Green-minded nations should club together to pressure countries with weak climate policies and encourage carbon pricing, says NZAOA. A UN-affiliated group of big investors has called on climate-conscious governments around the world to join forces and pressure laggard countries to impose a price on carbon emissions. In a new paper, the UN-convened Net Zero Asset Owner Alliance (NZAOA) argued members…
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…
Google Signs its First Renewable Energy Purchase Deals in Japan
Google announced two new solar power purchase agreements (PPAs) in Japan, its first in the country, supporting the construction of new solar projects that will add 60 MW of clean energy capacity to the Japanese grid. According to Google, the new agreement will contribute to its commitment to power all its operations on 24/7 carbon-free energy (CFE) by 2030. Google…
EU Adopts Net Zero Industry Act to Scale up Decarbonization Technologies
The European Council announced today that it has approved the Net-Zero industry Act (NZIA), a new law introducing a framework of measures aimed at scaling up Europe’s manufacturing capacity for technologies key to achieving the EU’s climate goals. The announcement marks the last major step in the adoption of the NZIA, following the European Parliament’s approval of the new regulations…
Logistics Emissions Management Platform Shipzero Raises €8 Million
Green logistics-focused startup shipzero announced today that it has raised €8 million (USD$8.7 million) in a Series A funding round, with proceeds from the financing aimed at supporting the company’s growth, and the expansion of the capabilities and reach of its transport emissions management platform. Launched in 2018 by co-founders Mirko Schedlbauer and Tobias Bohnhoff, Hamburg, Germany-based shipzero helps shippers,…
EU Adopts New Product Sustainability Rules, Ban on Destruction of Unsold Clothing and Footwear
The European Council announced today the approval by member states of regulations for a new “Ecodesign” framework to establish sustainability requirements for nearly all products across the EU, as well as a new ban on the destruction of unsold textiles and footwear. The announcement by the EU Council marks the last major step towards the final adoption of the new…