek improved capabilities to support their operational, analytical and AI infrastructure use cases,” states Gartner. “In this research, we evaluate 20 vendors that compete to meet your organization’s data integration needs.”

The complete and complementary Magic Quadrant report, published on December 3, 2024 and authored by Thornton Craig et al., is available here.

“By 2027, AI assistants and AI–enhanced workflows incorporated into data integration tools will reduce manual intervention by 60% and enable self–service data management,” according to the 2024 Magic Quadrant report.

Leveraging the award winning Denodo Platform, organizations acquire timely, trusted, integrated datasets for faster analytics and informed business decisions, while building a strong foundation of AI–ready data to accelerate generative AI (GenAI) initiatives. The Denodo Platform is trusted by leading Fortune 500 and Global 1000 brands to improve customer experiences, gain operational efficiencies and agility, achieve self–service data democratization, and realize IT infrastructure modernization.

“The data integration market is evolving to include advanced AI and GenAI capabilities, and Denodo is leading the charge. We are very proud that Gartner Magic Quadrant has recognized us again for the past five years as a Leader in Data Integration Tools. This gives us the confirmation of our unique strength in simplifying and accelerating data integration in this complex, dynamic age,” said Ravi Shankar, senior vice president and chief marketing officer at Denodo. “We are so appreciative of our dedicated customers for entrusting us with their data. It is such an honor to also be recognized as a Customers’ Choice in the Gartner Peer Insights™ report for four years consecutively. We feel This demonstrates the strong reliance that our customers have placed in our logical approach to data management.”

In the 2024 Gartner Peer Insights “Voice of the Customer”: Data Integration Tools report, Denodo customers said:

My overall experience with Denodo has been exceptionally positive, particularly in its ability to seamlessly connect data from various data sources and take us quickly from data to insight. Also, the federated architecture provides collaboration opportunities between our different teams.” – data enablement manager, Miscellaneous Industry

Denodo is a fantastic tool for data integration as it centralizes data from various sources into one place. I find Denodo a user friendly tool because of its intuitive UI and thorough documentation. It simplifies data management and enhances efficiency across the system.” – product owner, Manufacturing

The combination of personal contact with our key account, great support including advisory sessions and on–demand trainings as well as official and community events makes Denodo stand out from other vendors.” – domain lead, Telecommunication

Gartner, Magic Quadrant for Data Integration Tools, Thornton Craig, Sharat Menon, Robert Thanaraj, Michele Launi, Nina Showell, 3 December 2024

Gartner, Gartner Peer Insights ‘Voice of the Customer’: Data Integration Tools, 24 May 2024

Gartner Disclaimers
Gartner Peer Insights content consists of the opinions of individual end users based on their own experiences with the vendors listed on the platform, should not be construed as statements of fact, nor do they represent the views of Gartner or its affiliates. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in this content nor makes any warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this content, about its accuracy or completeness, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally, MAGIC QUADRANT and PEER INSIGHTS are registered trademarks of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates and are used herein with permission. All rights reserved.

Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

Media Contacts
pr@denodo.com

Denodo
Denodo is a leader in data management. The award–winning Denodo Platform is the leading logical data management platform for delivering data in the language of business, at the speed of business, for all data–related initiatives across the organization. Realizing more than 400% ROI and millions of dollars in benefits, Denodo’s customers across enterprises in 30+ industries all over the world have received payback in less than six months. For more information, visit denodo.com.


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 9316022)

Bold Donor Action Urgently Needed to Give Ethiopia’s Crisis-Impacted Children a Lifeline

Furtuna (5) is getting the early education she deserves, and she loves counting with children at the Mahabre Dego Primary School, Tigray Region, Ethiopia. ECW and strategic partners’ investments in the country provide much-needed support for young crisis-affected girls and boys to have a better start in life through quality early education. Credit: ECW/Tesfaye

Furtuna (5) is getting the early education she deserves, and she loves counting with children at the Mahabre Dego Primary School, Tigray Region, Ethiopia. ECW and strategic partners’ investments in the country provide much-needed support for young crisis-affected girls and boys to have a better start in life through quality early education.
Credit: ECW/Tesfaye

By Joyce Chimbi
ADDIS ABABA & NAIROBI, Dec 9 2024 – Ethiopia’s education system is buckling under the weight of complex, competing challenges. The aftermath of a deadly war in the north, ongoing violence, climate-induced disasters, and widespread forced displacements have converged to push as many as 9 million children out of school. With close to 18 percent of schools in the country destroyed or damaged and persisting intercommunal conflicts in various regions, there are fears that many might never find their way back to school.

“In the absence of education, both boys and girls may be mobilized into militant groups, and frequently, girls will be subjected to child marriage. The choice is to provide them with an education, as it is the pathway to their future and contribution to their society and also as a protection mechanism,” says Yasmine Sherif, Executive Director of Education Cannot Wait (ECW), the global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises in the United Nations. “Being out-of-school puts them in harm’s way and onto the path of abuse, violations, and the destruction of their lives, their communities, and eventually their country. We must ensure that no child is left behind in the education system. Investing in the very real potential of Ethiopia’s young generation is not an option—it is an absolute necessity.”

Sherif traveled to the Tigray region in the first week of December 2024 together with the ECW Global Champion and Finance Minister of Denmark, Nicolai Wammen. ECW’s high-level delegation saw first-hand the devastating effects of the deadly three-year conflict between the Ethiopian central government and the northernmost region of Tigray, Ethiopia.

Yasmine Sherif, Executive Director, Education Cannot Wait (ECW) and Nicolai Wammen, ECW Global Champion and Danish Minister of Finance, visit a school in the Tigray Region in Ethiopia. The delegation met with girls and boys whose education was interrupted for over three years due to conflict. Thanks to ECW & strategic partners’ support in the region, students are back in the classroom where they belong. Credit: ECW/Tesfaye

Yasmine Sherif, Executive Director, Education Cannot Wait (ECW) and Nicolai Wammen, ECW Global Champion and Danish Minister of Finance, visit a school in the Tigray Region in Ethiopia. The delegation met with girls and boys whose education was interrupted for over three years due to conflict. Thanks to ECW & strategic partners’ support in the region, students are back in the classroom where they belong.
Credit: ECW/Tesfaye

The aftermath and recovery process are such that, amid limited resources, the country is putting back the pieces of a broken education infrastructure to jumpstart an education system that had come to a complete halt. At the end of their joint visit, the two called for bold donor action to deliver the promise of a quality education to millions of crisis-impacted children.

“We have a multi-year investment and great partners on the ground, including a very supportive government. We work with UN agencies, including UNICEF, and civil society organizations such as Save the Children, the Norwegian Refugee Council, Image1Day and other local Ethiopian organizations,” Sherif told IPS.

The ECW delegation visited schools benefiting from funding by ECW and strategic partners, met children, parents, and teachers, and saw first-hand the impact of ECW-supported programmes. In one school alone, enrollment increased by an impressive 20 percent last year due to a comprehensive package of interventions funded by ECW.

“It is heartwarming to witness the life-transforming power of quality education in the most complex crisis situations. I met strong and resilient girls and boys who are returning to learning, healing and thriving thanks to ECW’s support. However, conflicts, climate change and other crises continue to push millions of children out of school every year—in Ethiopia and beyond. Business as usual will not meet this challenge. I encourage private sector partners to join ECW’s efforts and invest in new and innovative financing strategies to fill the widening gap,” said Nicolai Wammen, Minister of Finance, Denmark, and ECW Global Champion.

Breiy Nuguse is a teacher at the ECW-supported FreKalsi Primary School in the Tigray Region, Ethiopia, where children are back in classrooms after over three years of missing out on an education due to the conflict that devasted the region. “Teaching makes me happy. I love teaching and when I see children learn, it is so rewarding. I was inspired to become a teacher, as my teachers were so wonderful when I was at school. I realize the gift of learning that they gave me, and I wanted to do the same for the next generation," Nuguse said. Photo credit: ECW//Tesfaye

Breiy Nuguse is a teacher at the ECW-supported FreKalsi Primary School in the Tigray Region, Ethiopia, where children are back in classrooms after over three years of missing out on an education due to the conflict that devasted the region. “Teaching makes me happy. I love teaching and when I see children learn, it is so rewarding. I was inspired to become a teacher, as my teachers were so wonderful when I was at school. I realize the gift of learning that they gave me, and I wanted to do the same for the next generation,” Nuguse said. Credit: ECW//Tesfaye

Sherif says the delegation saw significant progress in supported schools, such as “rehabilitated infrastructure and others rebuilt from scratch. We saw learning supplies, teachers who are well trained and sensitized, and professionals offering mental health and psychosocial services. There is a strong academic curriculum. Included in the national curriculum are critical issues of peacebuilding, ethics, and the arts. Education is ongoing in primary and secondary schools but also in pre-primary and early childhood development schools. Children with disabilities also benefit from targeted supports and inclusive education.”

Overall, they witnessed a protective learning environment that included systematic implementation of a referral identification of children in need and distribution of assistive devices, and children in need of assistance integrated with their peers, which promotes their inclusion and improves their social and learning skills.

There were girls’ clubs too for pursuit of shared and common interests. Teachers are trained on gender-sensitive issues, and there is systematic implementation of menstrual hygiene for adolescent girls, designated sanitation areas for girls, and promotion of water and sanitation.

Displaced and host community students who attend the ECW-supported Embandaso Primary School in the Tigray Region, Ethiopia, enjoy drawing so they can express their feelings and their dreams. Credit: ECW/Tesfaye

Displaced and host community students who attend the ECW-supported Embandaso Primary School in the Tigray Region, Ethiopia, enjoy drawing so they can express their feelings and their dreams.
Credit: ECW/Tesfaye

“The children are receiving quality, safe, and inclusive holistic education. Having gone through mental health and psychosocial support through ECW investment, they are confident and expressive of their dreams. This is what investment in education can do, and we can do even more through bold donor action to reach every child with quality education and prospects for lifelong learning and earning,” Sherif observes.

But the challenges are still significantly complex and pressing, and resources are scarce.

Ethiopia also hosts the third largest refugee population in Africa, significantly exacerbating the country’s educational challenges. There were over 200,000 new arrivals from Sudan and Somalia in 2023-2024 alone, further increasing pressure on existing resources.

After a visit that revealed the numerous challenges Ethiopian children face and their unwavering determination to learn, ECW announced a USD 5 million First Emergency Response grant, increasing its total investments in the country to USD 93 million since 2017.

Of the new USD 5 million grant, UNICEF will be the implementing partner for USD 4 million. A local organization, Imagine 1Day, will implement the remaining USD 1 million. The organizations will work together with their partners to address urgent needs in the Oromia and Afar regions, where renewed conflict, intercommunal violence, drought and displacement have further disrupted education services in recent months.

These emergency interventions will build on the USD 24 million Multi-Year Resilience Programme announced last month by ECW, targeting needs in the Amhara, Somalia, and Tigray regions.

Yasmine Sherif, Executive Director, Education Cannot Wait (ECW) and Nicolai Wammen, ECW Global Champion and Danish Minister of Finance are welcomed by students at the ECW-supported Chila Primary School in Tigray, Ethiopia. Children here have missed more than three years of education due to COVID and the conflict that devastated the region. Photo credit: ECW

Yasmine Sherif, Executive Director, Education Cannot Wait (ECW) and Nicolai Wammen, ECW Global Champion and Danish Minister of Finance, are welcomed by students at the ECW-supported Chila Primary School in Tigray, Ethiopia. Children here have missed more than three years of education due to COVID and the conflict that devastated the region.
Photo credit: ECW

“Imagine1Day is deeply grateful for this Education Cannot Wait First Emergency Response grant. With this generous support, we will provide over 13,000 out-of-school children in the Afar region—60 percent of whom are girls and 13 percent are children with disabilities—with access to safe learning environments. This project will not only enhance their well-being but also empower them to reach their full potential. Given that education in emergencies in Ethiopia has been severely underfunded, this grant is crucial in ensuring that crisis-affected children receive the education and support they need to build a brighter future,” said Dr. Seid Aman, Country Director of Imagine1Day.

To date, ECW’s combined multi-year and emergency investments in Ethiopia have reached more than 550,000 children and adolescents, providing a comprehensive range of supports—school rehabilitation, teacher training, mental health and psychosocial support, inclusive education, school feeding, gender transformative initiatives, early childhood education, and more. ECW’s support focuses on the most vulnerable, including girls, children from refugee, displaced and host community communities, and children with disabilities.

ECW’s investments are aligned to the Ethiopia Humanitarian Response Plan and the Ethiopia Education Sector Development Programme VI, a detailed planning document that provides a comprehensive outlook of the roadmap that the country’s education sector is taking. The Global Fund urgently calls for additional resources to fill the USD 64 million funding gap to meet the requirements for the acute education needs in the 2024 Humanitarian Response Plan for Ethiopia.

Working in emergency and protracted crisis settings across the globe, ECW supports quality education outcomes for refugee, internally displaced, and other crisis-affected girls and boys, so no one is left behind.

IPS UN Bureau Report

 


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Plastics, Power, and Politics: The High-Stakes Fight for a Global Treaty

Local people from Watamu, Kenya, work with Local Ocean Conservation to pick up plastic on the beach. Credit: UNEP/Cyril Villemain

By Dharmesh Shah
KERALA, India, Dec 9 2024 – As the fifth round of negotiations of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) for a global plastics treaty concluded in Busan, South Korea (25 November-December 1 2024), the meeting underscored both the complexities and the promises of multilateralism. What we saw in Busan was indicative of other environmental treatymaking spaces, including ones on climate and biodiversity.

There is a stark contrast between countries who are willing to show ambition and those who will engage in obstruction at any cost. This exposes the systemic challenges that both plague and demonstrate the enduring potential of multilateral environmental diplomacy to confront global challenges.

The plastics crisis affects every living being on the planet, becoming an undeniable reality rather than just a collection of statistics or headlines. Every day brings new stories of its impact on our health, environment, and livelihoods. Recognizing the scale of this crisis, countries around the world came together almost three years ago to say enough is enough.

The plastics treaty negotiations are the result of this collective realization, marking a critical step toward addressing a problem that touches every corner of our shared existence.

A 30-foot-high monument entitled Turn off the Plastics Tap by Canadian activist and artist Benjamin von Wong was exhibited at the UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2022. Credit: UNEP/Cyril Villemain

We were supposed to leave Busan with treaty text that would be ready for adoption. But instead, negotiators left without an agreement on the treaty, the barriers ahead are not only procedural or political; they are also philosophical. They reflect a deeper battle between the outdated paradigms of profit-driven growth and the urgent need for a collective reimagining of progress.

Petro-states are continuing to cling to fossil-fueled profits at the expense of collective well-being. It is not merely an economic strategy—it is a moral failure that will damage generations to come!

A Tale of Two Ambitions

Despite significant challenges, the negotiations also showed critical pathways forward. Panama and the Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS) emerged as powerful voices advocating for a global cap on plastic production—a bold proposal that garnered substantial support from 100 countries.

In a decisive show of ambition during the closing plenary, Rwanda, speaking on behalf of 95 nations, championed ambitious controls on plastic production, while Mexico, representing 85 countries, pressed for stringent regulations on chemicals of concern. These elements represent the backbone of a treaty that is fit to overcome the scale of the plastics crisis and deliver meaningful and lasting solutions.

The Shadow of Petrochemical Interests

The petrochemical industry’s influence loomed large over INC-5, with industry representatives forming the largest single delegation at the talks — outnumbering delegations of Indigenous Peoples, scientists, and some countries including the European Union and all of its member states.

This outsized presence underscores the strategic interest of fossil fuel giants toward plastics as renewable energy and progressive climate policies shrink traditional markets.

Petrochemicals, used in everyday products like plastics and medical equipment, are now the largest drivers of global oil demand, surpassing cars and planes. They are projected to account for over a third of oil demand growth by 2030 and nearly half by 2050, adding 7 million barrels of oil and 83 billion cubic meters of natural gas consumption daily by mid-century.

This shift represents a calculated gamble to embed plastics deeper into the global economy, ensuring the fossil fuel industry’s continued dominance despite the environmental and health costs. Yet the environmental and health costs of this strategy are catastrophic. Without significant reductions in plastic production, the sector is poised to consume up to 31% of the remaining carbon budget needed to keep global warming below 1.5°C.

But climate impact is only part of the story. Plastics are fundamentally chemical products, often containing a cocktail of toxic additives that threaten human and planetary health. From endocrine disruptors leaching into water supplies to carcinogens linked to manufacturing processes, the chemical footprint of plastics amplifies the crisis far beyond its carbon implications.

Decarbonizing the plastics industry, as some companies now propose, is a false solution. True solutions must address not only the climate footprint of plastics but also their broader toxic legacy.

An Unfinished Fight

While the Busan meeting failed to produce a treaty, it succeeded in highlighting what must change for future negotiations to succeed. Moreover, it remained successful in retaining the obligations that mattered by countering derailing tactics by certain bad-faith actors. The next resumed session (INC-5.2) offers a critical opportunity to address key sticking points:

1. Production Limits: A global cap on plastic production is non-negotiable. Countries must resist attempts to dilute this measure and instead push for clear, enforceable targets.

2. Chemical Regulation: The treaty must include robust mechanisms to phase out harmful chemicals in plastics, coupled with transparency and traceability requirements to ensure that people have a right to know what chemicals go into their products.

3. Financing Mechanisms: Developing nations are disproportionately affected by plastic pollution and they need financial and technical support to implement treaty obligations. The treaty should be funded by developed countries and should also ensure that the private sector, especially polymer producers, pays its share.

4. Inclusivity and Transparency: The exclusion of observers, Indigenous peoples, and civil society from critical stages of the Busan session undermined the treaty’s legitimacy. Future sessions must prioritize meaningful inclusivity and transparency, ensuring that all voices, especially those from Indigenous Peoples and frontline communities, are heard.

Holding Spoilers Accountable

It is imperative to call out countries that continue to obstruct progress in the INC negotiations. Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Iran, among others, self-organized under the so-called “Like-Minded Countries” bloc and have consistently opposed meaningful advances in the treaty process. Their tactics go beyond mere scepticism of the process. They actively undermine the treaty’s ambition and hold back substantive decisions by weaponizing the requirement for consensus in all decisions.

Consensus, while valuable for inclusivity, is being misused as a way to stifle ambition. International precedent, from the Minamata Convention to the Montreal Protocol, demonstrates that incorporating voting as a last resort when countries can otherwise not agree, strengthens negotiation processes and ensures democratic decision-making. Without this safeguard, the plastics treaty risks being shaped by the interests of the few at the expense of the many.

To salvage the treaty’s ambition, the INC must embrace procedural reforms that prioritize efficiency and inclusivity. Voting provisions are essential to overcoming the current impasse and enabling the majority of nations to push forward robust, science-based measures.

A Path Forward

The road to a binding global plastics treaty will not be easy, but the urgency of the crisis leaves no room for complacency. Multilateralism, while imperfect, remains our best hope for tackling global challenges. The successes of past agreements, from the Montreal Protocol to the Minamata Convention, remind us that persistence and ambition can yield transformative results.

We may have left Busan without a treaty — but no treaty was better than a weak one. Civil society, scientists, and progressive nations must rally to maintain pressure, ensuring that the treaty addresses the full lifecycle of plastics—from extraction to disposal—and delivers justice for affected communities. High-ambition country negotiators will have to leave their diplomatic tightropes at home and bring their steel-toed boots to the next session.

In the words of Panama’s lead negotiator, Juan Carlos Monterrey Gomez, “When we reconvene, the stakes will be higher. This is not a drill, this is a fight for survival. We did not accept a weak treaty here, and we never will.”

Dharmesh Shah is Consulting Senior Campaigner with Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), and coordinator of the Civil Society and Rights Holders Coalition.

IPS UN Bureau

 


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