ESG Today: Week in Review

This week in ESG news: EU lawmakers vote to slash sustainability reporting, due diligence rules; World’s largest companies resume net zero goal setting after pausing last year; SBTi releases new draft corporate net zero standard; IFRS Foundation’s ISSB to develop nature-related reporting standards; UK releases sustainability reporting assurance standards; Nike signs deals to source recycled materials; Zurich Insurance drops pursuit of SBTi validation for net zero goals; the ECB’s first banking fine for not meeting climate risk compliance expectations; U.S. Supreme Court asked to stop California climate reporting rules; Singapore launches sustainable aviation fuel fee for all departing flights, and more.

See below for the highlights of the past week, and get all your ESG news at ESG Today:

Sustainability Goals, Initiatives and Achievements

The World’s Largest Companies Have Resumed Setting Net Zero Goals After Pausing Last Year: Accenture Survey

Google, TotalEnergies Sign 15-Year Renewable Energy Deal to Power Ohio Data Centers

Zurich Decides to Drop Pursuit of SBTi Validation of Net Zero Goals

Apple Invests in Renewable Energy, Forest Projects in Australia and New Zealand

Nike Signs Deals for Recycled Materials with Cleantech Startups Syre, Loop

Salesforce Launches New Program to Address Water Use at Data Centers, Power Supply

SBTi Proposes More Flexible Corporate Net Zero Standard

Government & Regulators

EU to Begin Negotiations with UK to Link Carbon Markets

ECB Fines Spanish Bank ABANCA for Not Meeting Climate Risk Expectations

Singapore Introduces Sustainable Aviation Fuel Fee for All Departing Passengers

Sustainability Reporting

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Asks Supreme Court to Stop California’s Climate Reporting Laws

EU Parliament Votes to Slash Corporate Sustainability Reporting, Due Diligence Requirements

TNFD to Pause New Work After ISSB Takes Over Nature Reporting Standard Setting

UK Releases Sustainability Reporting Assurance Standard

ISSB to Develop Standards for Nature-Related Reporting

ESG Services and Tools

Guest Post: AI Can Be the Positive Catalyst for Climate Action at COP30

Carbon Direct Acquires Carbon Project MRV Platform Pachama

Sustainable Finance

Hong Kong Issues Largest-Ever Digital Green Bond

EIB Announces Global Launch of Tool Enabling Banks to Identify, Assess Green Projects

Sustainable Investing

Mirova Invests $30 Million in India-based Sustainable Farming Carbon Project

AXA IM Alts Raises $560 Million for Nature-Based Solutions Strategy

Private Equity & Venture Capital

Voya Energy Raises $13 Million to Turn Metal into Carbon-Free Fuels

Electric Truck Maker Harbinger Raises $160 Million, Signs Order with FedEx

ESG Compliance Platform GreenFi Raises $2 Million