French energy giant TotalEnergies announced today the acquisition of 50% of Czech Republic-based multi-utility company EPH’s flexible power generation platform, including gas-fired and biomass power plants and battery storage sites across Western Europe, in a €5.1 billion (USD$5.9 billion) all-stock transaction valuing the assets at a €10.6 billion enterprise value. The portfolio’s 14 GW of flexible generation in operation or under…

Global mining and metals company Rio Tinto announced today an agreement with Australian environmental technology company Calix, including a commitment to invest more than A$35 million (USD$23 million) to support the construction of a new green iron demonstration plant that uses electric heating and hydrogen reduction to help decarbonize steelmaking. Alongside the new agreement, Rio Tinto also announced that would…

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will examine and propose actions focused on the role of proxy advisory firms and large institutional investors’ influence over the shareholder voting process, in order to tackle “the abuse of the corporate governance system and weaponization of shareholder proposals by politicized shareholder activists,” according to comments by SEC Chair Paul Atkins. In his…

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…

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has asked the Supreme Court to step in to pause California’s new climate reporting laws, in a last ditch attempt by the business group to stop the implementation of new requirements for thousands of U.S. companies to report on climate risks and greenhouse gas emissions, with initial reporting set to start at the beginning of…

Cleantech startup Voya Energy announced its public launch, alongside the closing of a $13 million seed funding round to develop its new technology to produce carbon-free “metal fuels.” Launched through a collaboration with founding investor Energy Impact Partners (EIP), California-based Voya is developing technology to convert recycled metals into powerful, safe, and durable fuel, enabling fast, flexible deployment of electricity…

Electric truck manufacturer Harbinger announced today that it has raised $160 million in a Series C funding round, and that it has signed an initial order for EVs from global delivery giant FedEx, who also co-led the financing round. Founded in 2021, California-based designs and manufactures chassis for electric commercial and specialty vehicles, designed to support all of popular medium-duty…

The European Council announced today that EU member states have adopted a decision to open negotiations with the UK towards an agreement to link their emissions trading systems (ETS), forming part of efforts to bring re-align the EU and UK in key areas that have been developing separately since Brexit. Established in 2005, the EU ETS puts a price on…

Lawmakers in the European Parliament agreed today to dramatically cuts to the EU’s sustainability reporting and due diligence laws, including significant reductions in the number of companies covered by the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), and the elimination of the obligation by companies to prepare climate transition plans. The vote, with 382 MEPs in favor…

Sustainability-focused investment manager Mirova announced that it has invested $30 million in a soil-based carbon project in India by project developer Varaha, focused on supporting smallholder farmers in implementing regenerative agricultural practices. The investment marks Mirova’s largest transaction to date under its nature-based carbon strategies, as well as its first carbon investment in India. Founded in 2022, carbon project developer…