EU-backed initiative aims to test pilot projects across 13 countries as coastal pressures mount Fishing boats still line the harbors from Nouakchott to Monrovia, but the catch is thinner, the storms harsher, and the coastline more fragile each year. For millions in West Africa, the ocean is both lifeline and
Alliance at a Crossroads The Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA), a UN-backed coalition of global banks formed to align finance with climate goals, has paused its activities and launched a member vote on its future structure. The Steering Group confirmed on 27 August that members are considering whether to transition from
State Street, one of the world’s largest custodians, has taken a significant step into digital finance by joining JPMorgan’s blockchain platform to support tokenized debt issuance. The move marks a first for an independent custodian and underscores how traditional financial institutions are adopting blockchain to modernize capital markets. On August
By Keith Tuffley COP30 isn’t a technical debate, but a strategic shift in financing models and investment in reforestation initiatives. As the world prepares for COP30 in the heart of the Amazon, the role of nature and forests will be elevated as never before. Brazil is setting the agenda, not
The European Union has approved funding for 13 projects under its Mission Ocean and Waters initiative, committing €116 million to efforts ranging from fish-friendly river pathways to a digital twin of the ocean. The aim: to restore Europe’s waters and the livelihoods they sustain. The new projects will span the
Tokyo-Based Insurer Steps Into Nature Finance Nippon Life Insurance Co. has launched a “Nature Finance Approach” to measure how corporate activity affects ecosystems, with development support from sustainability consultancy ERM. The framework adapts the Planetary Boundaries concept, developed by the Stockholm Resilience Centre, into financing decisions. It gauges impacts using
Key Impact Points Billions Flow to Forest-Risk Commodities The 2025 Forest 500 – Finance report finds that the 150 financial institutions with the greatest exposure to deforestation risk channelled $8.9 trillion in 2024 to 500 companies linked to the production, processing, and trade of nine forest-risk commodities, including beef, palm
Key Points: Africa at the Center of Global Transformation The Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI) has released its Unstoppable Africa 2024 Executive Summary, calling for a fundamental shift in how Africa’s economic narrative is shaped and financed. The report emphasizes building an inclusive financing model that addresses Africa’s unique challenges
Performance Overview The S&P Transatlantic 50 SDG FMC Weighted Index measures equity performance across the Eurozone and U.S., weighted by float-adjusted market capitalization within each region and capped by sector. Constituents are selected for strong alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and screened to exclude companies with specific business
Key Impact Points: Landmark Bank–State Partnership in Forest Carbon Markets Standard Chartered has signed a five-year agreement with the Government of Acre, Brazil, to bring high-integrity jurisdictional forest carbon credits to market, potentially releasing 5 million credits in 2026. Located in the Amazon rainforest, Acre will use the programme to
