This week in ESG news: SBTi launches its net zero target standard for banks and investors; JPMorgan, Microsoft develop new financing model to scale carbon removal projects; Deutsche Bank reports its strongest sustainable finance results in 4 years; Morgan Stanley survey finds businesses increasingly see profitability, growth opportunities from sustainability initiatives; Lloyds launches carbon and nature markets practice; EU plans a new omnibus package to simplify environmental regulations; ICJ says countries have an obligation to cut GHG emissions; SEC won’t say if it will uphold its own climate reporting rules; Mizuho acquires Augusta to boost its energy transition investment banking business, and more.
See below for the highlights of the past week, and get all your ESG news at ESG Today:
Sustainability Goals, Initiatives and Achievements
Kimberly-Clark Invests Over $165 Million to Decarbonize Manufacturing with Green Hydrogen
Meta Buys 100% of Renewable Energy from New $900 Million Solar Project to Power U.S. Data Centers
JPMorgan, Microsoft Back New Financing Model to Scale Nature-Based Carbon Removal Projects
INEOS Invests $40 Million to Decarbonize UK Chemical Site
88% of Companies See Sustainability as a Value-Creation Opportunity: Morgan Stanley Survey
Government & Regulators
EU Plans to Simplify Regulations on Industrial Emissions, Circular Economy, Waste Management
ICJ Opinion Opens the Door for Climate Change Lawsuits Against Developed Nations
UK to Allow Use of Carbon Removals in Emissions Trading System
ESG Reporting
SEC Declines to Say if it Will Uphold Climate Disclosure Rule if Lawsuit Against it Fails
Guest Post: As EU Sustainability Rules Come Under Siege, Businesses Rally to Their Defence
Guest Post – CARB’s Latest FAQ: Your Guide to Clearer CA Climate Disclosures
ESG Services and Tools
Gold Standard Releases Certification Requirements for Engineered Carbon Removals
Jupiter Intelligence Launches New Solutions Enabling Banks, Investors to Quantify Climate Risk
Sustainability Compliance Solutions Provider osapiens Invests $40 Million to Enter UK Market
Sustainable Finance
Deutsche Bank Reports Strongest Sustainable Finance Quarter Since 2021
Mizuho Acquires Energy Transition-Focused Investment Bank Augusta
Standard Chartered Launches New Sustainable Cash Management Solution for Corporate Clients
Guest Post: Insurance Must Adapt to the New Climate Reality
Lloyds Launches Carbon and Nature Markets Practice
SBTi Releases Net Zero Standard for Banks, Investors
Sol Systems Secures $675 Million to Fund Solar & Storage Projects Across U.S.
Private Equity & Venture Capital
Goldman Sachs Acquires Liquid Waste Solutions Provider LES
Ambienta Acquires Sustainable Agriculture Platform Agronova
Makersite Raises $70 Million to Help Manufacturers Design More Sustainable Products
GeologicAI Raises $44 Million to Use AI to Source Critical Minerals
Exec Moves
Petrobras Appoints New Chief of Energy Transition and Sustainability