On 3 June 2024, the Asia Pacific Loan Market Association (“APLMA”) published its set of “Model Provisions for Green Loans” (“Model Provisions”), following the publication of the “Draft Provisions for Sustainability-Linked Loans” by the London-based Loan Market Association (“LMA”) a year earlier in May 2023. The markets expect that the Model Provisions will bring some clarity into the classification of…
ESG Today: Week in Review
This week in ESG news: Microsoft signs largest-ever carbon removal purchase deal; EU Council agrees on rules to fight greenwashing product claims; Bloomberg launches new CSRD sustainability data solution; H&M partners with industrial decarbonization startup to tackle supply chain emissions; Workiva launches carbon data management and reporting solution; EU adopts Nature Restoration Law; PwC study finds CSRD reporting preparation leading…
Industrial Decarbonization Startup Molten Industries Raises $25 Million
Cleantech startup Molten Industries announced that it has raised $25 million at the close of a Series A financing round, with proceeds aimed at scaling capacity as a producer of graphite for lithium-ion batteries and clean hydrogen to decarbonize the chemical and steel industries. Founded in 2021 by Dr. Caleb Boyd and Dr. Kevin Bush, with a mission to decarbonize…
EU Launches First “Net-Zero Academy” to Train 100,000 Workers for Climate Tech Value Chain
The European Commission announced today the launch of the European Solar Academy, the first in a series of planned new Net-Zero Academies providing workers with skills needed for the net zero technologies value train. The new academy aims to train 100,000 workers in the solar photovoltaic value chain over the next three years, addressing a labor and skills gap in…
Microsoft Purchases Carbon Credits Helping U.S. Farmers Adopt Sustainable Agriculture Practices
Sustainable agriculture and biological solutions provider Indigo Ag and Microsoft announced a new carbon removal purchase agreement, with Indigo delivering 40,000 tons of carbon credits to Microsoft generated through the promotion of regenerative agriculture practices by U.S. farmers. Regenerative agriculture practices are aimed at addressing the environmental impact of the sector, and include techniques to improve and restore ecosystems, build…
South Korea’s Gas Gamble Risks Stranded Assets
IEEFA Energy Finance Specialist Michelle Kim explains why the country’s East Sea gas development will not strengthen its energy security. South Korea’s Yoon Suk-yeol administration recently announced the exploratory drilling of potentially massive oil and gas reserves in the East Sea, estimated to hold up to 14 billion barrels of oil and gas. This project aims to address the country’s…
EFRAG, TNFD Release Guide Mapping Connections with CSRD and TNFD Nature-related Reporting
The Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) and the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG) announced the publication of the TNFD-ESRS Correspondence Mapping, aimed at helping companies disclosing nature and biodiversity-related information understand the commonalities between the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) and the TNFD’s disclosure recommendations. Tony Goldner, Executive Director of TNFD, said: “As market participants from over 45…