Tokyo-based banking group Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) announced today a series of sustainability-related initiatives, including nearly tripling its 2030 sustainable finance goal to 100 trillion yen (USD$660 billion) from its prior 35 trillion yen target, as well as establishing a new Sustainability Risk Office, to manage sustainability risks, such as climate change risks, across the group. The new targets…
Southwest Airlines announced that it has acquired SAFFiRE Renewables, a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)-backed project aimed at scaling the production of sustainable aviation fuel from agricultural residue. The acquisition follows the launch last month by the airline of Southwest Airlines Renewable Ventures (SARV), a new subsidiary responsible for managing the airline’s sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) investments, and creating opportunities…
This week in ESG news: Biden admin invests $6 billion in industrial decarbonization projects; Microsoft signs one of largest-ever biochar carbon removal deals; Mississippi orders BlackRock to ‘cease and desist’ from ESG investing; Walmart invests in 1 GW of new clean energy projects; Vanguard found guilty of misleading green investing claims in Australia; Persefoni launches free emissions tracking and reporting…
Heat pump tech startup Evari announced that it has raised $7.5 million in seed financing, with proceeds to be used commercialize the company’s technology for the electrification of consumer and industrial heating and cooling systems. Heat pumps are rapidly emerging as a key energy efficient and climate-friendly alternative to furnaces and air conditioners, producing fewer greenhouse gas emissions and reducing…
Battery energy storage provider Lightshift Energy announced that it has raised $100 million from clean energy-focused investment manager Greenbacker Capital Management (GCM), with proceeds from the financing aimed at supporting the expansion of the company’s utility-scale energy storage solutions. Energy storage solutions and infrastructure are emerging as a key energy transition investment area. Storage forms one of the major building…
Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson announced on Wednesday the launch of a cease and desist order against BlackRock, aimed at stopping alleged “fraudulent action” by the investment giant and aiming to impose a multimillion-dollar administrative penalty, over the company’s ESG investment policies. The order, filed by the Securities Division of the Secretary of State’s Office, claims that BlackRock makes…
Leeward Renewable Energy (LRE), announced two new Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) with Microsoft, for a total of 400 MW of renewable energy to be delivered from two solar facilities currently under development in Texas. The two new solar projects, each 200 MW, include the Morrow Lake Solar in Frio County, Texas, expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of…