European battery cell manufacturer ACC (Automotive Cells Company) announced today that it has raised €4.4 billion (USD$4.7 billion) in debt financing, aimed at supporting the construction of three gigafactories for lithium-ion battery cell production in France, Germany, and Italy. ACC was founded in 2020 as a joint venture by Stellantis and TotalEnergies – with Mercedes-Benz joining the JV in 2021…
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the launch of a new funding opportunity, providing up to $100 million to support projects to remove, store and utilize carbon from the atmosphere, as part of efforts to develop a commercially viable carbon dioxide removal industry in the U.S. Carbon removal is emerging as a key tool in the fight to address…
The UK government announced a new requirement for developers to deliver a Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) of 10% for all major building projects, improving the overall status of natural habitats and ecosystems across new housing, industrial or commercial developments. Introduced in the UK’s 2021 Environment Act, Biodiversity Net Gain aims to create and improve natural habitats, in order to ensure…
More than two thirds of consumers report being unwilling to spend more time or money on sustainable energy actions, despite high levels of energy sustainability awareness, as affordability and access perceptions hold back clean energy behaviors, according to a new global consumer survey released by professional services firm EY. For the study, “Energy transition consumer insights,” EY surveyed nearly 100,000…
Emerging markets funds face losing the French socially responsible investment (SRI) label if they do not divest from a number of jurisdictions. The Investissement Socialement Responsable (ISR) label announced stricter eligibility criteria in December 2023, including funds becoming ineligible if they invest in companies involved in new projects related to the exploration, exploitation and refining of fossil fuels, or if…
Investors with a long-term view understand a company’s ability to deliver financial results, and therefore investment returns, depends on its ability to manage physical climate and biodiversity risks, while navigating future regulation and shifting consumer tastes. It’s a key reason for engagement on climate, nature and human rights. Without effective stewardship of portfolios, risks can be misunderstood or left unmitigated,…
AXA Investment Managers (AXA IM) announced today the appointment of Jane Wadia as Head of Sustainability, Core Products & Clients, responsible for leading AXA IM Core’s sustainable product strategy and external representation. The announcement marks the second recent sustainability-related appointment for AXA IM’s core investment platform, following the appointment in January of Thomas Coudert as Head of Sustainability, Core Investments….
In this Q&A, Ed Simpson, head of energy and infrastructure at Gravis Capital Management, shares his thoughts on the economic considerations surrounding the future of net zero in the UK, exploring the costs of implementation, potential long-term consequences of inaction, and the crucial need for diversification in energy generation. Why is the UK spending so much money trying to achieve…