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EQT, GIC Acquire Majority Stake in Energy Transition Infrastructure Provider Calisen

EQT, GIC Acquire Majority Stake in Energy Transition Infrastructure Provider Calisen

Private equity and venture capital investor EQT Group and Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund, GIC, announced today the acquisition of a majority stake in UK-based energy transition-focused infrastructure company Calisen from a consortium of investors including Goldman Sachs Alternatives, BlackRock-owned Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), and Mubadala Investment Company. According to a report by the Financial Times, the transaction values Calisen at over…

European Commission Publishes EU Taxonomy FAQ to Help Investors Implement Sustainability Classification System

European Commission Publishes EU Taxonomy FAQ to Help Investors Implement Sustainability Classification System

The European Commission announced the publication of a new set of frequently asked questions (FAQs), aimed at helping support investors in the implementation of the EU Taxonomy, its classification system for defining sustainable economic activities. According to the Commission, the publication is aimed at making the Taxonomy easier to use, and forms part of its efforts to reduce the administrative…

Guest Post: The Path to AI-Powered Sustainability and ESG Lies in Partner Ecosystems

Guest Post: The Path to AI-Powered Sustainability and ESG Lies in Partner Ecosystems

By: Sheri Hinish, Principal Global Consulting Sustainability, Technology + Ecosystems Leader, EY We stand at the intersection of two revolutions—sustainability and artificial intelligence. One demands we change how we live, and the other enables us to do it. The convergence of AI and ESG represents a transformative force for businesses seeking to address today’s sustainability challenges. AI is pivotal in…

Texas Launches Multi-State Lawsuit Accusing BlackRock, Vanguard, State Street of Using ESG Investing to Manipulate Energy Markets

Texas Launches Multi-State Lawsuit Accusing BlackRock, Vanguard, State Street of Using ESG Investing to Manipulate Energy Markets

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced the launch of a lawsuit against investment giants BlackRock, Vanguard and State Street, joined by 10 other states, accusing the asset managers of using their positions in climate-focused investment initiatives to manipulate coal markets and drive up the cost of energy. In statements received by ESG Today from BlackRock and State Street, the investment…

SDR Label Approval “Logjam Starting to Ease”

After muted early expectations, impact label under the UK’s green fund rules has outperformed expectations, reflecting global growth trend. Accelerated approval of fund labels under the UK’s Sustainability Disclosure Requirements (SDR) is giving asset managers hope that the end of a challenging teething process is within sight. Yesterday, M&G Investments became the latest manager to adopt the Sustainability Impact label…

SDR Label Approval “Logjam Starting to Ease”

After muted early expectations, impact label under the UK’s green fund rules has outperformed expectations, reflecting global growth trend. Accelerated approval of fund labels under the UK’s Sustainability Disclosure Requirements (SDR) is giving asset managers hope that the end of a challenging teething process is within sight. Yesterday, M&G Investments became the latest manager to adopt the Sustainability Impact label…

Thailand Issues Inaugural $865 Million Sustainability-Linked Bond

Thailand Issues Inaugural $865 Million Sustainability-Linked Bond

The government of Thailand announced the completion of its first Sustainability-Linked Bond (SLB), raising 30 billion baht (USD$865 million), with interest rates on the new 15-year notes tied to the country’s climate and energy transition goals. Demand for the bonds were strong, with the PMDO upsizing the offering from 20 billion baht to 30 billion baht, after the offering was…

Take Five: Black and Blue Friday

A selection of the major stories impacting ESG investors, in five easy pieces.  US asset managers were left feeling a little bruised after Republicans marked Thanksgiving with a resumption of hostilities. Renewed assault – On Wednesday, 11 Republican states, including Texas, brought an anti-trust case against BlackRock, State Street and Vanguard for using the power of their index funds to…

European Council greenlights new regulation on regulating ESG ratings agencies

European Council greenlights new regulation on regulating ESG ratings agencies

On 19 November 2024, the Council of the European Union (“Council”) adopted a new regulation on environmental, social and governance (ESG) rating activities.1 The new regulation, which was presented by the European Commission on 13 June 2023, aims to make ESG rating activities in the EU more consistent, transparent and comparable.2  This will in turn build investors’ confidence in sustainable…

Set Sail for a Green Future

Diane Gilpin, CEO of Smart Green Shipping, explains why betting on wind beats fossil fuels for reliable returns in maritime transport. The misconception that wind is unpredictable and therefore an impossible alternative to fossil fuels, has meant the maritime industry and investors continue to underestimate this primary renewable energy. But modern wind-assist technology in tandem with the latest in route…