This week in ESG news: Google confirms “moonshot” clean energy goal remains in place despite AI buildout; Microsoft signs first large-scale carbon removal deal since reportedly exiting market; SBTi broadens focus to climate target implementation, high-emitting sectors; NextEra acquires Dominion to form U.S. electricity giant; Australia proposes removing smaller companies from climate reporting requirements; HSBC launches $4 billion facility to…
Singapore-based investment manager Circulate Capital announced a new green loan facility agreement with HSBC, aimed supporting its ability to deploy capital rapidly and achieve greater impact across South and Southeast Asian circular economy investments. Launched in 2018, Circulate Capital was founded with an initial focus on investing in solutions for the ocean plastic crisis in South and Southeast Asia, and has…
Energy infrastructure investment manager Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) announced the launch of Advanced Bioenergy Fund II (ABF II), a new fund focused on scaling biomethane and advanced bioenergy production across Europe. The new fund is launching with a €200 million (USD$232 million) commitment from the EIB Group’s European Investment Fund (EIF). CIP said that it has set a target size…
Singapore’s National Climate Change Secretariat (NCCS) and the World Bank Group announced the launch of the Singapore Carbon Markets Program, a new initiative aimed at supporting countries in developing and scaling national carbon markets. The program is designed to address key barriers hindering the growth of carbon markets, while supporting countries in strengthening technical capabilities, institutional capacity and digital infrastructure…
Proxy advisory firm Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) is facing a series of new lawsuits filed by the Attorneys General of Texas, Nebraska, Iowa and West Virginia, alleging that the firm violated consumer protection and deceptive practices laws by promoting ESG and DEI-related policies in its advice to investors. The lawsuits, which follow a similar suit filed last year by Florida…
The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), one of the key organizations focused on aligning corporate environmental sustainability action with the global goals of limiting climate change, announced today the launch of its new five-year strategy, marking a significant expansion in focus for the organization from target-setting and validation to supporting companies in the implementation of their climate goals. Key elements…
Guest post by: Alexis Gazzo, EY Global Climate Change and Sustainability Services Leader It is becoming increasingly clear across all areas of my work that sustainability is no longer viewed primarily through the lens of reporting, compliance or regulation. Across markets, we are seeing it increasingly shape how growth is pursued, how competitiveness is judged and how long‑term value is…
Global investment manager Schroders’ renewable infrastructure investment unit Schroders Greencoat announced the acquisition of biomethane platform APF Energy from SWEN Capital Partners and APF BV. Biomethane, or renewable natural gas (RNG), is expected to play a critical role in the transition to cleaner energy sources, particularly for sectors in which energy solutions such as wind or solar are less practical….
ESG-focused software analytics platform provider Datamaran announced today the launch of a series of enhancements to its AI-powered risk and governance platform, Datamaran Core, aimed at enabling companies to identify, manage, and disclose non-financial issues, risks and opportunities, and comply with sustainability reporting frameworks such as ISSB and CSRD. Launched last year, Datamaran Core was targeted at sustainability, legal, and…