Latest news with #FSC
Leader Live
2 hours ago
- Business
- Leader Live
Planet Mark certification for Chirk-based manufacturer
Kings Award winning, timber manufacturer Archwood Group in Chirk, behind the Richard Burbidge and Atkinson & Kirby brands, has achieved Year 4 Certification from Planet Mark - which verifies carbon reporting and recognises year-on-year progress. This marks the fourth consecutive year of independent carbon footprint measurement for the Group, reinforcing its commitment to achieving Net Zero by 2050. Since first partnering with Planet Mark in 2021, Archwood has delivered a 73% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions versus its baseline year. Read more: 'Wrexham has no plan' - Chief warns risk of speculative housing developments As part of its Year 4 certification, Archwood has reported a further reduction in operational emissions, cutting Scope 1 and 2 emissions (different categories of greenhouse gas) by 18.3% compared to the previous year. These reductions have been driven by continued investment in on-site solar power, renewable energy supply, energy efficiency projects and new machinery across its Chirk and Livingston sites. The Group continues to lead on sustainable manufacturing through a series of targeted initiatives, including: • A 1MW solar PV installation, now supplying over 40% of the company's electricity; • A long-term Power Purchase Agreement for 100% renewable energy from UK sources; • Upgrading 95% of its forklift truck fleet to zero-emission electric vehicles; • Improvements to energy efficiency across machinery and site infrastructure. In addition to operational emissions, Archwood is actively addressing its Scope 3 footprint, which accounts for 95% of total carbon emissions. A recent reassessment showed a 46.8% reduction in Scope 3 emissions over two reporting periods. The business continues to work closely with key timber and logistics suppliers to support them in developing formal carbon reduction plans. Currently, 98% of timber used is FSC and/or PEFC certified, with a target of reaching 100% by 2027. Read more: Josh Burbidge, managing director of Archwood Group, said: "Securing our Year 4 Planet Mark certification reflects the real, measurable progress we're making. We know that sustainability is now a business-critical priority - for our customers, our suppliers, and ourselves. We're committed to leading by example through verified action, not just ambition. "Planet Mark doesn't just validate our carbon reductions - it connects us to meaningful environmental partnerships. Through our certification, we're proud to support Cool Earth, a charity that works with rainforest communities to halt deforestation, and the Eden Project, which educates and inspires people to work towards a more sustainable future." With four consecutive certifications now achieved, Archwood continues to set a benchmark in the timber manufacturing sector - combining environmental leadership with operational efficiency, supply chain collaboration, and long-term commercial resilience.
Cision Canada
6 days ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
Seizing Canada's moment: Future Skills Centre announces $7.6 million investment in building skills and workforce resilience Français
TORONTO, June 16, 2025 /CNW/ - The Future Skills Centre (FSC) is driving innovation in skills development to help move the country forward through a $7.6 million investment funded by the Government of Canada's Future Skills program in 35 new projects to ensure Canada has a strong workforce for a resilient economy. With rapid economic shifts and the need for modernization of skills training, the FSC will invest in bold new ideas, scaling up proven solutions, and sharing insights across sectors and regions — so that Canada has people with the right skills, in the right places, at the right time. "This is Canada's moment to lead," says Noel Baldwin, FSC's Executive Director. "We see the challenges ahead – technological disruption, demographic shifts, global uncertainty – and we invest in workers and employers to build long-term, evidence-based solutions that will safeguard our future workforce. That's where FSC brings unique value." The new projects include both early-stage innovations and ready-to-launch programs that tackle today's most urgent skills challenges. They explore new ways to equip workers with green skills, strengthen digital and soft skills, support transitions to in-demand jobs, and help employers train and retain resilient teams. All funded projects align with the focus areas the Centre believes will support Canada's prosperity. "A strong Canada relies on a skilled workforce. To build the fastest growing economy in the G7, Canadians need skills training solutions that ensure they are ready for the careers of today and the future. Through these investments, over 103,000 Canadians across the country have gained access to skills training and employment opportunities that equip them to thrive in a rapidly evolving world," says Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario. FSC's impact reaches every province, territory and sector. The centre anticipates where the labour market is headed so Canadians can be ready, works on solutions to stay competitive and grows partnerships to achieve change in the labour market for the better. FSC has secured funding until March 2027 and will continue informing policy and practice and supporting employers, workers and practitioners as they adapt to change. FSC is founded by a consortium whose members are Toronto Metropolitan University, Blueprint, and The Conference Board of Canada. 35 new projects being launched. Quick Facts FSC is awarding $7.6 million in funding to 35 new projects selected from more than 780 ideas submitted through the Skills Horizon open call for proposals to support an inclusive future of work. Through our new Designing Solutions initiative, FSC is working directly with 10 partner organizations to co-design community-rooted, skills-based interventions that bring promising ideas to life. Over the past six years FSC has invested $286 million in 390+ research and pilot projects to help workers, employers and policymakers meet the challenges of our evolving economy. 2,900+ project partners from coast-to-coast-to-coast are actively working with FSC to test solutions, further skills research and share insights through knowledge mobilization 103,000+ people have received hands-on training and/or new job opportunities through FSC-funded projects. 74% of projects support underserved groups including Black youth, Indigenous Peoples, and newcomers to Canada. About FSC The Future Skills Centre (FSC) is a forward-thinking centre for research and collaboration dedicated to driving innovation in skills development so that everyone in Canada can be prepared for the future of work. We partner with policymakers, researchers, practitioners, employers and labour groups, and post-secondary institutions to solve pressing labour market challenges and ensure that everyone can benefit from relevant lifelong learning opportunities. We are founded by a consortium whose members are Toronto Metropolitan University, Blueprint, and The Conference Board of Canada, and are funded by the Government of Canada's Future Skills Program.
Indian Express
14-06-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Fire safety fail: Delhi Police HQ, two govt hospitals denied safety certificates
Pointing out shortcomings and non-compliance with key fire safety norms, the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) has denied fire safety certificates (FSCs) to the Delhi Police Headquarters and two government hospitals — Lok Nayak and Dr BR Ambedkar hospitals — officials said Friday. In its official communication to the police headquarters and the two healthcare facilities, the DFS stated that the deficiencies were observed during inspections conducted by its officers in May and June. The department added that renewal of the FSC cannot be considered until the shortcomings are rectified. The 17-storey Delhi Police HQ on Jai Singh Road had applied for FSC renewal on April 21. Following a joint inspection with Delhi Police personnel on May 30, the DFS identified at least four critical violations. 'Fire-check door has been replaced by a normal glass door on 17th floor; door closers found removed from some fire-check doors, which makes pressurisation ineffective; pressurisation (system) in lift lobby also found removed on 17th floor,' according to the communication sent to the headquarters on June 5. It also stated that there is a reception desk in the lift lobby area, which is not allowed. In the letter to Lok Nayak Hospital dated May 30, the DFS stated that during their visit, officials found several shortcomings in the Casualty OPD, Surgical Block, Ortho Block, and New Special Wards. It was stated that one staircase in the Surgical Block was blocked by waste items/ materials, which could pose as an obstacle during the evacuation of occupants/patients in the event of an emergency. In the Ortho Block, a six-metre road all around the building for fire tender movement was found encroached by parking, sheds, and tree branches. In the New Special Ward, the DFS found that the lift fireman switch was non-functional, the door closer was removed from some fire-check doors, and hoses and branches were missing in some hydrant boxes. In a letter dated June 11, the DFS also denied FSC renewal to Ambedkar Hospital in Rohini's Sector 6. This comes after a site inspection on May 24 revealed continued non-compliance with previously stipulated safety conditions. The DFS letter cited several major shortcomings: alternate exits on all floors of the ward block were found permanently locked and obstructed with storage material and condemned items; sprinklers were missing across the central block; and the fire control room was found to be disorganised and poorly managed. Despite the hospital having over 500 beds, no fire safety officer had been appointed as required by fire safety regulations, the letter mentioned. Additionally, the manual fire alarm system was either absent or non-functional in several parts of the hospital, raising serious concerns about the facility's preparedness in the event of a fire emergency. The hospital had previously been issued an FSC in March 2022, which has now been revoked due to continued non-compliance. 'The hospital has not yet complied with condition no. 8 of the previous FSC… and your request for renewal of FSC is rejected under sub-rule (3),' Chief Fire Officer Virendra Singh stated in the letter. (with PTI inputs)
Hindustan Times
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Delhi Police HQ, LNJP Hospital denied fire safety clearance
The Delhi Fire Services (DFS) has denied fire safety certificate (FSC) renewals to two major public buildings this month — the Delhi Police Headquarters on Jai Singh Marg and Lok Nayak Hospital near Delhi Gate — citing violations of prescribed fire safety norms. This is the first time the Delhi Police HQ has been denied a fire No-Objection Certificate (NOC), while Lok Nayak's application has been turned down twice this year after inspections revealed multiple lapses. The denials come amid heightened scrutiny of fire preparedness in public institutions, following a spate of hospital and industrial fires earlier this year. As reported by Hindustan Times on May 22, the DFS had also rejected FSC renewals for Ambedkar Nagar Hospital, Bhagwan Mahavir Hospital, and two AIIMS blocks. Under the Delhi Fire Services Rules, 2010, public and commercial buildings must renew their fire clearance every three years. DFS officials said inspections were carried out meticulously, and notices with rectification advice were sent to both the police and hospital administrations. Once the deficiencies are addressed, fresh inspections can be requested in the coming days or months. Flagship police HQ fails fire audit The Delhi Police Headquarters, a 17-storey twin-tower complex inaugurated in 2019 by Union home minister Amit Shah, is the force's first purpose-built headquarters after decades in rented buildings. Located on an 8-acre plot near Connaught Place, it houses the offices of the commissioner, special commissioners, control rooms, social media and surveillance units, and critical intelligence wings. In May, DFS officials, along with Delhi Police staff, carried out an inspection in response to a renewal request submitted on April 21. A detailed report dated June 5 flagged at least five major deficiencies, most notably the replacement of mandated fire check doors on the 17th floor with ordinary glass doors, and the removal of door closers — a combination that compromised the lift lobby's pressurization system. 'Fire check door has been replaced with normal glass door at the 17th floor and door closers also found removed… which make the pressurization ineffective,' the report noted. It also cited the absence of a reception at the lift lobby and non-functional smoke detectors at several locations, significantly weakening emergency preparedness. 'These lapses directly affect the containment of smoke and fire in an emergency,' said a senior DFS official. 'A high-rise like the police HQ must meet the highest standards — anything less is a risk to life and property.' Responding to the denial of fire safety clearance, a Delhi Police spokesperson said the issues raised were 'minor errors which are being rectified', and confirmed that corrective work was already underway. 'There's no permanent denial. It's only a report on what all needs to be fixed,' the officer added. Persistent lapses at Lok Nayak Hospital The Lok Nayak Hospital, one of the Capital's busiest government-run facilities, fared worse in fire inspections. It first applied for FSC renewal in March-April this year, but was denied in April due to non-compliance. A second application submitted in May was rejected on May 30, following another round of inspections that found persistent and, in some cases, worsening deficiencies. DFS officials said their inspection uncovered lapses across the casualty OPD, surgical block, ortho block, and new special ward — with some violations posing 'serious threats' to patient and staff safety. In the surgical block and casualty OPD, access roads needed for fire tender movement were either inadequately marked or obstructed by construction material. A staircase in the surgical block was found blocked by waste and debris — a major evacuation hazard in case of fire. Fire hoses and branches were missing from hydrant boxes, while on some floors, firefighting systems had been deactivated due to ongoing renovations. In the ortho block, access roads were obstructed by parked vehicles and encroachments. Overgrown trees further impeded movement, fire officials said. The inspection report also recorded non-functional fire detection and manual call point (MCP) systems, diesel pump engines not in auto mode, and missing fireman switches in hospital lifts — all essential components for early response in case of fire. In the new special ward, officials found missing or incomplete hydrant boxes and door closers. Several areas were undergoing civil work without adequate fire safety backup, the DFS noted. 'These are not just technicalities — these lapses could prove fatal in a real emergency,' said a senior fire official. 'Hospitals must remain operationally safe even during renovations. That's a basic regulatory expectation.' Repeated attempts to reach the Lok Nayak Hospital administration for a statement were unsuccessful. Calls and messages went unanswered. Institutional apathy or systemic lag? Fire safety experts and public health advocates say the spate of FSC denials reflects a deeper structural problem — lack of routine compliance and inadequate investment in fire infrastructure. 'Institutional apathy is a real issue,' said one former DFS chief, adding that while inspections are becoming more rigorous, many public buildings still treat fire audits as a formality. 'There's also a shortage of trained fire safety officers in many institutions, which leads to poor maintenance and reactive compliance.' A senior government official who oversees urban safety policy acknowledged that delays in budget approvals and lack of coordination between departments often slow down fire preparedness upgrades in public buildings. 'There's also the issue of legacy buildings that were constructed decades ago without modern fire planning,' the official said. 'Retrofitting them is time-consuming and expensive — but unavoidable.' The DFS, meanwhile, has begun increasing scrutiny of FSC applications, with more stringent inspections and cross-verification. Officials said they plan to re-inspect several hospitals and police buildings over the next few months and have issued advisories to all major government institutions. 'If even the Capital's most high-profile public buildings cannot maintain basic fire safety, that's a serious red flag,' said a fire safety consultant. 'This isn't just about paperwork — it's about whether public institutions can protect lives.'
Bloomberg
11-06-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Taiwan to Restrict Hostile Takeovers in Crowded Financial Sector
Taiwan regulators announced plans to effectively block hostile takeovers in the island's crowded financial sector, months after preventing a roughly $4.1 billion deal that would have created Taiwan's largest financial group. The Financial Supervisory Commission will amend rules to close the door to non-consensual mergers and acquisitions to ensure market stability, it said in a statement late Tuesday. In the future, acquiring financial firms must get a board resolution from the target company indicating no objection, or show that they can secure a majority of shares or board seats to complete the acquisition, the FSC said.
