Mercedes-Benz announced an update to its sustainability strategy, with the company shifting to focus on a set of six key strategic environment, social and corporate governance topics assessed to have a significant impact on the company’s stakeholders and society. The new focus areas, presented at the company’s 17th Mercedes-Benz Sustainability Dialogue, include Decarbonisation, Resource Use […]
Impact News
EU Lawmakers Approve Regulation to Establish Carbon Removal Certification System
The European Council announced that it has given final approval for the establishment of the first EU-level certification framework for permanent carbon removals, carbon farming and carbon storage in products, creating a voluntary framework aimed at craeing a certification system to quantify, monitor and verify carbon removals, and to counter greenwashing. The adoption of the […]
EU Regulators Call on Banks, Investors to Integrate Climate Risks Following “Fit-For-55” Stress Test
The EU’s financial regulators announced the release of the results of the “Fit-For-55” climate stress test, examining the resilience of banks, investment funds and the pension and insurance sectors to the transition to a low carbon economy. The stress test found that while transition risks alone are unlikely to threaten financial stability, the sector could […]
Guest Post – COP29 Signals Turning Point: Lessons from History for Carbon Market Regulation
The Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM) is emerging as an essential tool in combatting climate change, providing a way for companies and individuals to offset their carbon emissions. However, today’s VCM operates in a largely unregulated space, riddled with uncertainty, lack of transparency, and questions around the quality and reliability of carbon credits. This makes the […]
Iceberg Data Lab Launches Tool Enabling Investors to Assess Portfolio Deforestation Impact
Environmental data provider Iceberg Data Lab (IDL) announced the launch of a new tool, aimed at enabling investors to measure their deforestation impact of companies, or the surface of forest which is destroyed by their activity each year. The tool currently covers 3,500 listed companies in the world, producing seven sensitive raw materials – beef […]
BlackRock, Samsara Buy Sustainable Aviation Fuel to Compensate for Business Travel Emissions
Climate solutions platform Watershed announced that it has facilitated the purchase of sustainable aviation fuel certificates (SAFc) on behalf of customers including BlackRock, Ripple, Samsara, and Block. These certificates will be utilized by the companies to supply sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to Alaska Airlines passenger flights. In return, the companies will receive carbon offset credits […]
EU Council Passes Legislation to Regulate ESG Ratings Providers
EU member states in the European Council announced today that they have adopted new rules to regulate ESG ratings providers, aimed at improving the reliability and comparability of ESG ratings and boosting investor confidence in sustainable financial products.
Die Dekarbonisierung von Immobilien verhilft zu Wertsteigerungen
Nutzer profitieren von Kosteneinsparungen, Investoren vermeiden „Stranded Assets“ Die ESG-Faktoren spielen bei immer mehr Mietern, Eigentümern und Investoren eine wichtige Rolle, sowohl wegen eigens gesetzter Verpflichtungen als auch aufgrund des zunehmenden regulatorischen Drucks. Dementsprechend groß ist der Bedarf an „Low-Carbon-Flächen“, das Angebot jedoch verschwindend gering. Investoren und Eigentümer sollten die Chance nutzen und Angebot schaffen […]
ESG Today: Week in Review
This week in ESG news: SEC fines Invesco $17.5 million over ESG investing claims; IAASB releases first sustainability reporting assurance standards; EU lawmakers delay supply chain deforestation law; Shell wins appeal against landmark climate ruling; CDP strengthens alignment of sustainability reporting platform with GRI, EU standards; IKEA invests $1.6 billion to decarbonize store heating and […]
Vaulted Deep Raises $32 Million to Expand Biomass Carbon Removal and Storage Capacity
Biomass carbon removal and storage (BiCRS) startup Vaulted Deep announced that it has raised $32 million in a Series A funding round, with proceeds aimed at expanding its capacity to deliver durable carbon dioxide removal (CDR) through the geologic sequestration of carbon-filled organic waste. Spun out of injection well-focused waste management company Advantek in 2023, […]
Der steigende CO2-Preis beschleunigt die energetische Wende
ESG wird zunehmend konkreter, wie die Heuer-Jahreskonferenz zum Thema zeigt. Während die Neuregelungen zum CO2-Emissionshandel die flächendeckende Umsetzung der energetischen Transformation beschleunigen dürften, ist das sozial ausgerichtete Investment noch eine Nische, da viele Gebäudeeigner den Dokumentationsbedarf scheuen. Der allerdings steigt durch die CSRD-Richtlinie der EU ohnehin.
ISO Launches Principles for ESG Performance and Reporting
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) announced the launch of the ISO ESG Implementation Principles, a new set of guidance aimed at enabling companies globally to improve ESG integration, performance, measurement and reporting. The new principles are being released, according to ISO, as companies face increasing ESG scrutiny and a substantial increase in ESG regulations, […]
IKEA Invests $1.6 Billion to Decarbonize Heating and Cooling of Stores
IKEA parent INGKA Group announced that it is committing €1.5 billion (USD$1.6 billion) towards the acceleration of the phasing out of the use of fossil fuels for heating and cooling its stores, with investments in energy efficiency improvements and renewable heating and cooling technology. According to INGKA Group, the new investments will contribute towards the […]
Ahold Delhaize Signs Renewable Energy Deal Covering 30% of its European Electricity Needs
Netherlands-based international food retailer Ahold Delhaize said that it has entered into a Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA) with Spanish renewable energy company Bruc, supporting the financing and construction of a cluster of five solar power plants in Seville, Spain. Supplying 460 GWh of power per year, the VPPA will cover approximately 30% of Ahold […]
NitroVolt Raises €3.5 Million to Produce Green Fertilizers for Farmers
Agriculture sustainability-focused startup NitroVolt announced that it has raised €3.5 million euros (USD$3.7 million) in seed funding, with proceeds to be used to help to commercialize its system for producing ammonia for farmers with a minimal carbon impact. Ammonia is used extensively in a number of areas, especially agriculture as a key ingredient in nitrogen […]