The European Council announced that it has adopted a directive aimed at protecting consumers from misleading green claims and other greenwashing practices, including banning unverified generic environmental claims such as “environmentally friendly,” or “biodegradable” and those based on emissions offsetting schemes. The announcement marks the last major step towards the passage of the legislative act, with its adoption now complete,…
In this series, ESG Clarity takes a deep dive into an investment firm’s stewardship activities, discovering their key focuses and processes, and what’s in their engagement toolkit. Here, Rachael Monteiro, stewardship and climate analyst at Wheb Asset Management, discusses the less well-known stewardship trends and how the group is focused on helping clients understand how issues are selected and prioritised. What do you…
Verizon Communications announced today that it has fully allocated the $1 billion in proceeds from its most recent green bond, issued in May 2023, will the full amount directed towards investments in renewable energy, supporting the company’s clean energy targets. According to Verizon’s Green Bond Impact Report, proceeds from the bond, Verizon’s fifth green bond since 2019, were allocated entirely…
The European Green Bond Standard (EUGBS) promises to boost investor confidence and support the long-term growth of the green bond market despite some limitations, according to findings from the latest report from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA). The report – Will Europe’s New Standard Help Or Hinder Green Bond Market Growth? – noted voluntary regulation represents…
Ireland-based banking group AIB announced the appointment of Paul Travers to the newly created role of Managing Director Climate Capital, with responsibility for driving the bank’s expanded green lending activities focused on renewable energy companies and critical infrastructure projects across Ireland, the UK, Europe and North America. The new appointment follows the launch by AIB of a new three-year strategy,…
BNP Paribas Asset Management (BNPP AM) announced today the launch of its new ESG active fixed income ETF range, with the rollout of its first two funds, including the BNP Paribas Easy Sustainable EUR Corporate Bond and BNP Paribas Easy Sustainable EUR Government Bond ETFs. According to BNPP AM, the new range aims to provide ETF products that apply an…
By: Claudine Emeott, Partner, Salesforce Ventures Impact Fund, and Naomi Morenzoni, Senior Vice President of Philanthropy at Salesforce The planet just endured its hottest year on record. And with global temperatures projected to rise even further, communities worldwide risk conditions that exceed survivability limits. While the need for action is clear, we need an estimated $4 trillion in annual funding…