No country in the region has made reporting against the frameworks mandatory, further increasing greenwashing risk and due diligence costs. Differences in standards, metrics and goals between taxonomies across Asia are causing uncertainty for investors, lenders, businesses and other stakeholders, potentially slowing capital flows to environmentally sustainable projects. Such was the warning issued by the Institute for Energy Economics and…
Heliene Raises $54 Million to Grow U.S. Solar PV Manufacturing Capacity
Solar PV module manufacturer Heliene announced that it has closed a $54 million strategic equity investment led by energy transition-focused private equity firm Transition Equity Partners (TEP), aimed at expanding the company’s North American operations. Founded in 2010, Ontario, Canada-based manufactures solar PV modules serving the utility-scale, commercial, and residential markets. According to the company, the investment comes as Heliene…
Most CEOs Sticking with Climate Strategies, but Changing How they Communicate it: KPMG Survey
More than two thirds of CEOs report that they remain committed to their climate strategies, but are adapting the language and terminology they use to communicate it, and while many are not confident that their companies will achieve their near-term climate goals, most anticipate significant returns from their sustainability efforts over the next five years, according to a new survey…
ACCA Launches Sustainability Skills Course and Accreditation for Finance and Accounting Professionals
The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), announced the launch of a new Professional Diploma in Sustainability, a course and certification designed for finance professionals at all levels who are looking to gain a deeper understanding of sustainability in the business world. The new course comes as demand for sustainability-related skills is increasing globally as companies and countries globally begin…
Green Data Center Solutions Provider Submer Raises $55.5 Million
Data center-focused cooling and automation solution provider Submer announced that it has raised $55.5 million in a new funding round, with proceeds aimed at supporting the copmany’s sustainable immersion cooling technology to help data centers cut costs and environmental impact. The financing comes as AI-driven growth is driving a rapid increase in data center power demand. Over the past few…
3M Commits to Reduce Emissions Across the Value Chain by More than 40% by 2030
3M announced a series of new and updated climate-related goals, including a new target to reduce absolute Scope 3 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 42% by 2030, on a 2021 basis. The company also announced that its near-term emissions reduction goals have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) as being in line with the 1.5° C trajectory…
HSBC, IFC Launch SDG-Focused Emerging Markets Sustainable Corporate Bond Fund
HSBC Asset Management and World Bank Group member the International Finance Corporation (IFC) announced an agreement to launch a new fund targeting SDG-aligned corporate bond issuers in emerging markets. According to HSBC and IFC, the new fund aims to enhance sustainability in the emerging markets corporate bond space by investing in key areas such as sustainable technologies, social impact, and…
Wolters Kluwer Appoints Richard Pulliam to Lead EHS & ESG Business Unit
Professional services and information solutions provider Wolters Kluwer announced the appointment of Richard Pulliam as Senior Vice President and General Manager of Wolters Kluwer Corporate Performance & ESG (CP & ESG) division’s EHS & ESG unit. The EHS & ESG business unit, known for its EHS and operational risk management software product Enablon, forms part of Wolters Kluwer’s recently formed…
EU Commission Proposes One Year Delay to Law Banning Deforestation-Linked Products
The European Commission announced that it is proposing a one-year delay to the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), a new law aimed at ensuring that products imported to or exported from EU markets no longer contribute to deforestation and forest degradation globally, which is currently set to apply to from the end of this year, beginning with large…