The EU watchdog plans to ramp up scrutiny of sustainable financial products, warning providers not to make “unsubstantiated” claims. The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has developed a new tool that will enable it to better identify cases of greenwashing in the investment management industry. In a new report, the watchdog said it had recently increased its analytical efforts…
Foresight Raises €300 Million for Article 9 Energy Transition Infrastructure Fund
Real assets-focused investment manager Foresight Group announced that it has raised €300 million in commitments at the first close of its energy transition fund, Foresight Energy Infrastructure Partners II. Focused on long-term value creation, FEIP II is classified as an Article 9 fund under the EU’s SFDR regulation, and aims to invest in strategic energy assets that eliminate bottlenecks to…
GRI Launches Update of Standards to Report on Impact on Workers
The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) announced today the launch of a new review of all of its labor-related standards, aimed at enabling companies to report on their impacts on workers, and improving transparency on workplace labor and human rights. GRI Sustainability Reporting Standards are one of the most commonly accepted global standards for sustainability reporting by companies, developed to enable…
Candriam Launches New Article 9 Sustainable Water Fund
Sustainability-focused asset management firm Candriam announced today the launch of the Candriam Sustainable Equity Water Fund, a new actively managed fund aimed at investing in companies pursuing and developing solutions to reduce pressures on water resources caused by human activities. According to Candriam, the new fund is being launched as the world faces a water shortage, exacerbated by the impacts…
TotalEnergies, Air Products Sign Long-Term Green Hydrogen Supply Agreement
Energy company TotalEnergies and industrial gases company Air Products announced a new 15-year green hydrogen supply agreement aimed at reducing the operating greenhouse gas emissions footprint of TotalEnergies’ European refineries. The announcement follows the launch last year by TotalEnergies of tenders for the supply of 500,000 tons per year of green hydrogen. TotalEnergies has six refineries in Europe, including three…
New EU Sustainable Fund Naming Rules Could Lead to $40 Billion Divestments: Morningstar
Two-thirds of funds in the EU labelled with sustainable or ESG-related terms may need to sell assets or change their names to align with new anti-greenwashing rules, with stock divestments of as much as $40 billion if all were to keep their names, according to a new report released by investment research firm Morningstar. The new report follows the release last…
ESG Today: Week in Review
This week in ESG news: Deloitte study finds over 70% of companies have abandoned M&A deals over ESG concerns; CDP launches new sustainability reporting platform; EU regulators call for action on greenwashing in financial sector; H&M warns against use of carbon credits in corporate net zero plans; Climeworks unveils carbon removal tech breakthrough; Kimberly-Clark’s new Chief Sustainability officer; carbon markets…
Kimberly-Clark Appoints Lisa Morden as Chief Sustainability Officer
Consumer brands company Kimberly-Clark announced the appointment of Lisa Morden as its first Chief Sustainability Officer. In her new role, Morden will lead Kimberly-Clark’s Sustainability Function, responsible for operationalizing the company’s climate and sustainability-related initiatives, with a team of global program leaders working to coordinate the execution of programs supporting the company’s climate, energy, environmental stewardship, fiber sourcing, water management,…
Rio Tinto to Invest $143 Million in New Low Carbon Steel Project
Global mining and metals company Rio Tinto announced plans to develop a new facility in Western Australia, aimed at testing the effectiveness of a new low-carbon ironmaking process, including a pilot plant to test production at a semi-industrial scale. Rio Tinto expects to invest $143 million (A$215 million) in the project, which the company said will support the decarbonization of…