Media OutReach
A Majority of Businesses Intrigued by the Potential of AI in Achieving Sustainability Goals Whilst Energy Consumption Concerns Persist
More than one in two organizations acknowledge gap in understanding how digital technology can facilitate achieving sustainability goals
HANGZHOU, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 March 2025 – Over three quarters of businesses (76%) across Asia, Europe and the Middle East are intrigued by the potential of digital technologies, including AI and cloud computing in driving sustainable development, according to the latest survey report titled “Tech-Driven Sustainability Trends and Index 2024”, commissioned by Alibaba Cloud, the digital technology and intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group. However, the substantial energy consumption associated with these technologies is still reflecting a key barrier to broader adoption, as 61% of respondents still express concerns over the matter.
This interest in the potential of AI, cloud computing and other advanced digital technologies to support sustainable development varies across regions, with emerging Asian markets leading the way (83%), followed closely by the Middle East (78%), Europe (74%), and developed Asian markets (72%). Notably, the Philippines (91%), Singapore (84%), Indonesia (81%), and Thailand (81%), demonstrate particularly high interest.
Regional Variations in AI Adoption and Sustainability Efforts
Despite this optimism, 59% businesses acknowledge gap in understanding how digital technology can assist in achieving sustainability goals with Asia leading at 63%, followed by Europe at 61% and the Middle East at 45%. Around two thirds (62%) of executives believe their organizations are lagging in adopting cloud computing and AI to accelerate progress towards sustainability goals. This concern is particularly noted in Singapore (80%), the Philippines (77%), and Japan (75%) and Hong Kong SAR (75%), indicating a pressing need for organizations to accelerate their technological adoption to advance sustainability.
Overall, 82% of businesses agree that sustainable development in technology is paramount for their companies, with markets like Singapore (93%), the Philippines (91%), and Indonesia (89%) leading the charge. Companies increasingly recognize the multifaceted benefits of adopting digital technologies for sustainability including cost savings, improved operational efficiencies, and enhanced compliance with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) regulations.
AI and machine learning are viewed as the most crucial digital technologies for advancing corporate sustainability, with businesses in the Middle East (52%) placing greater emphasis on their importance compared to Europe (41%), emerging Asian markets (40%) and developed Asian markets (36%). Meanwhile, 81% of businesses feel human oversight is needed in guiding the development of digital technologies, including AI tools with the Middle East feel the strongest at 91%, followed by emerging Asian markets at 83%, Europe at 82% and developed Asian markets at 74%.
However, the survey reveals a notable concern: 61% of respondents fear that the high energy consumption associated with digital technologies may hinder widespread AI adoption. This concern is even higher in Singapore (85%), the Philippines (77%) and Hong Kong SAR (75%). Furthermore, 71% of businesses believe that the substantial energy consumption of digital technologies such as powering AI may outweigh its benefits with the highest concerns from Singapore (86%), the Philippines (84%) and Malaysia (81%).
The report also highlights the importance of selecting technology providers that prioritize sustainability. When selecting a “green” cloud provider, approximately half of businesses prioritize those that use renewable energy (51%), maintain energy-efficient data centers (46%), and implement carbon footprint reduction initiatives (42%).
Commitment to Green AI and Open-source Innovation
“With feedback from decision-makers across 13 markets, the survey report sheds light on the current attitudes and challenges businesses face in adopting AI and cloud computing for sustainability,” said Selina Yuan, President of International Business, Alibaba Cloud Intelligence. “At Alibaba Cloud, we are committed to supporting businesses on their sustainability journeys with scalable and sustainable solutions. By pledging to use 100% clean energy by 2030 and improving the energy efficiency at our global data centers, as well as optimizing Generative AI capabilities such as large language models (LLMs) performance, AI can be a powerful tool to improve efficiency and optimize energy consumption.”
Alibaba Cloud has made notable progress in its green cloud initiatives. In the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024, the average power usage effectiveness (PUE) of the company’s self-built data centers improved to 1.200 from 1.215 the year before, with 56% of the electricity consumed coming from clean sources. Additionally, Alibaba’s green computing infrastructure has enabled clients to reduce their emissions by 9.884 million tons, a remarkable increase of 44% year-on-year.
In addition, Alibaba Cloud is at the forefront of democratizing AI through its open-source initiatives, making advanced AI technologies accessible and affordable for businesses of all sizes. By releasing cutting-edge open-source models from its proprietary large language model Qwen family, including Qwen2.5-VL and Qwen2.5-1M and its video foundation model Tongyi Wanxiang (Wan), Alibaba Cloud empowers developers to create task-specific AI applications that are both efficient and cost-effective. These open-source models have already inspired over 100,000 derivative models on Hugging Face, showcasing their global adoption and versatility. By promoting smaller parameter models, Alibaba Cloud reduces the cost and energy consumption of AI training and deployment, fostering a collaborative ecosystem that drives energy-efficient innovation.
Surveying 1,300 decision-makers across 13 markets, “Tech-Driven Sustainability Trends and Index 2024” aims to provide valuable insights into the evolving landscape of corporate sustainability. The survey report underscores the essential role of technology in driving impactful change, while highlighting the need for businesses to adopt AI and cloud computing responsibly to address energy consumption concerns and bridge the gap in sustainability efforts.
About the Survey
Alibaba Cloud’s “Tech-Driven Sustainability Trends and Index 2024” was independently conducted by Yonder Consulting, a business consulting firm, with advisory, design and analytical support from The Purpose Business, a sustainability consultancy. The survey collected feedback from May 10 to June 19, 2024, involving 1,300 business leaders and senior management from various industries, including technology and communications, finance, infrastructure, renewable resources, healthcare, transportation, retail, and manufacturing.
Respondents were located across 13 markets in Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, Singapore and South Korea), Europe (France, Germany, and United Kingdom), and the Middle East (Saudi Arabia and the UAE). In this survey, developed Asian markets refer to Hong Kong SAR, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea, while emerging Asian markets include Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand.
Hashtag: #AlibabaCloud
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Alibaba Cloud
Established in 2009, Alibaba Cloud (www.alibabacloud.com) is the digital technology and intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group. It offers a complete suite of cloud services to customers worldwide, including elastic computing, database, storage, network virtualization services, large-scale computing, security, big data analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) services. Alibaba has been named the leading IaaS provider in Asia Pacific by revenue in U.S. dollars since 2018, according to Gartner. It has also maintained its position as one of the world’s leading public cloud IaaS service providers since 2018, according to IDC.
Media OutReach
PTT Oil and Retail Business Posts Record Q1 2025 Profit, Extends Regional Growth with ESG-Led Expansion
The company posted THB 182.4 billion in revenue for the quarter, with net profit rising to THB 4.38 billion—a 46% increase from the previous quarter and 17.6% higher year-on-year. EBITDA climbed to THB 6.48 billion, up 32.7% quarter-on-quarter and 5.0% year-on-year, driven by gains in its Global and Lifestyle businesses alongside cost discipline and margin improvements in key segments.
Higher gross profit per liter and operational efficiency, particularly in Laos, the Philippines, and Cambodia, helped lift EBITDA by THB 311 million compared to the same period last year. Consumer resilience and sharper cost control also buoyed margins in OR’s Lifestyle segment. While Mobility margins were pressured by softer spreads—especially in aviation fuel—overall performance held firm on reduced personnel and outsourcing costs.
Equity investment gains added THB 657 million, contributing to the bottom line and further affirming the group’s diversified growth engine.
“This quarter’s performance reflects the resilience of our business model and the clarity of our long-term direction,” said M.L. Peekthong Thongyai, Chief Executive Officer of OR. “We are expanding with purpose—delivering value for people, prosperity for communities, and care for the planet.”
At the center of that strategy is OR’s People-Performance-Planet framework, which underpins its approach to investment, innovation, and regional growth.
The expansion of EV Station PluZ, now present in all 77 provinces of Thailand, underscores the company’s commitment to clean mobility. At the same time, OR’s signature brand Café Amazon continues to scale across Southeast Asia, with 391 outlets outside Thailand and over 112 million cups sold in Q1 alone.
OR’s Global Business segment reported a 30.8% year-on-year increase in sales volume, with EBITDA rising 81.5%. The company now operates 415 PTT Stations and 391 Café Amazon outlets across Asia, including Cambodia, Laos, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Japan
“This isn’t just about selling fuel or coffee,” Peekthong said. “It’s about building platforms that empower local economies, foster entrepreneurship, and deliver long-term, sustainable growth.”
The strategy echoes OR’s “They Grow, We Grow” philosophy, which emphasizes empowering local partners as the foundation of international expansion.
Outside the energy sphere, OR continues to sharpen its lifestyle and digital businesses. Non-oil operations contributed 27.5% of Q1 EBITDA, led by strong performance in retail, food & beverage, and franchising. The company is also investing in circular economy models, digital platforms, and sustainable products to reinforce long-term value creation.
Looking ahead, OR is positioning for entry into the virtual banking sector, leveraging its wide-reaching commercial network and extensive customer database to offer personalized, accessible financial services. The move is seen as a natural extension of its strategy to become a daily-life platform for consumers.
The company’s financial health remains solid. TRIS Rating reaffirmed OR’s corporate credit rating at AA+ with a stable outlook for the third consecutive year, reflecting both financial discipline and strategic continuity.
Armed with that momentum, OR is pushing deeper into ASEAN and new frontier markets through a blend of organic expansion, joint ventures, and strategic alliances. The ambition to transform from a national champion into a future-ready regional enterprise at the nexus of energy, retail, and sustainability.
Hashtag: #OR
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About OR
PTT Oil and Retail Business Public Company Limited (OR) is a leading Thai energy and retail company with operations across 10 countries. OR operates through four core business groups: Mobility Business, providing energy solutions via PTT Station, PTT Lubricants, PTT LPG, and EV Station PluZ; Lifestyle Business, featuring Café Amazon, one of Asia’s largest coffee chains, along with convenience stores and space management; Global Business, driving international growth with over 415 PTT Stations and 391 Café Amazon outlets; and OR Innovation Business, developing new ventures and sustainable solutions through technology and innovation.
This milestone marks a valuable and meaningful step in HeySara’s regional journey, bringing the company’s presence into the vibrant city of Hong Kong! With the integration of ILS (Hong Kong), HeySara strengthens its ability to deliver professional, responsive, and client-focused Corporate & Fiduciary Services across key jurisdictions, including Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Mainland China, the British Virgin Islands (BVI), and the Cayman Islands.
Mr. Ng Su Kai, Founder of HeySara, shared his thoughts on this exciting development:
“We’re absolutely delighted to welcome ILS (Hong Kong) to the HeySara family. This represents a significant step in our regional expansion journey. With our growing footprint across Greater China, we’re better positioned than ever to support our global clients with broader, smarter, and faster corporate service solutions.”
With this acquisition, HeySara now proudly serves more than 2,600 clients worldwide — a reflection of its commitment to making cross-border business setup and growth simpler, smoother, and more human. This partnership is not just about expansion — it’s about unlocking new possibilities, creating meaningful connections, and building a brighter future together.
Hashtag: #HeySara
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About HeySara
HeySara is a next-generation, technology-driven Corporate Service Provider (CSP) dedicated to helping small and medium-sized businesses grow across Asia. Headquartered in Singapore with offices in Malaysia and Hong Kong, HeySara empowers over 2,600 clients worldwide through a unique blend of digital innovation and deep local expertise.
What sets HeySara apart is its comprehensive, one-stop suite of corporate services—including Corporate Secretarial, Accounting, Tax, Human Resource, Immigration, and Audit services.
Whether your business operates in a single market or spans multiple jurisdictions such as Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China, BVI, or the Cayman Islands, HeySara is your trusted partner for seamless cross-border corporate management. To learn more, visit www.heysara.sg.
Media OutReach
INIU to Launch All-New Pocket Rocket P50 on July 7, Redefining Fast-Charging Portability
Measuring just 3.3×2.0×1.0in/ 8.3×5.2×2.6cm and weighing only 5.6oz / 160±10g—roughly the size of two stacked macarons—the Pocket Rocket P50 slips easily into a pocket, handbag, or suitcase corner while delivering powerful output. With 45W fast charging, it powers your phone from low battery to 73% in just 25 minutes.The device also fully recharges in just two hours and can power up to three devices simultaneously, meeting modern demand for fast, multi-device charging on the go.
Packed with cutting-edge tech, the P50 features an upgraded TinyCell Pro battery and the industry’s first multi-tab cell for better heat control and faster, more efficient charging. A high-performance NVIDIA-grade inductor boosts battery life and shrinks overall size—making the power bank lighter and more compact. The ultra-thin 0.5mm Genius display keeps users informed with real-time power. With 18 layers of safety protection, it safeguards your device from overheating, overcharging, and other common risks.
In addition to performance, the P50 excels in energy efficiency and sustainability. Its Tinycell Pro and precision components minimize energy waste and extend lifespan, reducing replacements and electronic waste. The detachable fast-charging cable passed over 11,000 bend tests, and its integrated E-Marker chip ensures stability, wide compatibility, and support for Samsung Super Fast Charge 2.0—ready to use anytime.
Since its founding in 2014, INIU has focused on delivering high-quality portable power solutions and has served over 40 million users across 174 countries and regions. The company has received international accolades such as the iF Design Award, Red Dot Award, and CES Innovation Award. The new P50 is a technological breakthrough and a further step in INIU’s mission to provide reliable energy for users and families worldwide.
As mobile device usage grows, users demand more from their charging gear in terms of performance, portability, and safety. The debut of the Pocket Rocket P50 directly responds to this trend and is set to spark a new global wave in the fast-charging portable power revolution.
Hashtag: #INIU
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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