Paul Bodnar says the backlash against the controversial moniker in the US means it’s time to think beyond the concept. Sustainable investing has outgrown the catch-all ‘ESG’ label and the financial world should move beyond it, according to former BlackRock global head of sustainable investing Paul Bodnar. That does not mean ditching sustainable investment altogether, as ESG’s political opponents in…
BNP Paribas AM to Require Portfolio Companies to Integrate Climate into Executive Compensation
BNP Paribas Asset Management (BNPP AM) announced today a set of new expectations for companies as part of its 2024 Governance and Voting Policy, including a new requirement for companies to integrate climate-related criteria into executive compensation plans. The new policies were announced with the release of BNPP AM’s 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM) season voting record. The firm revealed…
Guest Post: Without More Effective Data Solutions, the Climate Crisis Cannot be Solved
By: Matthieu Maurin, CEO, Iceberg Data Lab The corporate world is under increasing pressure to manage its carbon emissions and reduce its environmental impact. From agriculture to oil and gas, to transport, carbon emissions are damaging the air we breathe, the food we eat and the water we drink. For several years, experts have been warning us of the devastating…
Switzerland Proposes Major Expansion in Sustainability Reporting Requirements for Companies
The Swiss government announced the launch of a consultation on new proposals aimed at aligning its sustainability-related corporate governance rules with international systems, particularly the EU’s CSRD, including a proposal to expand sustainability reporting requirements for companies, and to significantly expand the number of companies covered by the mandatory reporting requirements. The new Swiss Federal Council proposals follow the launch…
Denmark Announces First-Ever Carbon Tax on Agriculture
The Government of Denmark announced a series of moves aimed at addressing the climate and nature impact of the country’s agricultural sector, including plans to introduce a carbon tax on emissions from livestock. The initiative forms part of a new “Green Tripartite” agreement, including the government, environmental organizations, agricultural sector associations and unions. Agriculture has emerged as a major focus…
Heat Pump Startup Aira to Invest €300 Million in Poland Manufacturing Plant
Clean energy tech startup Aira announced today the inauguration of its first heat pump production site in Wroclaw, Poland, with the company planning to invest €300 million (USD$320 million) in the manufacturing plant, to produce up to 500,000 heat pumps per year. Founded in 2022 by impact company builder Vargas, Stockholm, Sweden-based Aira provides clean energy-tech solutions aimed at accelerating…
MUFG Invests in Sustainable Aviation Fuel Technology Company LanzaJet
Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) technology and production company LanzaJet today announced an investment from Tokyo-based banking group Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG). The investment is part of LanzaJet’s current $100 million growth equity funding round, aimed at enabling the company to continue scaling its ethanol-to-SAF technology. Launched in 2020 by carbon recycling technology company LanzaTech, Illinois-based LanzaJet has developed “Alcohol-to-Jet”…