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No progress on water security in most countries assessed while complacency about crisis persists, finds BSI study

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HERNDON, Va., Oct. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The US has been rated as facing the highest level of water security challenge alongside relatively limited progress towards solutions in new analysis published by BSI and Waterwise. No improvement was found in the water security of 31 countries in the last year in the 2024 Water Security and Solutions Indicator, with the US scoring 53 out of 85, followed by China at 50 and India at 52. The study combines publicly available data with international polling of 9,300 people, finding a concerning disconnect between the reality of the challenge, public understanding of its severity, and the action required to turn things around.

Although 60% of respondents recognize water security as an important global issue, and three quarters specifically cite drought in their country as an issue, under half (45%) said addressing water security was as important as addressing climate change. Only 15% globally say they see water security discussed regularly by politicians or media, despite the fact that annual water use rose by around 3,500 billion m3 globally between 1900 and 2024 and will worsen with climate change. This equates to adding 895m3 of water demand each second or an Olympic sized swimming pool (2500m3) every 2.79 seconds.

Global water demand is projected to grow by around 1%, or 400 billion m3, per annum. On this basis, new calculations show the world could add 1268 m3 of water demand per second, equating to one Olympic sized swimming pool every two seconds.

The polling data suggests gaps between the reality of the global water security challenge and public comprehension of its scale – 74% were confident in their country’s freshwater supply, but this included 85% in India, 82% in Australia, and 73% in the US.

Of the 41 countries assessed for the water security challenge, the greatest increase in score was Spain, which went up by five points. 13 received higher scores representing greater water insecurity in 2024 – including Türkiye, Japan, the Netherlands and Belgium. Decreases, indicating water security improvements, were only seen in nine countries, including Sweden, Switzerland and Norway.

Positively, more than half of people (53%) believe individuals should take steps to reduce wastage. 73% globally support water use labels on products, reflecting a strong desire for actionable solutions. Similarly, 68% would be willing to spend more on brands acting on water efficiency and two thirds (67%) would purchase items using less water intensive materials even at greater cost.

Susan Taylor Martin, Chief Executive, BSI said: “While we are seeing pockets of progress towards a water secure world, there is more to do to promote understanding and positive change. This begins with awareness and recognition of the scale of the challenge, and how it fits into broader conversations about climate change and sustainability, from there our politicians and leaders can pave the way for action.

“While there is no single solution, we can and should take action today — from implementing water efficiency labelling to improving consumer choices, to advancing wastewater management in pharmaceutical development. There is much we can achieve collectively. At BSI, we believe individuals and organizations can come together to drive progress toward a sustainable future, where the supply of fresh water meets growing demands.”

Nicci Russell, CEO, Waterwise said: “Progress is frustratingly slow in most of the world and in other parts, the challenges posed by water security are actually growing. What is crystal clear from the research is that a key part of the solution is making sure that we use the water that we do have wisely in our homes and workplaces.”

Globally, Britons (21%) and the Japanese (15%) were least confident in their understanding of their country’s level of water security, potentially indicating the impact of insufficient political and media focus. Additionally, a quarter globally lacked confidence in their country’s infrastructure for ensuring water security, with the lowest confidence levels reported in the UK (32%) and Japan (44%).

BSI sets out tangible areas for action, including calling on media, policymakers and businesses to shape the conversation and raise awareness by incorporating water security into climate discussions. Additionally, BSI is urging consumers to be supported to make sustainable choices, for example via mandatory water efficiency labels, to boost consumer awareness and market innovation.

Explore the data on BSI’s dedicated dashboard.

CONTACT: Jennifer Lipman, jennifer.lipman@bsigroup.com

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SOURCE BSI

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Ningbo’s “Eco+” Integration Practice showcased at SCO forum

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NINGBO, China, April 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s (SCO) Green and Sustainable Development Forum was held in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, April 28–30. At this international event focused on green, low–carbon transition, Ningbo showcased concrete examples of harmonious coexistence between people and nature.

An abandoned quarry has been converted into an international racetrack, whose engine roars have stimulated a growing cultural and tourism sector. A once–barren “firewood trail” has been upgraded into a national mountaineering route, spawning distinctive local industries now known as the “Hometown of China’s Sports Walking Sticks” and the “Capital of China’s Flashlights.” Ningbo continues to advance its “Eco+” integration model, turning ecological assets into industrial momentum, development potential and measurable gains in shared prosperity. The city has developed a practical path for realizing the value of lucid waters and lush mountains, offering a replicable “Ningbo model” for green, low–carbon urban transformation worldwide.

In Beilun, more than 500 species have been recorded, and the district has been designated a UN “Biodiversity Charming City.” From the revitalized Meishan Bay in Beilun to the misty expanse of Dongqian Lake in Yinzhou and the historic allure of Moon Lake in Haishu, local authorities are using the “golden key” of ecological governance to revive dormant green mountains and clear waters. Notably, Ningbo’s ecological governance goes beyond mountain repair and water treatment: it integrates “Eco+” development from the source through unified planning and coordinated implementation—protecting ecological foundations while preserving space for industry. This forward–looking approach has produced a win–win outcome for ecology and development; along Meishan Bay’s shore, cultural tourism and leisure industries have rapidly clustered, receiving more than 2 million visitors annually.

In Fenghua, the “Common Prosperity Studio” initiative has built a full–chain platform integrating “5G + IoT + Agriculture,” and introduced a model that combines village–collective fixed–rent leasing, professional enterprise operation and flexible farmer participation. In Yuyao, Hemudu pioneered China’s first ecological integrated farming of breeding soft–shelled turtles in water oat fields, balancing ecological protection, food security and farmers’ income growth. Zhenhai Refining & Chemical has established China’s first “Zero–Waste Petrochemical Base,” recognized as a national model case of a “Zero–Waste Industrial Park.”

Leveraging its mountain and sea resources, Ningbo has deepened chain–based integration of “Ecology + Cultural Tourism + Sports + Manufacturing,” continuously converting ecological value into tangible benefits for residents. Ninghai has transformed abandoned ancient paths into a 500–km national mountaineering trail and established a national sports–industry demonstration base. Xiangshan has used the Asian Games to invigorate coastal tourism and open channels for converting marine ecological value. Yinzhou and Haishu have developed biodiversity–friendly districts and townships, fostering new sectors such as educational tourism and cultural–creative industries.

To ensure green development proceeds steadily and sustainably, Ningbo is building a multi–stakeholder governance system that includes government, enterprises and the public. Ninghai has pioneered a “Soil and Forestland Bank,” using financial instruments to unlock the value of forestry resources. Yinzhou, Cixi and other areas have mobilized broad public participation in ecological protection, creating a co–construction and shared–benefits model that supports ongoing ecological value realization.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2968174/Ningbo_Meishan_Port.jpg
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2968173/Ningbo_Logo.jpg

 

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SOURCE Ningbo International Communication Center

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Hyde Park Capital Advises DevRefactory on its Sale to Capacity

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TAMPA, Fla., April 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Hyde Park Capital announced today that its client, DevRefactory, a leading customer experience software platform specializing in omnichannel journey orchestration, embedded middleware, and integrated managed services, has been acquired by Capacity. Hyde Park Capital served as the exclusive investment banker to DevRefactory for this transaction. Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick served as legal counsel to DevRefactory.

DevRefactory’s platform orchestrates customer interactions across voice, chat, web, and social channels, enabling seamless transitions while preserving context. It centralizes knowledge, powers self-service and chatbot experiences, and streamlines engagement across the customer lifecycle. These capabilities are complemented by a specialized managed services team supporting implementation, optimization, and ongoing performance improvement.

Marcus Alexander, CFO and Head of Corporate Development at Capacity, stated, “The DevRefactory team have built an incredible business in the telecom space and this acquisition allows us to scale that innovation across the entire Capacity platform. Together, we’re accelerating a future where contact centers can unify their customer interactions, reduce costs and deliver consistently better experiences, without the complexity of fragmented tools.”

James Ramey, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of DevRefactory, commented, “After rapidly establishing Refactory as a leader in AI enablement—delivering enterprise-grade solutions to Fortune 50 organizations—we are excited to announce that Refactory has been acquired by Capacity AI. This partnership will expand our ability to deliver true omnichannel AI experiences at scale, leveraging Capacity AI’s platform and reach across more than 20,000 customers worldwide.”

Ramey continued, “Following strong inbound acquisition interest, we partnered with Hyde Park Capital as our exclusive financial advisor to evaluate strategic opportunities. Their team brought exceptional focus, deep alignment with our vision, and a disciplined process that prioritized both enterprise impact and employee value. Hyde Park Capital curated a highly complementary group of potential partners and guided us through a transaction that positions our team and technology for long-term success. Together, we selected Capacity AI as the ideal partner to accelerate our mission and extend the reach of Refactory’s platform globally. We are incredibly grateful to the Hyde Park Capital team and the Capacity AI team for their partnership throughout this process, and we are excited for the next chapter as part of Capacity AI.”

Michael Johnson, Managing Director at Hyde Park Capital, reflected on the transaction, “It has been a privilege to advise JC, Brian, and Dustin, the founders of DevRefactory, throughout this process. From day one, it was clear that they built something truly differentiated, a platform rooted in deep technical expertise and a genuine passion for reimagining how enterprises engage with their customers. DevRefactory’s capabilities are a natural fit within Capacity’s platform, and we are excited to see the impact this combination will have for their clients and the broader customer experience market.”

Trevor Mumford, Vice President at Hyde Park Capital, added, “It was genuinely refreshing to work with a founding team that has been close friends since high school and has spent years building technology together. Working alongside entrepreneurs who combine that kind of personal conviction with serious technical innovation makes for a truly rewarding engagement. We’re proud of the outcome and confident Capacity is the right home to take DevRefactory’s mission to the next level.”

About DevRefactory

Founded in 2020, DevRefactory is a customer experience software platform that enables enterprises to deliver seamlessly connected, omnichannel customer journeys at scale. Through its OCX (Omnichannel Customer Experience) suite, DevRefactory provides embedded middleware, managed services, and practical AI frameworks that orchestrate engagement across voice, web chat, SMS, mobile apps, email, and social media. The Company’s solutions empower customers to interact on their own terms while eliminating the complexity of managing disparate channel technologies independently. Partnering with leading platforms, DevRefactory serves as an innovation accelerator, helping enterprises prove value rapidly and integrate modern omnichannel capabilities into their existing ecosystems. For additional information, please visit www.refactory.dev.

About Capacity

Founded in 2017, Capacity is an AI-powered support automation platform that gives organizations the capacity to do more with less. Its unified platform combines intelligent virtual agents, conversational AI, agent assist and live support tools, campaigns and workflow automation, and advanced analytics, enabling businesses to automate customer inquiries, reduce handle times, and drive consistent, high-quality experiences across every channel, including voice, chat, email, SMS, and web. Trusted by more than 20,000 organizations and powering over 36 billion automated interactions, Capacity serves leading brands across financial services, healthcare, retail, education, insurance, and more. With over 250 pre-built integrations and enterprise-grade security, Capacity delivers seamless deployment into existing technology ecosystems. Proudly headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, Capacity is part of the Equity.com incubator. For additional information, please visit https://capacity.com/main.

About Hyde Park Capital

Hyde Park Capital is a boutique investment banking firm specializing in mergers and acquisitions of successful founder and family-owned companies. Hyde Park Capital’s principals have extensive investment banking experience, including managing sell-side and buy-side transactions, recapitalizations, financial advisory assignments, fairness opinions, raising growth and acquisition capital for companies, including equity, mezzanine, senior debt, and project finance. Hyde Park Capital has bankers who specialize in numerous industry sectors, including healthcare, industrials, business services, technology, consumer, and cleantech/power finance particularly in connection with data centers. This transaction represents another successful engagement closed by Hyde Park Capital within the technology sector. Hyde Park Capital is headquartered in Tampa, Florida, with additional offices in Nashville, Tennessee, and San Francisco, California, and is a member of FINRA and SIPC. For additional information, please visit www.hydeparkcapital.com.

Media Contacts:

Michael Johnson

Managing Director

johnson@hydeparkcapital.com

813-769-3284

Trevor Mumford

Vice President

mumford@hydeparkcapital.com

813-209-9071

 

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SOURCE Hyde Park Capital

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Micro Center Launches Retail Media Offering to Reach Tech Enthusiasts and Builders

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Powered by Epsilon, Micro Center Retail Media combines AI, person-level identity, and closed-loop measurement to deliver provable, measurable impact for advertisers.

HILLIARD, Ohio, April 28, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Micro Center, a leading national retailer of computers and electronic devices, today announced the launch of its retail media offering, Micro Center Retail Media. The offering gives brands access to more than 20 million highly engaged Micro Center customers—tech enthusiasts including PC builders, small businesses, IT professionals and creators—audiences that are difficult to reach at scale through mass-market retail media networks. Using first party data and deep category insights, advertisers can influence purchase decisions where technical guidance, compatibility, and performance matter most.

“For more than 40 years, Micro Center has earned the trust of tech enthusiasts and builders by pairing deep expertise with an unmatched in-store experience,” said Steve Rado, Chief Marketing Officer of Micro Center. “Our retail media offering builds on that foundation, giving advertisers a powerful way to engage our customers with relevance, credibility and clear measurement.”

Developed in partnership with global technology, data, and services company Epsilon, Micro Center Retail Media couples AI with person level identity in the ad server to help advertisers engage high intent shoppers with greater precision. The offering intelligently determines when, where, and how often to engage customers, optimizing media investment to maximize performance.

Brands can activate campaigns across Micro Center’s digital and physical touchpoints to influence both online and in-store purchases. Available channels include onsite display and sponsored product placements as well as offsite display, video and CTV—all supported by closed-loop measurement that quantifies incremental sales across digital and physical environments.

“Micro Center Retail Media connects advertisers with some of the most knowledgeable, high-intent tech buyers in retail,” said Rado. “It’s a best-in-class offering designed to help advertisers engage serious tech buyers with confidence.”

Named PCMag’s Best Tech Retailer for three consecutive years, Micro Center is widely recognized for its expert-led customer experience and technical credibility. Instore offerings such as the Knowledge Bar, Insider credit card benefits, and exclusive instore only “loss leader” bundles create high-impact moments for brands at the point of decision. Customers rely on Micro Center associates to identify compatibility issues and recommend better builds—trust that translates directly to advertiser performance.

“Micro Center boasts one of the most informed and intentional audiences in retail,” said Chris Wissing, Chief Product Officer at Epsilon. “Our data and technology help identify more of these niche shoppers, follow their journey from online to in-store, and connect media directly to purchase outcomes for Micro Center and its brand partners.”

About Micro Center

Micro Center operates thirty large computer and electronics stores in major markets nationwide. Founded in 1979 in Columbus, Micro Center is designed to satisfy the dedicated computer and electronics user. Uniquely focused on computers and related products, Micro Center offers more computers and related items (more than 20,000 items in stock) than any other retailer. Micro Center is passionate about offering a high level of customer service, with a knowledgeable and tenured sales team. Customers can visit Micro Center’s 30 stores (with more locations coming soon) from coast-to-coast or microcenter.com for thousands of computer-related items, electronics, and other technology products.

Micro Center stores are located in:

Atlanta (2), Baltimore, Boston, Chicago (2), Charlotte, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York (5), Philadelphia, Phoenix, St. Louis, Washington, D.C. (2), Santa Clara, and coming soon, Austin.

About Epsilon

Epsilon is a global technology, data, and services company that the world’s leading brands use to harmonize consumer engagement across their paid, owned, and earned channels.

The Epsilon PeopleCloud platform includes capabilities such as data, identity resolution, customer data platforms, clean rooms, digital media, retail media, site personalization, direct mail, loyalty, email marketing, and measurement. By applying artificial intelligence against privacy-centric identity resolution—embedded in data-enriched analytic, marketing, and media solutions and services—Epsilon allows marketers to bridge the divide between marketing and advertising technology, engaging consumers with 1 View, 1 Vision, and 1 Voice. For more information, visit www.epsilon.com.

Media Contact

Meg Adrion, Micro Center, 1 614-850-3000, madrion@microcenter.com, microcenter.com
Dan Ackerman, Micro Center, dackerman@microcenter.com, microcenter.com

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/micro-center-launches-retail-media-offering-to-reach-tech-enthusiasts-and-builders-302755943.html

SOURCE Micro Center

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