A selection of the major stories impacting ESG investors, in five easy pieces. Anti-ESG proposals rocket in number but gather limited support, Kamala Harris picks a climate-friendly running mate, and the SBTi board backtracks on carbon offsetting. Anti-ESG proposals on the rise – Much has been made of the ESG backlash, particularly in the US. But how big is it…
Microsoft Partners with Pivot Energy to Develop Community Solar Projects to Help Tackle Scope 3 Emissions
Renewable energy provider Pivot Energy announced a five-year agreement with Microsoft to develop up to 500 megawatts (MWac) of community-scale solar energy projects across the U.S. Through the agreement, Microsoft will match customer electricity usage with new renewable electricity generation, supporting its efforts to reduce Scope 3 emissions. Growing Scope 3 emissions have emerged as a major challenge to Microsoft’s…
JERA Nex Enters U.S. Solar Market with 395 MW Acquisition
Renewable energy company JERA Nex announced the acquisition of two U.S. solar projects, totaling 395MW from Lightsource bp, marking the new company’s entry into the U.S. solar market. JERA Nex was launched in April by Japan’s largest power generation company, JERA, with a mandate to develop, invest, own and operate renewable energy assets, including offshore and onshore wind and solar,…
SEC Defends its Climate Disclosure Rule in Court
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission launched a defense in court of its new climate reporting rule, arguing that the proposed disclosures in the rule provide “information directly relevant to the value of investments,” and that it is within the Commission’s authority to mandate climate risk disclosures. In a brief filed this week with the U.S. Eighth Circuit Court of…
UK to Introduce Law to Regulate ESG Ratings Providers
The UK government will introduce legislation aimed at regulating ESG ratings providers in 2025, according to a speech Wednesday by Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves, and confirmed today in a statement by the finance ministry, HM Treasury. The statement said that “the Chancellor sees an opportunity to work with industry to drive more investment and cement the UK as…