Institutional asset owners are reclaiming the stewardship narrative, translating fiduciary obligations into strategic power. Around the world, these investors are shaping policy, defending long-term governance tools, and using capital to secure sustainable value, not just chasing ESG headlines. Stewardship in Action: Two Months of Institutional Leadership UK: Pension Schemes Assert Market Voice In late July, a coalition of UK…
Deutsche Bank recorded its strongest sustainable finance quarter in four years in Q2 2025, according to the bank’s quarterly results released on Thursday, which included more than €28 billion (USD$33 billion) in sustainable finance and investment volumes, the highest in any quarter since 2021. In a post commenting on the results, Deutsche Bank’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Jörg Eigendorf, said: “Sustainability…
July 25, 2025 | Sustainable Investor In a significant move to address the UK’s looming retirement savings shortfall, the government has relaunched the Pensions Commission, two decades after the original body laid the groundwork for auto-enrolment. This new iteration is tasked with confronting the deeper challenge of pension adequacy, amid data showing that younger generations risk receiving 8% less in…
Tokyo-based banking and financial services company Mizuho Financial Group announced today an agreement to acquire renewable energy and energy transition sector-focused financial advisory firm Augusta & Co. Founded in 2002 by senior bankers from leading investment banks, Augusta serves the European energy transition sector as a specialist financial advisory and investment house, completing over 130 transactions and raising approximately €30…
Kimberly-Clark UK & Ireland, the manufacturer of household brands including Andrex and Kleenex, has become the first major consumer products company in the UK to sign long-term offtaker agreements for green hydrogen, to decarbonize production of products including toilet and facial tissues. The company is partnering with Carlton Power and HYRO – the latter being a joint venture between Octopus…
July 25, 2025 | Sustainable Investor Two of the most influential voices in global shareholder governance, Glass Lewis and Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS), have launched federal lawsuits against the state of Texas, accusing lawmakers of violating their constitutional rights through new legislation that limits ESG-related proxy advice. Glass Lewis called the law “blatantly unconstitutional,” arguing that it compels speech and…
Sustainable Media Group (SMG), a leading force in sustainable finance media, today announces the highly anticipated acquisition of ESG Investor, a leading title for institutional investors globally. This strategic move sees ESG Investor rebranded as Sustainable Investor and integrated into the SMG family, joining the well-established Sustainable Times under its growing umbrella. The acquisition marks a significant expansion of SMG’s…
International banking group Standard Chartered announced the launch of its new Sustainable Escrow and Account Bank solution, aimed at enabling clients to embed sustainability into their cash management, by holding funds in accounts referenced against the bank’s portfolio of sustainable loans and projects. The new offering forms the latest in a series of sustainability-focused Transaction Banking Cash solutions by Standard Chartered,…
The European Commission announced the release of a new Call for Evidence, seeking input on a planned upcoming “environmental omnibus proposal” aimed at simplifying environmental legislation and reducing administrative burdens for companies in areas including circular economy, industrial emissions and waste management. The initiative forms part of a major simplification push in the EU, and follows the release by the…
The International Court of Justice (ICJ), the UN’s principal judicial body, announced the release of its Advisory Opinion on the Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change, indicating that countries have an obligation under international law to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and to contribute to climate change adaptation, opening up potential requirements by wealthier nations to pay compensation…