In the US, the Supreme Court delivered a ruling that limits the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from regulating GHG emissions in the power sector, potentially undercutting the US goal of reaching net zero by 2050.
In its latest Unburnable Carbon update, UK financial think-tank Carbon Tracker has warned that around $600 billion in ‘unburnable’ oil and gas reserves is listed on global stock exchanges. If regulation to accelerate the net zero transition begins to bite, stranded asset risks could hit the markets, with most of the risk concentrated in London, New York, Moscow and Toronto.
Insurance, FMCG and private equity players join forces in a new regenerative agriculture fund for innovation, in a market that looks set for low carbon transition.
The much-delayed global meeting of the Convention on Biodiversity (CBD) ended in Nairobi, not with a bang but a whimper. There has been little forward movement despite the increasingly recognised risks around biodiversity loss, with over half of the world’s total GDP ($44 trillion) moderately or highly dependent on nature.
Following months of debate, the Council and European Parliament have reached a provisional political agreement on the corporate sustainability reporting directive (CSRD).
Global packaging giant Tetra Pak has announced a new land restoration initiative in Brazil, the first of its kind for the packaging industry. Forest restoration plays a vital role in combating climate change, as trees absorb and store carbon dioxide as they grow.
With the arguments about whether or not ESG ratings give useful guidance to investors about which companies are taking action on climate change, it's important to talk about how investors with climate or net zero targets should react. Should they divest (sell stakes in poor-performing companies), or encourage them to improve performance through strong stewardship?
The cost of renewables continued to fall in 2021 as supply chain challenges and rising commodity prices have yet to show their full impact on project costs. The cost of electricity from onshore wind fell by 15%, offshore wind by 13% and solar PV by 13% compared to 2020.
There is an assumption today that good ESG performance will result in access to lower cost capital. What drives that assumption and is it true? Is it simply about good governance and corporate management, is it about taking action on climate change or even about social action on health, equality or education? More importantly, is it the only benefit?
A new carbon credit settlement platform, Carbonplace, has just run a pilot transfer with VISA (NYSE:V). With backing from major financial institutions, this could mark a new phase for the carbon markets and pave the way for credible, real-time, secure and transparent cross-border carbon credit settlements.
