by Ferry Bayu | Sep 2, 2024 | Business
Asuene APAC participated in the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) meeting held on Wednesday, August 21, in Indonesia, which includes Japan and ASEAN countries.
At the pivotal Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) meeting, Asuene APAC and Dasar Consulting SDN.BHD. of Malaysia, a key player in ESG consulting and workshops, joined forces. This momentous collaboration is set to significantly advance ESG initiatives in Sarawak, Malaysia.
Through this partnership, we aim to promote the adoption of the “ASUENE” a carbon accounting platform, as well as the “ASUENE ESG” evaluation cloud service among local companies in Malaysia, particularly in Sarawak, thereby contributing to the advancement of decarbonization and ESG management in the region.
About AZEC
The Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) is a decarbonization cooperation framework led by Japan, partnering with 11 countries, including Australia and Southeast Asian nations. On August 21, the second ministerial meeting was held in Jakarta, Indonesia, with Japan represented by Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Koichi Hagiuda. The meeting adopted a joint statement reaffirming AZEC’s principles, including “Net Zero through Diverse Pathways” and “Simultaneous Realization of Decarbonization, Economic Growth, and Energy Security.” The statement also agreed on sector-specific initiatives aimed at decarbonizing the power, transportation, and industrial sectors over the next decade.
During the meeting, approximately 70 new cooperation projects were agreed upon between AZEC member countries and Japanese companies. Asuene was represented by Masaaki Hamada, Country Manager and Director of Asuene APAC, who also signed the MOU with Dasar Consulting.
Background of the Partnership
In the Asia-Pacific region, including Southeast Asia, the push for decarbonization is gaining momentum. The Malaysian government’s ambitious goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and the announcement of the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) in 2023 underscore this commitment. Against this backdrop, Asuene APAC and Dasar Consulting saw an opportunity to collaborate and promote ESG initiatives in Sarawak, Malaysia.
Among Malaysian states, Sarawak is a leader in renewable energy, hydroelectric power, and decarbonization efforts. With 13 industrial parks within its borders, the need for decarbonization and ESG initiatives among companies in the state is growing.
On the momentous occasion of the AZEC meeting, Asuene APAC and Dasar Consulting, headquartered in Sarawak, Malaysia, joined hands in a significant partnership. This collaboration is a testament to our shared commitment to promoting ESG initiatives in the state, and we are excited to embark on this journey together.
Details of the Partnership
“ASUENE” offers a comprehensive carbon accounting platform across the entire supply chain for companies and municipalities in accordance with the GHG Protocol’s Scope 1-3. Additionally, we provide a sustainability consulting service. Our strength lies in delivering these comprehensive one-stop solutions for decarbonization, providing companies with the tools and support they need to advance their decarbonization management with confidence.
Dasar Consulting supports decarbonization and ESG management for Malaysian companies by offering ESG consulting and workshops.
Through this partnership, we will promote the adoption of the “ASUENE” a carbon accounting platform, as well as the “ASUENE ESG” evaluation cloud service in Sarawak, Malaysia. This initiative holds the potential to significantly impact corporate decarbonization in the state and expand support for decarbonization and ESG management across Asia from our APAC base, fostering a brighter, more sustainable future.
About Dasar Consulting
Company Name: Dasar Consulting SDN.BHD.
Representative: Managing Director Charles Liew
Headquarters: 1st Floor, Lot 12164, Block 16, KCLD, Jalan Song, Kuching, Sarawak 93350.
This Press Release has also been published on VRITIMES
by Ferry Bayu | Aug 31, 2024 | Business
Total Cleanz Singapore, August 30, 2024 — Total Cleanz Singapore is proud to announce the launch of its new e-commerce platform, Total Cleanz Shop, on September 1, 2024. This dedicated online platform will provide customers with a convenient way to purchase a range of cleaning solutions, products, and general cleaning services at their fingertips. The website is live at totalcleanzshop.com.
With the increasing demand for a seamless and efficient shopping experience, Total Cleanz Shop is set to meet the needs of the new generation of consumers who prefer quick transactions without the need for lengthy communications. This platform is an extension of the company’s commitment to enhancing customer experience by integrating its cleaning solutions and services into one easily accessible online space.
Key Features and Benefits
- Convenience and Accessibility. Customers can effortlessly browse and purchase cleaning products and book general cleaning services through the user-friendly e-commerce platform.
- Diverse Product Range. While the platform is currently building its inventory, it will continuously expand to offer a wider variety of cleaning solutions, tools, and accessories.
- Enhanced User Experience. The platform allows for quick and easy purchasing without the need for direct communication, streamlining the buying process.
“Total Cleanz Shop represents a significant step forward in our mission to adapt to the evolving needs of our customers/clients,” said Cheryl Chan, founder of Total Cleanz Singapore. “By creating this platform, we are making it easier for our customers to access our products and services anytime, anywhere. We believe this will transform how consumers engage with our offerings.”
Addressing Market Needs
Total Cleanz Shop addresses the growing trend among consumers to seek convenient, online purchasing options that save time and reduce the need for in-person or telephonic interactions. Total Cleanz is leveraging this e-commerce platform to extend its reach and tap into new market opportunities, including expanding its product line to serve the home living sector better.
This Press Release has also been published on VRITIMES
by Ferry Bayu | Aug 28, 2024 | Business
This is the second part of the four-part series Empowering Vulnerable Populations through Media and Information Literacy. This article shows how Media and Information Literacy (MIL) protects senior citizens by empowering them to navigate digital information safely and confidently, avoiding misinformation and online scams.
Understanding the Vulnerability of Senior Citizens
Senior citizens often face unique challenges in testing the waters of the digital world. These challenges include:
- Usually, they have limited digital skills. As the saying goes, you can’t teach old dogs new tricks.
- They also face technological barriers and low technological literacy
- Sadly, they suffer from age-related cognitive decline, which can make them more susceptible to misinformation and online scams.
Unfortunately, these threats are real. They can have devastating consequences, from financial loss to compromised health decisions. For these reasons, even if the challenges mentioned earlier persist, it has to be addressed because, in this modern digital age, no one should be left behind.
MIL: A Key Tool for Protecting Seniors
Media and Information Literacy (MIL) is crucial to prepare seniors with the skills they need to thrive in the digital age. Remember, they need extra help since they may have may be slower in adapting to new technology.
However, adaptation to MIL education could bring out positive results despite their old age. MIL enhances their critical thinking and analytical abilities. This could help them discern credible sources. In addition, this also allows them to distinguish between facts and fiction. Furthermore, It also boosts their confidence in navigating digital platforms, enabling them to stay connected and access essential services.
Do you remember the challenges mentioned earlier? It could all be prevented once our senior citizens are taught how to use technology such as search engines and social media.
Strategies for Enhancing MIL in Seniors
There are actionable steps that could help our senior citizens to sharpen their MIL skills. These recommendations include:
- Fact-Checking: Understand that fake news or misinformation may be a new concept to them. So, it is best to educate them on that matter. To help them verify claims, encourage them to utilize reliable fact-checking websites like Snopes or FactCheck.org to verify information.
- Recognizing Bias: Teach seniors to identify media bias and approach information with a critical eye. They have to understand that media distribution nowadays is democratized. Hence, they are different from the traditional media where there are institutions that check and balance the contents. In these new decentralized platforms, it is hard to determine whether they educate or entertain. Nonetheless, seniors should be taught to question the validity of the content they consume.
- Evaluating Sources: Provide seniors with tools and techniques for assessing the credibility of sources. In this way they could avoid the online scams or any fake news that targets them.
Community Support and Practical Approaches
On one hand, community programs and resources play a crucial role in promoting MIL among seniors. Programs such as workshops, training sessions, and interactive apps can help them develop digital literacy and critical thinking skills.
On the other hand, collaboration with family members and caregivers can also provide additional support and encouragement.
Successful MIL Initiatives for Seniors
Initiatives like the Transitions and Elpida Project and SUM (Seniors United Against Misinformation) have demonstrated the effectiveness of MIL training for seniors. These programs empower seniors to resist misinformation and engage critically with the media.
Conclusion
Media and information literacy not only make our seniors informed about modern trends but also safeguard seniors from online threats. As a result, it enables them to participate fully in the digital world. By prioritizing MIL education for this vulnerable population, we can have a safer, more connected, and more informed community. In other words, the digital space should be as safe and inclusive as possible.
This Press Release has also been published on VRITIMES
by Ferry Bayu | Aug 25, 2024 | Advocacy
The Adventures of Damgo: Betta and the Dry Lands, written by 16-year-old Nikki Go, is now available from www.bookshelf.com.ph. This book features artwork by pediatric cancer patients.
As the country gets ready to celebrate National Heroes Day on August 26 (yes, a long weekend is here again), we meet a new set of heroes.
As Arizona Robbins from Grey’s Anatomy said, “not all heroes wear capes. Some happen to be tiny humans.” Now, another teenager and her friends set out to create a lasting impact in the Philippine arts and culture space by publishing the first book of the ongoing children’s book series, The Adventures of Damgo: Betta and the Dry Lands.
At just 16 years old, Jacqueline Dominique “Nikki” Go is already creating heroic contributions to art and pediatric cancer communities.
As the founder of the Damgo Art Therapy Foundation and the author of The Adventures of Damgo, Nikki’s journey starts with a love for family and art.
Nikki’s artistic interests began in early childhood, nurtured by supportive parents who, despite not being artists themselves, recognized and cultivated their daughter’s creative talents. “I’ve always felt happiest when I get lost creating art,” Nikki shares.
This passion for art, however, was juxtaposed against a backdrop of loss and heartache as cancer took the lives of several close family members. “Cancer is hereditary, and I have it on both sides of my family. I’ve lost 3 uncles to cancer, and my grandma and aunt are survivors,” Nikki recounts.
These experiences naturally fueled her curiosity and empathy toward cancer patients and survivors, eventually leading her to establish the Damgo Art Therapy Foundation. Like most youth-led initiatives, the foundation originated from Nikki’s 8th-grade school project aimed at contributing to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
While her peers focused on themes like poverty and sustainability, Nikki chose to explore the impact of art on mental well-being, particularly among teenagers. “I saw a huge lift in happiness when teenagers were exposed to art,” Nikki explains. This discovery ignited a deeper inquiry into the beneficiaries of art therapy, ultimately guiding her to Bahay Aruga, a halfway home for pediatric cancer patients.
“When I approached Bahay Aruga, I wanted to offer something more valuable than monetary donations. Something that would have a lasting positive effect on the patients… art therapy had that effect,” says Nikki.
The Damgo Art Therapy Foundation was born out of this desire, and it quickly became hope for young cancer patients. Through art therapy sessions, Nikki witnessed firsthand the transformative power of creativity. “One of my students said that she ‘couldn’t believe she is able to paint the things she’s done.’ She told me how she looked forward to our art therapy sessions, and she carries this feeling when she goes for treatment.”
Inspired by the children’s resilience and imagination, Nikki penned The Adventures of Damgo, a series that takes cancer patients on a cosmic journey filled with limitless possibilities. “I hope that through these stories, children all over the country and the world become inspired to dream big and help each other overcome any obstacle,” Nikki says. “Damgo, in Cebuano, also means dream.”
The book’s impact has been profound, forging deep connections between the young artists and the community that supports them. Tragically, two of the contributing artists, Richard and Ralph, passed away before the book’s completion. Yet, their legacy lives on through their artwork and the positive influence the project had on their lives.
“Remembering the moments with Richard, he remarked how he loves the art therapy sessions because it takes his mind off the pain, even for a few hours,” Nikki reflects. “Meanwhile, Ralph was that one student who didn’t miss a single week’s lesson. He loved the art therapy sessions! He told me that he loved to paint Damgo’s adventures because it makes him imagine that he too, can one day go outside the country and see unbelievable sights.”
Publishing the first book is just the start of Nikki’s big plans for the Damgo Art Therapy Foundation. With two more books in development and a growing partnership with the International School Manila’s Visual Arts Club, the foundation is poised to continue its mission of providing joy and comfort to pediatric cancer patients.
“In the future, I hope to see more innovation in the art therapy execution, and more adventures of Damgo,” Nikki says. “Excited for book 2!”
This Press Release has also been published on VRITIMES
by Ferry Bayu | Aug 23, 2024 | Business
Asuene APAC has signed a partnership agreement with Green Frog Innovation, an innovation company providing ESG consulting services in Thailand. Together, we will empower local companies in Thailand by providing ‘ASUENE,’ a leading carbon accounting platform, alongside our comprehensive decarbonization solutions.
Asuene APAC is thrilled to announce the establishment of a strategic partnership with Green Frog Innovation, an innovative ESG consulting firm located in Thailand.
This collaboration will launch Asuene’s holistic decarbonization solutions, including the “Asuene” carbon accounting platform, to the Thai market and enhance our ability to support local clients on their decarbonization journey. This partnership with Green Frog Innovation marks a significant step in driving sustainability and expanding Asuene’s presence across the APAC region.
Background of the Partnership
Interest in corporate decarbonization is increasing in APAC, particularly in Southeast Asia, leading to a surge in demand for CO2 emissions visualization and reduction.
Thailand is highly committed to addressing climate change. Despite not being obligated to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under the Kyoto Protocol, Thailand has established the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (TGO) and has begun developing action plans for greenhouse gas reduction. Additionally, Thailand is a hub for production and export for many businesses. Many companies that trade with the EU are required to comply with the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). Since 2021, the disclosure of ESG information has been mandated in annual reports (One Report).
By forming a partnership between Asuene and Green Frog Innovation, which has a close connection and collaboration with the Thai industry and TGO, key drivers of decarbonization efforts in Thailand, we aim to advance decarbonization management for companies in Thailand and the APAC region.
Details of Partnership Agreement
“ASUENE” offers a carbon accounting platform across the entire supply chain for companies and municipalities, in accordance with the GHG Protocol’s Scope 1-3. Additionally, we provide SX consulting services. Our strength lies in delivering comprehensive one-stop solutions for decarbonization, supporting companies in advancing their decarbonization management.
Green Frog Innovation provides strategic business advisory, ESG consulting, and connection to innovative climate technology solutions for companies in Thailand.
Through this partnership, we will enter into a business alliance for client referrals, enabling both companies to collaborate and support APAC businesses in achieving net zero.
Comment from Mr. Thanes, Representative of Green Frog Innovation
Asuene has shown remarkable growth and achievements over the past five years since its founding, proving itself to be a reliable climate tech company. It has established itself as an industry leader, helping its clients accelerate their decarbonization efforts. Asuene’s corporate philosophy aligns perfectly with Green Frog Innovation’s mission of accelerating Thailand’s journey towards decarbonization and providing effective solutions to our clients through technology. By leveraging Green Frog Innovation’s expertise and extensive network with Thai companies, this partnership will provide Asuene with a strong foothold in Thailand.
Green Frog Innovation Company Profile
Company name: Green Frog
InnovationRepresentative: Founder & MD Thanes Rajatapiti
This Press Release has also been published on VRITIMES
Total Cleanz Singapore, August 30, 2024 — 
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