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Energy Optimization Software Startup Companion.Energy Raises $9 Million

Energy Optimization Software Startup Companion.Energy Raises $9 Million

Energy optimization software startup Companion.energy announced today that it has raised €7.8 million (USD$9 million) in a seed funding round, with proceeds aimed at enhancing and expanding its platform enabling large industrial and commercial enterprises to manage energy as renewable penetration and industrial electrification advance. Founded in 2022 by Thomas Vyncke and Jonas Verstraeten, Companion.energy provides solutions aimed at providing…

FCA proposes simplifying climate reporting rules to save firms £20m a year

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has proposed simplifying climate reporting rules for investment products in a move it says could save investment firms around £20m a year. The regulator is consulting on replacing detailed product-level reports based on the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) with simpler and more targeted information for retail investors that aligns with Consumer Duty….

TD Signs 10-Year Carbon Removal Deal with Deep Sky

TD Signs 10-Year Carbon Removal Deal with Deep Sky

Canada-based carbon removal project developer Deep Sky announced today a new 10-year carbon dioxide removal (CDR) offtake agreement with TD Bank Group, providing for the purchase of more than 18,000 CDR credits from Deep Sky’s direct air capture (DAC) facilities. The companies said that the deal will support the development of permanent carbon removal infrastructure in Canada while strengthening the…

UK Proposes Dropping TCFD-Based Climate Reporting for Investment Products

UK Proposes Dropping TCFD-Based Climate Reporting for Investment Products

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the UK’s conduct regulator for financial services firms and financial markets, announced a new proposal to drop requirements for financial firms to publish TCFD-based climate disclosures for investment products, replacing them with simplified reporting on climate risks for retail investors, and on-demand emissions data for institutional clients. The new proposals form part of the FCA’s…

Why Age is More Than Just a Number: Helping Seniors Survive & Thrive

When it comes to the basics of managing one’s life — including things like accessing healthcare, managing one’s finances, dealing with various bureaucracies, and the myriad other things we must do on a daily/weekly/monthly basis — getting older can make everything that much more difficult.  Regardless of gender, race, or income, getting older imposes various limitations, from physical and mental…

ESG Today: Week in Review

ESG Today: Week in Review

This week in ESG news: Goldman Sachs raises $3 billion for energy transition, circular economy, digital and transport infrastructure fund; Brazil shifts from mandatory to voluntary sustainability reporting; UK sets 2040 GHG emissions reduction target; ISO launches transition planning standard for banks, investors; Google sets series of water sustainability goals; Nordea beats €200 billion sustainable finance target; JPMorgan backs carbon…

Ecobank Issues $450 Million Nature Bond to Back Biodiversity, Sustainable Agriculture Across Africa

Ecobank Issues $450 Million Nature Bond to Back Biodiversity, Sustainable Agriculture Across Africa

Pan-African banking group Ecobank announced the launch of a $450 million Nature Bond – the world’s first ICMA-aligned Nature Bond issued by a commercial bank – with proceeds aimed at supporting farmers, sustainable agriculture businesses and water systems in markets across Africa. According to Ecobank, the bond was designed to reach sectors often underserved by traditional conservation-focused financing mechanisms, including…

Nest Commits £200 Million to IFM to Back Climate Solutions

Nest Commits £200 Million to IFM to Back Climate Solutions

Nest, the largest workplace pension scheme in the UK by membership, announced a £200 million (USD$269 million) commitment to support next-generation climate solutions through a partnership with investment manager IFM Investors. IFM’s next generation infrastructure credit strategy focuses on international lending opportunities across developed markets, supported by a pipeline of opportunities in the U.K. The strategy targets growth-stage companies with…

Fusion Developer Helion Raises $465 Million at Triple its Prior Valuation

Fusion Developer Helion Raises $465 Million at Triple its Prior Valuation

Fusion energy company Helion announced that it has raised $465 million in a Series G funding round, with proceeds aimed at accelerating commercial deployment of fusion energy in the U.S. and expanding the company’s operations. The new financing round values Helion, which aims to build the world’s first fusion power plant, at $15.5 billion, nearly triple the valuation from its…

JPMorgan Signs Carbon Removal, Financing Deal with Charm Industrial

JPMorgan Signs Carbon Removal, Financing Deal with Charm Industrial

Climate solutions provider Charm Industrial announced a new carbon offtake removal deal with JPMorganChase, its second with the bank, with a new commitment to purchase 61,500 tons of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) credits, generated from Charm’s U.S.-based bio-oil projects. As part of the new agreement, JPMorganChase will also extend a $20 million venture debt facility to Charm, supporting the expansion…