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SOLVING THE CLIMATE CRISIS IS WITHIN REACH BUT A LACK OF FORTITUDE THREATENS TO STALL PROGRESS

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GENERATION INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT’S 8TH ANNUAL SUSTAINABILITY TRENDS REPORT HIGHLIGHTS THE WEAKENING OF CLIMATE COMMITMENTS AND BREAKING OF PROMISES

LONDON and SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Generation Investment Management, the sustainable investment manager, today published its eighth Sustainability Trends Report, which annually seeks to answer the question of where the world stands in the transition to a low-emissions economy. This year’s assessment analyses how climate promises are starting to resemble New Year’s resolutions: easy to make, hard to keep. It also covers the shifts needed across the global economy – spanning the power sector; transportation; buildings; industry; people, land & food; and climate finance.

Al Gore, Chairman and Founding Partner of Generation Investment Management, said: “Year after year, the world has increased the number and types of solutions available to solve the climate crisis. But leaders across government and business have all too frequently failed to match ingenuity with action. Despite the hype, hope and harmony generated by the agreement at last year’s international climate negotiations to “transition away” from the fossil fuels that are the root cause of the climate crisis, the reality today is that way too little has improved at the pace and scale needed. It is imperative that investors, business leaders and government officials understand that even though the collective ability to solve the climate crisis is within our reach, a lack of courage, fortitude and determination at a global scale threatens to allow the progress that is so urgently needed to slip through our fingers.”

TRANSITION FROM FOSSIL FUELS – WRITTEN INTO INTERNATIONAL LAW AT LONG LAST 

The great achievement of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) held in Dubai in December 2023 was that transitioning away from fossil fuels is now a formal goal of the countries of the world, written into international law. The biggest climate promise ever made is finally on the table and humans have it within their grasp to effect change at the scale and pace required.

The language of the COP28 agreement is fairly weak, however, with calls rejected for using the term ‘phase out’ in relation to fossil fuels, and no detail about how to achieve the transition. But countries did agree to set new goals relating to the energy transition, agreeing to triple the world’s installed base of renewable electricity by 2030. The potential impact of this cannot be overstated because the grid system will become the key to the future, enabling the shift to what is effectively an ‘electrify everything’ approach.

BROKEN PROMISES, FRESH HOPES

Climate commitments have been dealt a blow in recent times. Political pressure and ‘woke capital’ attacks over the past two years have contributed to reductions of capital allocated to sustainable investing and nowhere is this more disappointing than amongst the financial-services industry which has pulled back from commitments made only a couple of years ago. Oil and gas companies have been pulling back on their commitments to invest in alternative energy while maintaining or increasing their fossil investments, deepening a credibility gap between their rhetoric about net zero and their actions.

Against this negative backdrop, there remains plenty of hope because it is possible that we are on the precipice of a different momentous change. Renewable electricity is growing rapidly now, so much so that emissions from power production are falling sharply in some countries. Moreover, electricity demand is starting to grow in many developed economies where it had been stagnant for a decade. This is mostly good news, for it means that the exhortation to ‘electrify everything’ is working. Focus then shifts to the significant grid upgrades required to harness the wave of low-cost solar and wind, the answer of which lies in urgent improvements to planning and reductions in red tape. To achieve this, a step change is required from one specific set of actors: governments. They hold the keys to make the policy changes to unleash the expansion of electrification, at least in the major economies of China, the US, the EU, Latin America and India. 

IS THE GEOPOLITICS OF CLIMATE TRANSITION BROKEN?

Important, large-scale change requires the determination and courage of groups of people to make things happen. But geopolitics also poses a significant threat to any kind of progress in the transition. China was the biggest investor in clean energy in 2024, is the largest producer of solar panels, electric cars, electric buses, and the most important manufacturer of advanced batteries. But China’s return to an aggressive form of authoritarianism under Xi Jinping has put it at loggerheads with many of its trading partners. China’s military adventurism, its threats to invade Taiwan, its theft of technology from other countries, its repression of the Uyghur ethnic group and many other factors are leading to something like a Cold War between China and the West – which could lead to the energy transition getting caught up in the crossfire.

Elsewhere in the world, observers will be closely watching the results of this year’s US election. The Inflation Reduction Act has created a positive framework for change but the wider signals in the US do not paint a wholly positive picture. The prospect of new tariffs, trade barriers, protectionism or tearing up international treaties altogether threatens to cast a large shadow over the world economy and its efforts to deliver on decarbonisation in this critical decade.

Accelerating trends outlined in the report include:

Power

Renewable electricity is now growing rapidly, with solar energy being the breakout star, with the installation of new panels up 74 percent in a single year. But power demand is starting to grow rapidly too: new data centres are gulping down electricity, and more cars and heat pumps are drawing power from the grid. It remains unclear when we will turn the corner and see electricity emissions finally begin to fall.

Transport

The transition to electric cars is hitting speed bumps in some markets, notably the United States, with carmakers like Ford scaling back their transition plans. But other countries are moving forward, especially China, where electric cars are now the economical choice and are taking half the new-car market. We have yet to see much progress in cutting emissions from planes, ships or lorries/trucks.

Buildings

The buildings sector is not remotely on track for the emissions cuts needed to meet global climate goals. The slow progress from tougher building codes in some countries is being swamped by breakneck urbanisation and weak or non-existent building codes in many countries. Heat pumps are a bright spot, their popularity rising in some parts of the world.

Industry

Progress is still halting in the industrial sector, but we are beginning to see movement. Plans were announced for new low-emissions steel plants using clean hydrogen, with the number of such factories on the drawing board rising from two to six. Green hydrogen is critical to the emissions-cutting plans of some other industries, and electrolyser additions in 2023 were more than quadruple 2022 additions. The world also needs to get control of plastic pollution – industry is responsible for the 34% of excess carbon dioxide entering the atmosphere, and plastic accounts for three percentage points of this.

People, land & food

The climate crisis seems to be contributing to high food prices that have driven the number of hungry people in the world up by 150 million in this decade. Global hunger worsened during the pandemic in 2020 and the problem has not abated. Far more work needs to be done by governments to secure the food supply in an overheating climate and to encourage the spread of better farming practices. The destruction of tropical forests has abated somewhat under a new government in Brazil, and Indonesia has had dramatic success in cutting deforestation through the actions of the central government, but the topic remains an urgent global problem.

Financing the transition

We have finally reached the point where nearly $2 is being spent on clean energy infrastructure for every $1 spent on fossil fuels, a ratio that was closer to 1-to-1 only five years ago. But clean investment needs to accelerate rapidly, to $4 trillion or $5 trillion a year by 2030, to meet the world’s climate goals. Big banks are still shovelling tens of billions into the development of new fossil fuels, despite their pledges to align their lending with the climate transition.

Looking ahead

A fundamental tension has developed in the energy transition: governments want to use it as a core element of their industrial policy, to create new jobs in domestic factories, even as they try to move rapidly to clean energy. The two goals are in conflict, given China’s nearly insurmountable head start in solar panels, electric cars, batteries and other green technologies. How this tension gets resolved will determine how fast the energy transition can proceed.

About Generation Investment Management

Generation Investment Management LLP is dedicated to long-term investing, integrated sustainability research and client alignment. It is an independent, private, owner-managed partnership established in 2004 and headquartered in London, with a US presence in San Francisco, with more than $44 billion of assets under management and supervision.1 For further information, please visit https://www.generationim.com/

1 Assets under management as at 30 June 2024 are $33.8 billion. Assets under supervision (AUS) are $10.5 billion as at 31 March 2024. AUS form part of our Private Equity strategy and include assets where Generation sourced, structured and/or negotiated the investment and in relation to which it provides certain ongoing advisory services for a fee.

Media Contact
Richard Campbell
Kekst CNC
richard.campbell@kekstcnc.com
+44 (0) 7775 784 933

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/solving-the-climate-crisis-is-within-reach-but-a-lack-of-fortitude-threatens-to-stall-progress-302250198.html

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ImageTrend CFO John Wolfenden Accepted Into Forbes Finance Council

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July 24, 2026

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Invitation-only professional community selects finance leader based on the depth and diversity of his experience 

EAGAN, Minn., July 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ImageTrend, the leading provider of software and AI intelligence for emergency response, healthcare and public safety organizations, today announced that Chief Financial Officer John Wolfenden has been accepted into the Forbes Finance Council.

The Forbes Finance Council brings together executives, investors, and market operators who help shape how capital is allocated, managed, and protected in increasingly complex environments. The invitation-only members are vetted by a selection process that evaluates professional experience, leadership, and industry expertise. 

Wolfenden was selected following a review of his experience as CFO of multiple software companies and his track record of strengthening financial operations, improving business processes and supporting growth. At ImageTrend, he leads the finance function and serves as a strategic partner across the business as the company advances its AI-powered platform and supports more than 11,000 agencies. 

Recognized Finance Leadership 

Across his CFO roles, Wolfenden has focused on operational improvement, business growth and building finance functions that serve as strategic partners across the organization. At ImageTrend, he plays a critical role in the executive leadership team, overseeing financial strategy and operations and helping the company build the scalable foundation required for long-term growth. 

“John’s impact at ImageTrend goes well beyond the finance function,” said Joe Graw, Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Growth Officer. “He brings financial discipline, commercial perspective and a roll-up-your-sleeves approach to the decisions that shape how we grow and serve our customers. His selection for Forbes Finance Council is well deserved and gives him a valuable platform to share that expertise with other finance leaders.” 

Contributing to a Selective Finance Community 

As a council member, Wolfenden will join a curated peer community and have opportunities to work with an editorial team to share expert insights in original articles and contribute to Expert Panels on Forbes.com. He plans to share lessons from scaling software organizations and strengthening finance operations. 

“I am honored to have been selected to join Forbes Finance Council,” said Wolfenden. “I look forward to exchanging ideas with other finance leaders and learning from their experiences. I have always believed that finance should work closely with every part of the business, helping teams solve problems and make sound decisions. I am excited to bring what I learn back to ImageTrend as we continue improving how we operate and supporting the company’s growth.” 

For more information about ImageTrend, visit www.imagetrend.com.

About ImageTrend 

ImageTrend helps emergency response teams who struggle with documentation overload by giving them one AI-powered operating system so they can command with confidence and protect more lives with better decisions. 

Founded in 1998, the company serves more than 11,000 agencies in the United States, Canada and United Arab Emirates across Fire, Emergency Medical Services, and Hospital segments. With its deep industry knowledge and advanced data analytics capabilities, the software provider helps its customers streamline operations, shape long-term strategies, and dramatically improve outcomes. Its AI-embedded product solutions and dedicated team provide the intelligence and confidence that first responders need to tackle today’s challenges and prepare for tomorrow’s uncertainties.

About Forbes Councils 

Forbes Councils is a collective of invitation-only communities created in partnership with Forbes and the expert community builders who founded Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC). In Forbes Councils, exceptional business owners and leaders come together with the people and resources that can help them thrive.

To learn more about Forbes Councils, visit https://councils.forbes.com.

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SOURCE ImageTrend LLC

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Okuma America Corporation to Exhibit at IMTS 2026 with Comprehensive Lineup

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July 24, 2026

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Newly Designed Machines, Open-architecture CNC Control, Multiple Automation Systems, Intelligent Technologies, World-Class Services, Sustainable Initiatives, & More to be Featured

CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The leadership team at Okuma America Corporation, a global leader and single-source builder of computer numeric control (CNC) machine tools, controls, and automation systems, is excited to announce the company’s exhibition plans for the 2026 International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) to be held in Chicago, Illinois, from September 14 to 19, 2026.

Within its 17,000 square-foot booth, the company plans to showcase a comprehensive offering for the metalworking industry featuring new CNC machine tools, an industry-leading CNC control, a robust line of automation systems, intelligent manufacturing technologies, new world-class services, and more. Okuma America Corporation will host a media event in the South Hall (Booth #338500) on Tuesday, September 15 at 2:00 pm to highlight the company’s IMTS offerings, share insights from the Okuma leadership team, and showcase latest technologies during booth tours.

New & Notable

Four CNC Machines to Make Americas Debut
Of the 11 CNC machine tools Okuma will exhibit at IMTS 2026, four will make their debut in the Americas:

NEW – Okuma MB-100V Vertical Machining CenterNEW – Okuma GENOS M4000H-e Horizontal Machining CenterNEW – Okuma MS-320H Horizontal Machining CenterNEW – Okuma MULTUS U1000 Multitasking Lathe

Okuma Factory Automation and Peripherals
Okuma will present a comprehensive lineup of automation systems developed by the Okuma Factory Automation (OFA) Group, along with best-in-class solutions from its industry partners, all of which seamlessly integrate with Okuma machines. Leading the charge on automation innovation, Okuma is partnering with Intrinsic AI to display an AI automation robot cell. The company is pleased to announce that 9 of its 11 IMTS 2026 CNC machine tools will be paired with automation systems, including three solutions making their debut in the Americas:

NEXT GENERATION – Okuma Robot Loader (ORL) Series Enhancements & Additions – easy-to-integrate robotic systems designed to load and unload workpieces from machinesOkuma Robot Loader Drawer II (ORL-D II)Okuma Robot Loader for Machining Centers (ORL-MC II) with palletOkuma Robot Loader Plus with Pallet (ORL+) – a system designed to perform multiple functionsNEW – Okuma Tower Pallet Changer – vertical, two-level pallet changer with 13-pallet capacityNEW – Modular Automatic Tool Changer

NEW Virtual Reality Experience
Okuma will provide IMTS 2026 attendees with the opportunity to explore various Okuma machine models in a virtual reality environment. A dedicated area within the Okuma booth (booth #338500) will be available for participants to wear a virtual reality headset to view, walk around, and interact with a virtual 3D model of various Okuma CNC machine tools. This includes models beyond what is physically being exhibited within the booth, such as the MCR-A5CII double column machining center.

NEW Explore the Okuma Global Repair Center
Okuma is thrilled to share details of its newly constructed Global Repair Center at its headquarters campus in Charlotte, NC. The 35,000 square-foot facility brings mechanical and electrical repair, component exchange, upgrades, and legacy part fabrication together in a new, state-of-the-art building that is four times larger than previous dedicated space. Backed by advanced inspection, testing, CNC simulation, and thousands of ready-to-ship parts, the facility maximizes uptime, safeguards Okuma users’ investment, and reinforces Okuma’s promise to Passionately Pursue a Customer for Life. Booth visitors may explore the new facility via a 3D-printed model and watch a video of the facility’s impressive operations.

NEW Tribute to America 250
Okuma is pleased to recognize and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States of America with several tributes within its booth experience. Booth visitors can see an intricately-crafted Bald Eagle which is being created on the Okuma MU-8000V vertical machining center. Additionally, the company will also reward attendees who complete an in-booth survey with an exclusive baseball hat that features an American flag design element. Also, the GENOS M4000H-e horizontal machining center, which will be making its Americas Debut, will feature a one-of-a-kind patriotic graphics theme, produced by the company’s NASCAR partner, Richard Childress Racing.

Okuma Machine Featured in Partner Booth
Okuma is proud to partner with 50+ companies in the manufacturing industry through our Partners in Technology program, many who will be featured in demonstrations throughout the Okuma booth. Several program members are also exhibiting at IMTS 2026, including Air Turbine Tool. They will feature an Okuma GENOS M560-V vertical machining center in working display at their booth (#431645).

Comprehensive Technology Lineup

Okuma will showcase 11 CNC machine tools at the show, representing a wide range of the company’s vast product lines. Among these are four new products making their Americas debut. Additionally, ten unique automation systems will be on display, including three proprietary innovations from Okuma Factory Automation. The distinctive OSP-P500 control system will be featured on 9 of the 11 CNC machines in the booth, as well as on free-standing interactive simulators. Okuma will also highlight key components of its world-class service and support program.

Okuma’s complete IMTS 2026 machine, control, and automation lineup includes:

Okuma Machining Centers

 Paired Automation System

GENOS M4000H-e – NEW

 Internal Two-Station Automatic Pallet Changer (APC)

MB-100V – NEW

MB-5000HII

 Okuma Tower Pallet Changer

MS-320H – NEW

 Okuma Robot Loader Drawer II (ORL-D II)

MU-8000V

 Modular Automation Cell

GENOS M460V-5AX (5-axis)

Okuma Robot Loader Machining Center II (ORL-MC II) & Modular Automatic Tool Changer (ATC)

Lathes

 Paired Automation System

LB2000 EX III MYW

 Okuma Robot Loader Plus with pallet (ORL+)

LT2000 EX 3T3MY

 Okuma NC Unloader and LNS Bar Feeder

LU3000 EX

 Okuma Gantry Loader (OGL)

Multitasking Lathes

 Paired Automation System

MULTUS U1000 – NEW

Grinder

Paired Automation System

GA26W

Okuma Robot Loader Plus with pallet (ORL+)

Other Highlights

Okuma Speaking & Media Engagements
There will be multiple opportunities for show visitors to attend speaking engagements led by Okuma executive leadership and experts, including:

Okuma Press Conference on Tuesday, 9/15 at 2 PM CST, located in the Virtual Reality section of Okuma Booth (booth #338500)Simon Schneider, Director of Okuma Factory Automation, to present “The Automation Impact: Short-Term Wins to Long-Term Transformations” at Room W192-C on Tuesday, 9/15 at 2:15 CSTWade Andersion, Vice President of Engineering and Okuma Factory Automation, to present at the Blaser Swisslube Booth (booth #431228) on Tuesday 9/15 at 3 PM CST

Okuma is pleased to partner with a variety of manufacturing trade publications for scheduled media engagement and filming sessions throughout IMTS 2026. This includes outlets such as Practical Machinist, MTD CNC, Modern Machine Shop, and more.

Sustainability Initiatives
At Okuma, we’re working together to build a better machine tool and a better future. Okuma CNC machines are equipped with Okuma’s “Green Smart Machine” technology, a series of combined technologies that harmonize high-performance machining with intelligent energy management controls. Specifically, these technologies include Okuma’s proprietary ECO suite plus and Thermo-Friendly Concept, both of which will be displayed at IMTS 2026.

Okuma Best-in-Class Distributor Network
In support of Okuma’s mission of ‘Passionately Pursuing a Customer for Life’, Okuma has created strategic relationships with best-in-class distributorships to support customer needs within their local regions of operation. Representatives from each of Okuma’s distributors will be onsite at IMTS 2026.

Okuma Partners in Technology
Okuma’s Partners in Technology network brings together 50+ companies that represent best-in-class manufacturing solutions and technologies that pair perfectly with Okuma CNC machine tools.

For more information on Okuma’s IMTS offering, visit www.okuma.com/imts.

About Okuma America Corporation
Okuma America Corporation is the U.S.-based sales, marketing, engineering, and service affiliate of Okuma Corporation, a world-leading builder of CNC (computer numeric control) machine tools, controls, and automation systems. The company was founded in 1898 in Nagoya, Japan, and is the industry’s only single-source provider of CNC machines, drives, motors, encoders, spindles, and automation systems, all manufactured by Okuma. The company designs its own CNC controls to integrate seamlessly with each machine tool’s functionality. In 2014 Okuma launched the Okuma App Store, the industry’s only centralized online marketplace for machine tool apps and related content at that time. Along with its extensive distribution network (largest in the Americas), and Partners in Technology network of enhanced manufacturing technologies, Okuma is committed to helping users gain competitive advantage through the open possibilities of machine tools today and into the future. For more information, visit Okuma.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.

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SOURCE Okuma America Corporation

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TrendAI™ Adopts Claude Opus 5 to Advance Vulnerability Prioritization, Assessment, and Virtual Patching

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July 24, 2026

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As a participant in Anthropic’s Cyber Verification Program, TrendAI applies frontier reasoning to convert vulnerability intelligence into faster protection across hybrid environments

DALLAS, July 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — TrendAI™, the enterprise AI security leader from Trend Micro Incorporated (TYO: 4704; TSE: 4704), today announced it is adopting Claude Opus 5, Anthropic’s latest and most capable Opus model, to help security teams convert vulnerability intelligence into immediate protection, from prioritization and assessment through to virtual patching. The move builds on TrendAI’s collaboration with Anthropic on Claude Opus 4.8, extending the same defensive focus to a model that delivers step-change gains in advanced reasoning, agentic workflows, and long-horizon analysis. As AI makes finding vulnerabilities easier than ever, the harder problem becomes protecting organizations faster than software can be permanently patched, and that is where TrendAI is putting Opus 5 to work.

As a participant in Anthropic’s Cyber Verification Program, which credentials organizations for the defensive use of frontier AI models, TrendAI is positioned to apply Claude Opus 5 to defensive security as access becomes available. The model is Zero Data Retention compatible, supporting TrendAI’s governance and data-protection requirements as it scales AI across security operations.

Rachel Jin, Chief Platform and Business Officer, Head of TrendAI™:
“With Claude Opus 5, TrendAI can move from vulnerability intelligence to action faster than ever, prioritizing what matters most by exploitability and business impact. Finding the vulnerability was always the hard part. Now the challenge is protecting organizations faster than software can be permanently patched, and frontier reasoning is what changes that equation, extending all the way to virtual patching that protects customers before a vendor fix ships. This is what it means to secure the AI age, fearlessly.”

These capabilities support TrendAI Vision One™ in helping security analysts, AppSec teams, and SOC teams prioritize exposure, map attack paths, and accelerate mitigation, including virtual patching, across hybrid environments, moving vulnerability management from a static scanning process into a faster, context-aware risk mitigation workflow.

About TrendAI™
TrendAI™, the global AI security leader and enterprise business unit of Trend Micro, empowers organizations with full AI visibility and consolidated security that inspires confidence, drives innovation, and eliminates risk. Trusted by the largest enterprises and governments across 185 countries, TrendAI™ secures the entire organization, from identities, to infrastructure, to data. Global Fortune 500 companies rely on TrendAI™ to cut risk and stop threats up to three months earlier, powered by world-leading threat and attack intelligence. Through deep ecosystem partnerships with market leaders like NVIDIA, Anthropic, AWS, Google, and Microsoft, TrendAI™ empowers your organization to securely drive forward at the speed of AI. AI Fearlessly. Learn more: trendaisecurity.com

About Anthropic
Anthropic is an AI safety and research company dedicated to building reliable, interpretable, and steerable AI systems. Its Claude family of models, including Claude Opus 5, enables advanced capabilities across a wide range of applications, including code understanding and security analysis.

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SOURCE TrendAI

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