• info@esgwise.org
Australia Proposes Removing Smaller Companies from Sustainability, Financial Reporting Requirements

Australia Proposes Removing Smaller Companies from Sustainability, Financial Reporting Requirements

Australia’s government has proposed significant changes to its corporate reporting rules, including raising the threshold of companies required to publish audited financial and sustainability reports to exempt those with revenues under A$100 million and assets of $50 million. Alongside the proposed changes, unveiled with the release of Australia’s 2026 Budget, the government also announced plans to consult on reforms to…

Alquity’s Gonzalez: ESG risks and reform momentum in South Korea

For over two decades, South Korean equities have traded at a discount to emerging markets more broadly, averaging 35% on a trailing P/B basis. This is not because of macroeconomic weakness or inferior businesses, but primarily due to the way those businesses are run. The chaebol system (family-controlled conglomerates with opaque cross-shareholding structures that enable control over assets far exceeding…

Standard Life launches Sharia-compliant pension option

Standard Life has launched a fully Sharia-compliant pension option, the Standard Life Sharia Universal Strategic Lifestyle Profile, expanding its range of responsible investment options for members of its workplace pension schemes. Available specifically to workplace scheme members, the new strategy adheres to the principles of Sharia Law, creating a pension default with clear ethical boundaries and Sharia certification. Standard Life has…

ESG Today: Week in Review

ESG Today: Week in Review

This week in ESG news: ECB warns climate & nature risks “very likely being underestimated” by banks; SEC tells court it plans to scrap corporate climate reporting rules; BBVA sustainable finance activity jumps 33%; Ford turns old EV battery capacity into new energy storage business; New York to push back “unattainable” climate goals; EcoVadis, Workiva partner on Scope 3 data…

Crux Secures $500 Million to Grow U.S. Clean Energy Financing Platform

Crux Secures $500 Million to Grow U.S. Clean Energy Financing Platform

Fintech startup Crux announced that it has closed a $500 million debt financing facility with Nuveen’s infrastructure credit investment platform, with the new capital to be used to scale its commercial participation in the clean energy financing market through tax driven investments. Launched in 2023, Crux provides capital markets solutions across advisory, investments, technology, and intelligence, aimed at making funding…

Sunraycer Secures Over $900 Million to Build Texas Solar and Storage Portfolio

Sunraycer Secures Over $900 Million to Build Texas Solar and Storage Portfolio

Renewable energy developer Sunraycer Renewables announced that it has secured $901 million in financing to support the construction and operation of three solar and battery energy storage projects in Texas. Founded in 2021, Maryland-based Sunraycer focuses on the development, financing, ownership and operation of utility-scale solar and battery energy storage projects across the U.S., with a particular focus on Texas….

FTSE Russell, Planetrics to Launch Climate-Scenario Indices for Investors

FTSE Russell, Planetrics to Launch Climate-Scenario Indices for Investors

Index provider FTSE Russell, and climate risk analytics platform announced a new agreement to explore a new partnership to jointly develop climate-scenario based indices and analytics, aimed at enabling investors to embed climate insights into financial decision making. Founded in 2014, Planetrics provides advanced modelling of physical and transition climate impacts across a variety of assets, sectors and regions, offering…

Lightrock Raises $500 Million to Scale Clean Energy Access in Emerging Markets

Lightrock Raises $500 Million to Scale Clean Energy Access in Emerging Markets

Sustainability-focused private equity investor Lightrock announced that it has raised $500 million in commitments for Accelerate7, a new fund aimed at supporting businesses expanding access to clean energy and sustainable energy solutions across across Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Southeast Asia According to the company, more than 660 million people globally still lack access to electricity, while approximately 2.1 billion…

ECOncrete Raises $14 Million to Scale Ecosystem-enhancing Marine Construction Materials Technology

ECOncrete Raises $14 Million to Scale Ecosystem-enhancing Marine Construction Materials Technology

New York-based ECOncrete announced that it has raised $14 million in a new funding round, with proceeds from the financing aimed at scaling its technology to improve the ecological sustainability of marine infrastructure. Founded in 2012, ECOncrete develops nature-inclusive concrete solutions designed to enhance biodiversity and climate resilience in coastal and offshore infrastructure projects, including seawalls, breakwaters, ports, waterfronts, offshore…