Former UN Environment assistant secretary-general, Satya Tripathi, is challenging conventional approaches to environmental finance with a bold grassroots initiative. Launching this month at the World Economic Forum in Davos, the Green Economy Accelerator for a Just Transition (GREAT) aims to empower smallholder farmers and promote sustainable practices at the village level in India. Rejecting top-down strategies,…

The U.S. Treasury Department plans to release long-awaited guidance later this week on accessing tax credits for hydrogen production under the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, according to sources familiar with the matter. The guidance will clarify how hydrogen produced using nuclear power could qualify for the credits. A key point of contention has been whether existing…

The Biden administration announced Monday its decision to safeguard the Ruby Mountains in northeast Nevada from oil, gas, and geothermal development for the next 20 years. The Interior Department approved a U.S. Forest Service application to withdraw 264,442 acres of federal land in the Ruby Mountains from mineral and geothermal leasing. This move temporarily halts development…

As COP29's Energy Day kicks off, a stark new report from non-profit CDP highlights a troubling shortfall in corporate renewable energy adoption. Nearly half of the global companies analyzed use no renewable electricity, underscoring the urgent need for accelerated action to combat climate change. The report analyzed nearly 10,000 companies, accounting for a quarter of global…

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has unveiled updated plans to decarbonize high-impact sectors, including oil and gas, chemicals, and power—industries responsible for the bulk of global emissions. The new criteria aim to align businesses with science-based 1.5°C pathways and accelerate the transition to net-zero. Oil and Gas: First-Ever Decarbonization Standard Accounting for 85% of global CO₂…

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) announced today a historic $850 million investment in 43 projects aimed at reducing methane emissions in the oil and gas sector. Seven projects in Colorado and Wyoming, part of EPA Region 8, are among those selected for funding as part of President Biden’s…

The European Commission has unveiled plans for its first net-zero emissions building, set to house the Joint Research Centre (JRC) in Seville, Spain. This landmark project highlights sustainability and innovation, aligning with the principles of the New European Bauhaus initiative. A Sustainable Blueprint Designed to offset both construction and operational carbon footprints, the building will…

The United States has set an ambitious new climate target under President Joe Biden, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 61-66% by 2035 compared to 2005 levels. This builds on the nation’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 as part of the Paris Agreement. Transforming the U.S. Economy The climate strategy leverages landmark federal investments…

The Canadian Sustainability Standards Board (CSSB) has unveiled a pivotal new framework for sustainability reporting with the release of CSDS 1: General Requirements for Disclosure of Sustainability-related Financial Information and CSDS 2: Climate-related Disclosures. These inaugural Canadian Sustainability Disclosure Standards mark a transformative step in enhancing transparency and comparability in sustainability reporting across the nation. Key…

EFRAG is pleased to announce the delivery of its technical advice on the Voluntary Sustainability Reporting Standard for non-listed micro-, small-, and medium-sized undertakings (VSME), following the express request of the European Commission (EC) confirmed on December 12, 2024. The VSME is a key step toward simplifying sustainability reporting for SMEs and supporting their access to…

In response to the escalating global pollution crisis, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) has established a Pollution Working Group to develop new Topic Standard(s) on pollution. This initiative brings together 17 multi-stakeholder experts from around the world, who will focus on improving and expanding disclosures related to pollution across the GRI Standards. The working group’s primary…

The European Parliament has approved a one-year delay for the EU deforestation law, which aims to ban products sourced from deforested or degraded land. Initially set to take effect in December 2024, large companies now have until December 30, 2025, to comply, while small and micro enterprises will have until June 2026. Why the Delay? The…