The UK is one of the only countries in the world to have privatised water. Now the system is collapsing, with investors writing off billions and wondering if it was all worth it. If you go for a swim in an English river this summer, your chances of coming face-to-face with a floating lump of human excrement are – according to…
abrdn Appoints Dan Grandage as Chief Sustainability Officer, Investments
Edinburgh-based global investment company abrdn announced today the appointment of Dan Grandage as Chief Sustainability Officer, Investments, replacing Amanda Young in the role, who left the business at the end of April after leading the firm’s sustainable investing group since early 2022. In his new role, Grandage will lead abrdn’s global sustainable and active ownership strategy, with responsibility for ensuring…
IFRS Says Over Half of Global Economy Moving Towards Coverage by ISSB Sustainability Reporting Standards
The IFRS Foundation unveiled significant progress towards the establishment of a consistent global baseline for a corporate sustainability reporting system, revealing today that jurisdictions representing more than half of the global economy have announced steps to use or align with the International Sustainability Standards Board’s (ISSB) disclosure standards. The IFRS Foundation’s International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) was launched in November 2021 at…
Biden Administration Launches New Policy Guidelines for Carbon Credit Buyers and Sellers
The Biden administration announced today the release of “Voluntary Carbon Markets Joint Policy Statement and Principles,” aimed at strengthening and advancing market for carbon credits by setting out the U.S. government’s approach to ensuring the high integrity of voluntary carbon markets (VCMs). The new policy statement comes as demand for carbon offset projects and related credits is expected to increase…
HSBC UK Launches Carbon Calculator for SME Clients
HSBC UK announced a new partnership with carbon accounting startup Greenly, providing a carbon calculator for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to measure, assess and address their carbon footprint. According to HSBC, the new solution follows a recent survey by the bank indicating that the lack of advice and support over sustainability measurement presents a significant barrier for SMEs in…
Building Decarbonization Platform Vizcab Raises $10 Million
Building decarbonization-focused software startup Vizcab announced today that it has raised an additional €4.5 million in its Series A funding, bringing the financing round to €9 million (USD$9.8 million), with proceeds aimed at supporting the company’s growth and expansion into new international markets. Buildings are a key source of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and also one of the hardest…
EU Regulator Calls for SMEs to be Required to Report on Positive Sustainability Impacts, Opportunities to Avoid Greenwashing
EU markets regulator the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has issued recommendations to adjust proposed sustainability reporting requirements for market-listed small and medium-sized (SME) businesses, with proposals including a requirement for SMEs to report on sustainability-related opportunities and positive impacts, in order to avoid the risk of greenwashing. The recommendations form part of ESMA’s response to a consultation by…