The European Central Bank (ECB) has unveiled its second set of climate-related financial disclosures, revealing a noteworthy decline in carbon emissions from its monetary policy portfolios. Key drivers include the Eurosystem's tilting framework and issuers' improved carbon efficiency, with one-fifth of reductions attributed to reinvestments favoring better climate performers. Expanded disclosures now encompass 99.7% of…

The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) has announced significant strides in harmonizing sustainability disclosure through strategic partnerships and a new two-year work plan. Key collaborations include the Transition Plan Taskforce, GHG Protocol, CDP, Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures, and Global Reporting Initiative. These efforts aim to streamline sustainability reporting, ensuring investors receive high-quality, comparable information.…

A landmark $10 billion climate resilience bond is proposed for California’s November 2024 ballot, aiming to become the largest voter-approved climate investment in U.S. history. The bond focuses on protecting the state's most vulnerable communities and natural resources from the impacts of climate change. With support from over 180 organizations, the initiative promises comprehensive solutions,…

Vietnam Electricity (EVN) is advancing its integration of renewable energy sources, with solar and wind now making up 12% of its energy mix. Despite these efforts, the utility still heavily relies on coal to prevent blackouts and ensure a stable electricity supply. In May 2024, EVN produced 21.05 billion kWh, predominantly from coal-fired plants, to…

On World Environment Day, June 5, we reflect on the extraordinary career of Sir David Attenborough, who, beginning in the 1950s, evolved from a zoologist into a leading climate advocate, earning the UN’s highest environmental accolade. “We must recognize that we are all citizens of one planet, or we won’t solve its problems,” Attenborough stated in…

This festival season, Decathlon is launching an innovative initiative aimed at reducing waste and promoting sustainable festival experiences. The “No Tent Left Behind” campaign showcases the complete range of Quechua MH100 tents, encouraging festival-goers to engage in responsible outdoor activities while earning rewards for their contributions. A Commitment to Sustainability The “No Tent Left Behind” campaign, endorsed…

A recent Clarity AI study suggests that 44% of funds using environmental and impact terms may need to change their names or divest assets to comply with new EU regulations. The research reveals that these funds are invested in assets breaching the Paris-aligned benchmark (PaB) exclusionary criteria, which disallows investments in sectors such as controversial…

China's Ministry of Finance has announced a draft guideline to unify corporate sustainability disclosures, aiming to establish a nationwide standard by 2030. This move aligns with the global emphasis on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) issues and aims to enhance the international competitiveness of Chinese companies. Currently, corporate sustainability disclosures in China are voluntary and…

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…

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 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…

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…