Mercedes-Benz announced today a new agreement with metals recycling company TSR Recycling GmbHto launch a new “urban recycling” pilot program aimed at substantially advancing the automaker’s circularity strategy by enabling the company to increase the use of secondary materials in its vehicle fleet. According to Mercedes-Benz, the new partnership will support the company’s Ambition 2039 strategy, which includes a goal…

Australia Invests Over $5 Billion to Develop Clean Hydrogen Sector
The government of Australia announced today a series of large-scale investments aimed at boosting the country’s clean energy sector, including plans to invest A$8 billion (USD$5.3 billion) in hydrogen production and technology over the next 10 years. The new investments were announced with the release of the government’s 2024-2025 budget, which also allocated over A$3 billion through the Australian Renewable…

Biden Quadruples Tariffs on China EVs, Batteries
President Biden announced a broad series of tariffs on goods imported from China, including several categories of products central to the U.S.’ clean energy transition strategy, such as electric vehicles, batteries and battery materials, and solar cells. In total, the White House said that the increased tariffs cover $18 billion of imports from China. According to a White House statement,…
Nature Loss Risk Ramps up
Recovery blueprint highlights opportunity to capitalise on renewable assets to bolster agriculture and food demand. Nature restoration is essential to addressing biodiversity and climate-related risks to finance, ecosystems and human health, research by investment manager Foresight has highlighted. Released last week, the Nature Recovery Blueprint offers practical guidance to land managers, developers and asset managers in implementing nature-positive management practices…
A Solvable Problem
The world is off track on ending deforestation, but accelerating financial sector and policy action could help change course. The fight to end deforestation is at a critical juncture ahead of a UN-backed recommendation which calls for decisive action by 2025, as part of efforts to keep global warming below 1.5°C. The financial sector is seen as key to meeting…
UK Pension Money Should Fund Decarbonisation
Phoenix says Britain should mobilise its US$3.2 trillion pension system to fund the energy transition at the local government level. Britain’s vast pool of retirement savings could be doing five times more to fund the country’s energy transition if local governments were empowered to direct more regional investment, one of the country’s largest pension providers has said. Phoenix Group, which…
Amazon Pressed on Workers’ Rights – Again
Long-term shareholder value comes under threat as tech giant fails to live up to human rights commitments. Issues around workers’ rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining are due to come under the spotlight once more during Amazon’s 2024 AGM next week. Building on similar initiatives in previous years, a 20-strong investor coalition including the likes of Storebrand Asset…

EU Issues New Rules for Funds Using “ESG” or “Sustainability” Names to Address Greenwashing Risk
EU markets regulator the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) announced today the release of its finalized guidelines for the use of ESG and sustainability-related terms in investment fund names, including investment thresholds required for sustainable investment funds, and the establishment of a transition category for investments that are not yet green, but are on a positive trajectory towards achieving…

Meta Signs Deal for 210 MW of Renewable Energy from New Solar Projects in Indiana
Renewables developer Solarpack announced energy purchase agreements with Meta, enabling the construction of two new solar projects in Indiana, totalling 210 MW. Meta has set a target to reach net zero emissions across its value chain by 2030, and is one of the largest corporate buyers of renewable energy. The company achieved its goal to meet 100% of its operational…

EU Adopts New Rules Requiring 90% Emissions Reductions from Trucks and Buses by 2040
EU member states in the European Council announced today the adoption of new legislation, strengthening emissions standards for heavy duty vehicles in the EU, including a requirement for a 90% reduction in CO2 emissions from heavy duty trucks and buses by 2040. The announcement by the EU Council marks the last decision-making step towards the adoption of the new regulation,…