Global issuance of labelled sustainable bonds – including green, social, sustainability, sustainability-linked, and transition bonds – is anticipated to again reach around $1 trillion in 2025, according to a new forecast released by Moody’s Ratings, as headwinds including political changes from the new U.S. administration are expected to be offset by a continued focus on sustainable development across many regions,…

This week in ESG news: Trump exits the Paris Agreement; 24 states commit to Paris Agreement goals, Bloomberg pledges to cover U.S. obligations after Trump exit; France, Germany push to delay, ease EU sustainability reporting and due diligence legislation; EU companies warn against watering down green laws; Microsoft signs carbon removal megadeal; more than 10,000 companies commit to science based…

Bloomberg LP founder, UN Special Envoy for Climate Ambition and Solutions, and former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg announced that Bloomberg Philanthropies, alongside other climate funder, will cover some of the U.S.’ key Paris Agreement obligations, including its funding for the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and the U.S.’ reporting commitments, following President Trump’s exit from the…

The government of France has called for a significant implementation delay and major amendments to some of the key European sustainability reporting and environmental due diligence regulations introduced over the past few years, in a bid to help reduce bureaucratic burdens and simplify compliance obligations for companies, and for small and medium-sized businesses in particular. In a submission sent to…

Allianz Global Investors (AllianzGI) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) announced today that they have raised €450 million (USD$468 million) for their joint Emerging Markets Climate Action Fund (EMCAF), aimed at mobilizing financing for climate-focused projects in emerging and developing countries. The final close of the fund comes following a €20 million top- up from Germany’s KfW, on behalf of the…

Geothermal technology company Bedrock Energy announced that it has raised $12 million in a Series A funding round, with proceeds aimed at supporting the deployment and development of its carbon-free, low-cost solution for heating and cooling buildings. Buildings are a significant contributor to global GHG emissions, and one of the hardest to replace, given their long-term nature. Overall, buildings are…

Real estate and investment management-focused services provider JLL announced the launch of a new Energy Advisory and Sustainability practice, aimed at providing energy-focused, end-to-end sustainability services to real estate investors and commercial and public sector clients. The new practice will be led by Josephine Tucker, who has been appointed Americas Head of Energy Advisory and Sustainability at JLL. JLL is…