Ex-PRI innovation lead Mikael Homanen explains how the Upright Project’s methodology for analysing company data can help quantify net impact through analysis of positive and negative factors. Mikael Homanen, Head of Scientific Research, Innovation and Partnerships at impact data company the Upright Project, started his career in academia, working on ESG finance at the business schools of several prestigious universities,…
AI Revolution Transforms Clean Investment
Soaring power demand from data centres offers diverse opportunities for energy transition funds, says Pictet Asset Management. The rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI) is driving a wave of investment in low-carbon technology, as investors rush to meet rocketing energy demand from data centres. That’s according to Jennifer Boscardin-Ching, a Client Portfolio Manager with Pictet Asset Management, who has seen…
Forced Labour in Construction Hidden from Investors
CCLA highlights high and persistent systemic risks of forced labour across the sector in an engagement initiative. The construction sector is failing to sufficiently address its exposures to forced labour and modern slavery, industry experts have determined, with greater leadership and collaboration with stakeholders needed to tackle rising risks. An ongoing lack of awareness and disclosure around forced labour-related risks…
Stewardship a “Critical Component” of Border to Coast’s Climate Strategy
Following its first year of direct climate engagement, UK scheme also emphasises partnership as helping asset owners act at scale. UK-based local government pension scheme (LGPS) pool Border to Coast has stressed stewardship’s role in its efforts to reach net zero, following the recent publication of two reports outlining activities over the past year. Earlier this month, Border to Coast…
Australia Senate Passes New Mandatory Climate Disclosure Law
A bill introducing mandatory climate reporting for large and medium-sized companies passed the Australian Senate today, marking a major step towards the establishment of a new climate risk disclosure framework in the country. In a statement following the vote in the Senate, Australia Treasurer Jim Chalmers said: “These critical reforms provide investors and companies the clarity and certainty they need…
Grid Connection Risks Threaten UK Renewable Goals
Joint effort needed to tackle pervasive problem, potentially unlocking enough power to decarbonise energy system by 2035. Decisive action will be required by the UK’s government and power sector to realise ambitious plans recently set out for renewable energy, as well as meet existing and proposed targets. Since winning last month’s general election, the Labour party has introduced a variety…
Amazon Bond a “Template” for Upscaling Carbon Removals
World Bank’s US$225 million nine-year deal will generate high-quality carbon credits via reforestation projects. Investors believe a first-of-its-kind bond tackling deforestation in Brazil has set a precedent for transactions seeking to increase private investment into climate solutions in emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs). Last week, the World Bank unveiled details of its Amazon Reforestation Outcome Bond, which aims to…
Apple-backed Fund Launches Hazardous Chemicals Roadmap
New metrics allow investors to factor chemical risks into ESG strategies with more precision. A group backed by Apple and Google has released a framework designed to help investors and businesses address one of the gravest environmental threats facing humanity: chemical pollution. The Safer Chemistry Impact (SCI) Fund is a multi-stakeholder initiative designed to provide blended finance to organisations and…
The Conservative Groups Behind Soaring ‘Anti-woke’ Proposals
Two US right-wing think tanks responsible for 75% of this year’s anti-ESG shareholder resolutions say they are just getting started. At Walt Disney’s annual shareholder meeting in April this year, 19-year-old California-native Chloe Cole told a harrowing story. Born female, Cole began gender transition treatment at the age of 12. This included taking puberty blockers at age 13, and undergoing…
ESG Policy Digest: August 2025
The August 2024 edition of the ESG Policy Digest covers a wide range of policy tools and solutions emerging worldwide to power sustainability-driven capital markets. At the international level, the Global Reporting Initiative and the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) are refining reporting standards with an interoperability mapping resource to support alignment across both frameworks. The International Accounting Standards…