Key Impact Points: NZBA Relaxes Climate Target Requirements The United Nations-backed Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA) has officially lowered its climate ambition, scrapping the requirement for member banks to align with a strict 1.5°C warming scenario. New guidelines released April 15 now aim to keep warming “well below 2°C, striving for
IMO Approves First Global Carbon Pricing Framework for Shipping In a landmark move for global climate action, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has approved the world’s first industry-wide carbon pricing framework for shipping. This historic agreement introduces a two-tier carbon fee system, imposing a $100 per ton levy on CO₂
Key Impact Points: UNDP and BMUV Deepen Support for Nature-Based Corporate Reporting The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the German Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMUV), through the International Climate Initiative (IKI), have announced new support for the IFRS Foundation and the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB)’s Nature-related Disclosure
In a landmark decision for sustainable finance, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved the Green Impact Exchange (GIX) as a national securities exchange. This approval marks a significant step toward integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into the core of capital markets. A New Era for
Key Impact Points: False Optimism Amid Economic Chaos African governments, including Kenya, have attempted optimism despite America’s tariff disruptions. Kenya’s Ministry of Trade highlighted a minimal 10% tariff impact, hoping to attract foreign direct investment (FDI). Others suggested low African trade volumes with the U.S. might buffer the continent. Yet,
Key Impact Points: Urgent Call to Action To accelerate progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Africa, the United Nations Global Compact hosted the SDGs Activation Day during the 11th Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD-11). The event, part of the Forward Faster Now Africa initiative, gathered
The “Scaling Transition Finance” report, published in October 2024 by the Transition Finance Market Review (TFMR), offers a comprehensive roadmap for mobilizing the substantial capital required to achieve global net-zero goals. Commissioned by the UK government and hosted by the City of London Corporation, the report emphasizes the pivotal role
Key Impact Points: Trump Moves to Undermine State Climate Regulations President Donald Trump has issued an executive order aimed at halting state-level efforts to limit fossil fuel use and curb climate change. The directive, released Tuesday, tasks the U.S. attorney general with identifying and blocking state laws that target carbon
Key Impact Points: New York Moves to Require Annual GHG Emissions Reporting As part of its Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act) implementation, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has released draft regulations for a Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (6 NYCRR Part 253). The
Key Impact Points: ESCAP Sounds Alarm on Disproportionate Impact of New US Tariffs The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) has warned that the latest US tariff hikes—announced on April 2, 2025—could devastate exports from several Asia-Pacific countries. With a new average tariff rate
