Key Impact Points: Climate Impact to Climate Transition Record-breaking heatwaves and catastrophic storms in 2024 have shifted global attention from long-term climate goals to the immediate costs of climate impacts. In 2025, the focus will transition further toward implementing clear, credible climate transition frameworks. These frameworks must address energy efficiency,
Key Impact Points: UNGC’s Sustainable Finance Report The United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) Network USA hosted a private event to celebrate the launch of its sustainable finance report, Driving Progress: Sustainable Finance for the Advancement of the SDGs. This report underscores the essential role that the U.S. private sector plays
Key Impact Points: Investors’ Short-Term Focus Undermines ESG Momentum A recent EY Institutional Investor Survey reveals a growing disconnect between investors’ stated commitment to ESG principles and their actual investment behaviors. The survey polled 350 decision-makers globally, including asset managers, wealth managers, and pension funds. Despite 88% of respondents indicating
Key Impact Points: A New Climate Finance Target At COP29, countries finalized a New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. Developed countries pledged to lead efforts to mobilize $300 billion annually by 2035, within a broader target of $1.3 trillion for developing nations. This commitment shapes climate finance talks
Key Impact Points: Goldman Sachs Exits NZBA Amid Political Pressures Goldman Sachs, a prominent member of the Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA), has decided to leave the coalition. The alliance, established three years ago, united over 140 global banks to align financial operations with net-zero emissions goals by 2050. However, rising
Landmark Commitments at COP16 The COP16 UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) conference in Riyadh has secured over $12 billion in funding to address land degradation and drought resilience. Held under the theme “Our Land, Our Future,” the event marked significant progress in tackling these critical global challenges. Key contributions
The $23 Trillion Problem Land degradation and droughts are intensifying, with droughts increasing by nearly 30% in frequency and intensity since 2000. According to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), up to 40% of the world’s land is degraded, threatening agriculture, water security, biodiversity, and livelihoods. UNCCD warns that
Key Impact Points: AI as a Cost-Saving Imperative Organisations are rapidly adopting AI, aiming to enhance productivity and gain a competitive edge. With global digital transformation spending projected at $235 billion this year, leaders face mounting pressure to demonstrate rapid returns on AI investments. Boston Consulting Group’s (BCG) research highlights
Key Impact Points: Latin America’s Leadership in Blue Bonds Latin America is emerging as a leader in blue bonds, a sustainable finance tool aimed at supporting ocean-friendly projects and clean water resources. In 2023, the region accounted for nearly half (49.1%) of global blue bond issuance, totaling $2 billion, primarily
Key Impact Points: A High-Stakes COP29 Drama Negotiations at COP29 in Azerbaijan teetered on the brink of collapse as tensions boiled over during closed-door talks. Food shortages and rising frustrations pushed representatives of the most vulnerable nations, including island states, to walk out of discussions. While brinkmanship is common at
