In response to a recent Bloomberg article, the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) CEO clarified the organization's commitment to a thorough and transparent standard-setting process for its Corporate Net-Zero Standard. SBTi emphasized that no changes to the standards have been made without following the established Standard Operating Procedure, which includes public consultation and formal approval…
The Biden-Harris Administration has announced nearly $900 million in funding through the EPA’s 2023 Clean School Bus Program to support the replacement of older, diesel-fueled school buses with over 3,400 new clean school buses, 92% of which will be electric. This funding will benefit approximately 530 school districts across nearly every state, Washington, D.C., several…
The European Commission has sanctioned a €1.4 billion state aid package to support the IPCEI Hy2Move project, aimed at advancing hydrogen technology in the mobility and transport sectors. This initiative aligns with the EU’s climate-neutral goals by 2050 and supports the European Green Deal and the EU Hydrogen Strategy. Prepared by seven member states, the…
Sustainability is a multifaceted concept that aims to maintain the quality of life for both present and future generations by balancing ecological, social, and economic requirements. It is a framework for making decisions that promote social equity, nurture economic viability, and respect the natural resources of our planet. To fully understand sustainability, it is necessary to…
Heidelberg Materials has launched a Green Finance Framework to fund sustainable projects and support its decarbonization initiatives. This framework is aligned with current best market practices and standards, enabling the company to issue Green Bonds to finance or refinance assets and capital expenditures that meet specified eligibility criteria. The initiative aims to increase the share…
Indicators of ESG performance are crucial tools for organizations dedicated to sustainability. Organizations can optimize their overall business outcomes, identify areas that require improvement, and obtain valuable insights into their sustainability performance by implementing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) metrics. Companies with comprehensive ESG practices have outperformed their competitors, according to a McKinsey report; 63% of…
Ørsted has signed a landmark deal with Microsoft to sell an additional one million tonnes of carbon removal over a ten-year period from its Avedøre Power Station, part of the Ørsted Kalundborg CO2 Hub project. This new agreement builds on Microsoft's existing commitment to buy 2.67 million tonnes from Ørsted’s Asnæs Power Station, bringing the…
Google has announced the formation of Symbiosis, a coalition with Meta, Microsoft, and Salesforce aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of nature-based carbon removal projects. This multi-company effort seeks to leverage the latest scientific advancements to scale high-quality carbon removal solutions, such as reforestation and mangrove restoration. Symbiosis addresses the complexities of measuring and verifying the…
The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Deutsche Bank have launched a new mortgage program aimed at promoting climate-friendly housing and energy-efficient home renovations in Germany. The program will offer over €600 million in discounted mortgages to individuals building new eco-friendly homes or upgrading their existing homes to improve energy efficiency. Supported by a €150 million…
Google has initiated its first offsite heat recovery project in partnership with Haminan Energia, aimed at providing sustainable heat to the local community in Hamina, Finland. This innovative project will capture heat generated by Google's Hamina data center, which operates with 97% carbon-free energy, and redirect it to meet 80% of the annual heat demand…
Holcim has launched its state-of-the-art GO4ZERO plant in Obourg, Belgium, aiming to produce 2 million tons of net-zero cement annually by 2029. The €500 million project, celebrated in a groundbreaking ceremony attended by Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and European Commissioner for Climate Action Wopke Hoekstra, represents a significant step in advancing Europe's decarbonization…
Honda Motor Co. has announced a substantial $65 billion investment over the next ten years to boost its electric vehicle (EV) capabilities. This initiative aims to introduce seven new electric models globally by 2030 and build a robust supply chain for EV batteries, including partnerships with LG Energy Solution and GS Yuasa. CEO Toshihiro Mibe…