ESG News Week In Review: 30 September – 06 October

Welcome back to the ESG News Week In Review!

To get ESG News’s?full?‘ESG News Week In Review’ and ESG News Daily email newsletter,?subscribe here.

ESG NEWS SMART READ OF THE WEEK

Tim Mohin: California Climate Disclosure Law Advances, EU Delays Deforestation Rule

This week, the EU and the US seemed to swap roles as California advanced its climate disclosure law, maintaining the 2026 reporting deadline for large companies. On the other side of the role switch, the EU Commission proposed to delay its deforestation rule by a year.

Key Impact Points:

• California advances climate disclosure law: Despite concerns, California upheld its 2026 climate reporting deadline for large companies, signaling strong U.S. climate action independent of SEC rulings.
• EU deforestation rule delay: The EU Commission proposes delaying its deforestation regulation by a year, allowing countries additional time to prepare compliance systems for blocking products linked to deforestation.
• Impact of California's leadership: California's strict environmental policies often set the standard nationwide, with four states now considering similar climate disclosure laws.
• EUDR’s new compliance guidance: Along with the delay, the EU issued 11 clarifications and 40 FAQs to aid companies in understanding and preparing for the deforestation regulation.

Click here to view the full article

This?Smart Read?article is contributed by?Tim Mohin, Global Sustainability Leader, BCG . Every week ESG News delivers smart commentary from ESG practitioners and experts to unpack issues of the week. Submit your ESG Smart Read to?[email protected]

ESG AROUND THE WORLD

• EU Delays Mandate on Business Supply Chains to Eliminate Deforestation
• Major Companies Commit to 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy with Climate Group’s New Coalition
• Shein Under Scrutiny: Italian Probe into Greenwashing Claims
• Global Renewable Energy Jobs Reached Record 16.2 Million in 2023: International Renewable Energy Agency
• Colombia Unveils $40 Billion Climate Transition Plan to Replace Fossil Fuel Revenue
• EU Commission Adopts Infringement Package for Member States Failing to Transpose Key Directives
• Britain Closes Last Coal-Fired Power Station, Leading G7 Nations in Ending Coal Dependence for Electricity

CLIMATE & ENERGY TRANSITION

• Google and Adani Group Partner on Solar-Wind Hybrid Project to Power India’s Clean Energy Shift
• Guest Post: 5 Best Practices for Financial Institutions to Achieve Climate Compliance
• US Climate Goals at Risk: AI Surge and Slow Renewable Growth Could Derail Progress, Says BloombergNEF Report
• China Invests Over $100 Billion Overseas in Cleantech Since 2023, Driven by Trade Barriers
• Ahead or Behind? New Ceres Report Outlines Climate Finance Strategies for U.S. Banks
• Tata Power to Invest $14.3 Billion in Rajasthan Over 10 Years, Focus on Renewable Energy

And More…

SUSTAINABLE FINANCE

• BNP Paribas Lists Four ESG Equity ETFs on London Stock?Exchange
• HSBC and IFC Launch Specialized Fund to Support Sustainable Bond Issuers in Emerging Markets
• A.P. Moller Holding Invests €1.5 Billion in Fossil-Free Plastics Venture, Vioneo
• MAS Highlights Market-Based Approaches as Key to Coal Transition in Asia
• AIIB Commits $100 Million to Climate Transition Investments in Emerging Asia
• Asda, HSBC UK Introduces Sustainability-Linked Supply Chain Finance Scheme
• World Bank Launches New Sustainable Finance Center to Equip Francophone Africa with Green Business Skills
• WWF and CDP Call for Integration of Nature-Related Risks in Banking Regulations to Mitigate Financial Crises

And More…

CARBON MARKETS

• Reducing Real Estate’s 40% Global Emissions: Insights from FTSE Russell and Measurabl
• India Implements Standardized Carbon Accounting Across Airports to Achieve Net Zero Emissions

RESEARCH & ANALYTICS

• 32% of Respondents Identify CFOs as Pivotal Leaders in Sustainability Reporting Across Asia Pacific: New Deloitte Survey
• Reducing Real Estate’s 40% Global Emissions: Insights from FTSE Russell and Measurabl
• China’s Clean Energy Trends Could Cut Emissions by 30% in 2035 if Sustained, Think Tanks Says
• US Climate Goals at Risk: AI Surge and Slow Renewable Growth Could Derail Progress, Says BloombergNEF Report
• Global Renewable Energy Jobs Reached Record 16.2 Million in 2023: International Renewable Energy Agency

SUSTAINABILITY GOALS, INITIATIVES AND ACHIEVEMENTS

• The Future of Sustainable Jobs: Diverse Predictions and Emerging Trends
• Ferrari Shuts Gas-Fueled Plant Early to Double Solar Production
• Unilever Drives Major Supplier Emission Reductions Through Climate Programme
• Microsoft and ESB Launch Green Hydrogen Pilot to Power Dublin Data Centre
• Climeworks and Coca-Cola HBC Collaborate on World’s First CO?-Neutral Sparkling Water
• Maersk Advances Gender Equality with 45% Women Cadet Intake in India for 2024

ESG INVESTING & FUNDS

• BNP Paribas Lists Four ESG Equity ETFs on London Stock?Exchange
• Morgan Stanley’s 1GT Climate Private Equity Fund Closes at $750 Million, Targeting Gigaton CO2 Reduction
• LSEG Showcases Role in Climate Transition Finance through Case Study in GFANZ Publication
• FTSE Russell Launches Two New Fixed Income Indices to Support Investors’ Climate Commitments Using TPI Data

TECHNOLOGY, ESG TOOLS & SERVICES

• Marriott Hotels UK Implements Winnow AI to Cut Food Waste by 50% by 2025
• World Bank Launches New Sustainable Finance Center to Equip Francophone Africa with Green Business Skills
• Siemens Launches Digital Decarbonization Tool at Climate Week NYC to Help Simplify the Path to Net-Zero Facilities