Since launching in 2019, the EU Green Deal has set the global standard for climate and sustainability progress. But five years later, with a stagnating economy and a political shift to the right, the EU is reconsidering its approach to increase economic competitiveness. Last September, former Italian Prime Minister Mario
Key Takeaways Integrating Climate Considerations Standard Chartered has released its Transition Plan, detailing how it embeds climate considerations into decision-making to support its net zero strategy. The plan outlines a clear framework for engagement with corporate and institutional clients, ensuring sustainable finance solutions drive decarbonization. Driving Emissions Reductions The plan
Key Takeaways: UN Global Compact’s Endorsement The UN Global Compact has reiterated its backing for mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence, reinforcing its commitment to corporate accountability. The initiative emphasizes that sustainability laws must align with international frameworks, including the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and
Key Impact Points: As of early 2025, the Climate Action Tracker (CAT) reports that 16 countries have submitted their 2035 NDC targets. Among these, only the United Kingdom’s commitment aligns with the 1.5°C modelled domestic pathways. The remaining 179 countries, including major emitters like China, India, and the EU, have
Key Takeaways: Renewed Push for Biodiversity Finance Countries are convening in Rome this week to revive efforts to secure $200 billion per year for biodiversity conservation, following the 2022 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework agreement. However, divisions over funding sources and governance remain unresolved. The United States, which is not a
Key Takeaways: HSBC Revises Net-Zero Ambition HSBC has officially postponed its goal of reaching net-zero emissions across its own operations, business travel, and supply chain from 2030 to 2050, according to its latest annual report. The U.K.-based banking giant—Europe’s largest by market capitalization, assets, and revenue—said it had “revisited [its]
Key Takeaways: A Global Wake-Up Call UNESCO and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) are spearheading a global initiative to protect Earth’s glaciers, which provide freshwater to over 2 billion people. WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo underscored the urgency: “Melting ice and glaciers threaten long-term water security for many millions of people.
Key Takeaways: CEOs Embrace AI and Climate Investments PwC’s 28th Annual Global CEO Survey, covering 4,701 executives worldwide, highlights that while some companies are rapidly integrating AI and sustainability efforts, others lag behind, risking long-term viability. “The future is already here—it’s just not evenly distributed,” author William Gibson once wrote.
Key Takeaways: Data Center Energy Use is Growing Data center energy consumption in the U.S. has surged from 76 TWh in 2018 to 176 TWh in 2023, representing 4.4% of total electricity use. Globally, energy use ranged between 240-340 TWh in 2022, excluding network activity (260-360 TWh) and cryptocurrency (100-150
Key Takeaways: The Urgency of Sustainable Finance The UN Global Compact Network USA’s new report, Driving Progress: Sustainable Finance for the Advancement of the SDGs, highlights the pivotal role of the U.S. private sector in advancing global sustainability. Released at the GreenBiz conference in Phoenix—attended by over 6,000 leaders—the report
