“Only when the tide goes out, do you discover who’s been swimming naked.” This quote from Warren Buffett is aptly suited to describe today’s sustainable finance landscape. In the early 2020s, ESG funds moved swiftly into the mainstream, supported by ambitious policy signals from the EU, such as the European Green Deal and the wide array of acronyms it spanned….
Power Sustainable Raises $330 Million to Launch New Decarbonization Private Equity Strategy
Power Corporation of Canada’s sustainability-focused alternative asset management subsidiary Power Sustainable announced the launch of Power Sustainable Decarbonization Private Equity, a new strategy aimed at investing in middle-market companies that help future-proof critical sectors of the North American economy. The firm announced that it has already raised more than $330 million in commitments for the new strategy, with investors including…
Dow, Google Partner to Use AI to Tackle Hard to Recycle Soft Plastics
Chemicals and materials science giant Dow and Google’s breakthrough technologies initiative, X The Moonshot Factory, announced the launch of a new partnership aimed at improving the circularity of hard to recycle plastics such as films and flexibles, by using AI technology in recycling systems. According to the companies, the new collaboration comes to address a key challenge to improving plastics…
$1.6 Trillion Investor Group Pushes HSBC to Confirm Net Zero Commitment
A group of 30 investors* representing $1.6 trillion in assets under management, led by responsible investing NGO ShareAction, called on HSBC at its AGM on Friday to restate its net zero commitments, noting that recent moves by the bank have created “deeply concerning signals” around its climate priorities. The investor statement follows an announcement by HSBC earlier this year of…
HSBC AM’s Global Head of Sustainability Erin Leonard Exits
HSBC Asset Management’s Global Head of Sustainability Erin Leonard will be leaving the firm, ESG Today has confirmed, marking the latest in a series of changes to HSBC’s sustainability-focused executive ranks. Leonard’s departure comes as HSBC undergoes a restructuring under new CEO George Elhedery. In November 2024, the firm announced the departure of Group Chief Sustainability Officer Celine Herweijer, after…
ESG Today: Week in Review
This week in ESG news: IFRS eases climate reporting requirements for financial firms; MSCI study finds companies continuing to raise net zero ambitions; EU’s ESMA to regulate ESG ratings providers; new decarbonization-focused sustainable building standard by USGBC; BoE raises climate risk management expectations for banks; RBC scraps sustainable finance target due to new greenwashing rules; ESG funds suffer outflows in…
Ara Partners Raises $800 Million to Invest in Mid-Market Decarbonization Infrastructure Providers
Industrial decarbonization-focused private equity investor Ara Partners announced that it has raised more than $800 million at the closing of the debut fund of its Ara Infrastructure strategy, and associated co-investment vehicles, aimed at investing in in mid-market decarbonization infrastructure assets. The fundraising significantly exceeded the fund’s $500 million target. Launched in 2022, the strategy, led by Ara co-Heads of…
ESMA Releases Proposed Rules for Regulation of ESG Ratings Providers
EU markets regulator the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) announced today the publication of its draft Regulatory Technical Standards (RTS) under the EU’s ESG Rating Regulation, setting out its proposed rules for ESG ratings providers. The publication follows the adoption by the European Commission in late 2024 of the ESG Rating Regulation, aimed at improving the reliability, transparency and…