HSBC partners with Google, works toward $1B climate tech investments goal

Under the new deal, companies part of the GCR-sustainability program will be able to explore venture debt financing options offered by HSBC’s specialist climate tech finance team.

By Zoya Mirza • Feb. 12, 2024

Barclays ceases direct funding of new fossil fuel projects

The London-based bank will also require all its portfolio energy companies to report their scoped emissions reductions targets and any expansion plans by Jan. 1, 2025.

By Lamar Johnson • Feb. 12, 2024

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from ESG Dive

This year has shaped up to be a formative one for ESG, both on the regulatory and financial front, with the SEC’s climate disclosure rule and the battle over shareholder rights and proposal approvals.

By ESG Dive staff

Cost cutbacks to go hand-in-hand with emissions reduction strategy: USPS

The postal service said it plans to slash scope 1 and 2 emissions by 40% and scope 3 emissions by 20% by 2030, compared to a 2021 baseline.

By Zoya Mirza • Feb. 9, 2024

Shell rebrands climate tech company Studio X as Onward, eyes net-zero economy

The updated energy venture falls in line with the oil major’s goal to become a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050.

By Zoya Mirza • Feb. 8, 2024

Recurrent Energy raises $160M, secures Microsoft as client for solar project

The tech giant will be the sole purchaser of all the energy and renewable energy credits produced by the Louisiana-based Bayou Galion Solar project.

By Zoya Mirza • Feb. 7, 2024

ESG to be a ‘major’ M&A driver in 2024: Norton Rose Fulbright

The vice president of a U.S. corporation warned in the report that companies will cancel acquisition deals if “critical ESG information is not provided or unavailable.”

By Lamar Johnson • Feb. 7, 2024

Green investor Brookfield scores $10B for latest energy transition fund

The fund will invest in the expansion of clean energy, the development of sustainable solutions and the decarbonization strategy of companies from high-emitting sectors.

By Zoya Mirza • Feb. 6, 2024

US sustainable funds saw net outflows in 2023: Morningstar

However, the amount of total assets in U.S. sustainable funds increased last year, and Bloomberg reported the global ESG bond market opened 2024 with a record January.

By Lamar Johnson • Feb. 6, 2024

Arjuna Capital, Follow This pull Exxon climate proposal after lawsuit

Natasha Lamb, Arjuna Capital’s chief investment officer, warned the lawsuit will silence investors concerned about climate risks.

By Lamar Johnson • Feb. 5, 2024

Allianz launches platform tracking pathways, investments needed for net-zero

The free, open source tool will combine sector and geographic information on the emissions reductions and investments required to limit global temperature rise.

By Lamar Johnson • Feb. 2, 2024

Climate software startup Watershed clinches $100M in funding

The funding will allow the company to continue developing climate programs for clients — helping them measure, report and reduce emissions — and increase its investments in Europe.

By Zoya Mirza • Feb. 2, 2024

Sustainable investments are still rising, so are greenwashing concerns: Morgan Stanley

Global investors are looking to increase their sustainable investments, but are still concerned about a lack of trust in ESG data.

By Lamar Johnson • Feb. 1, 2024

The ESG industry outlook on 2024: Climate disclosure rules, proxy voting and more

The upcoming year will determine how national and international regulation, shareholder rights and proposal approvals, and scope 3 reporting influence the ESG landscape.

By Zoya Mirza , Lamar Johnson • Jan. 30, 2024

Texas AG bans Barclays from state municipal bonds over ESG

The Lone Star state said the ban stems from the bank’s association with the Net Zero Banking Alliance and refusal to provide additional information about its carbon emissions commitments.

By Lamar Johnson • Jan. 29, 2024

HSBC launches first net-zero transition plan in a move to slash emissions

The bank’s plan to meet climate objectives comes against a backdrop of financial institutions facing pressure to address climate risk and sever ties with the fossil fuel industry.

By Zoya Mirza • Jan. 26, 2024

US solar industry awaits federal moves on interest rates, tax credits as global M&A activity drops 15%

Global corporate solar funding rose to $34.3 billion last year with help from IRA incentives, while high interest rates slowed acquisition activity, said Mercom Capital Group CEO Raj Prabhu.

By Diana DiGangi • Jan. 26, 2024

76% of companies link pay to ESG performance in rising trend: WTW

The biggest companies are weaving ESG into pay incentives despite a backlash against the use of sustainability as a metric for corporate performance.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 25, 2024

BlackRock commits $500M to Recurrent Energy, expands renewable power portfolio

The investment allows the asset manager to have a 20% stake in the company, and marks the inaugural transaction by its fourth climate infrastructure fund.

By Zoya Mirza • Jan. 24, 2024

Public pensions in liberal-leaning states falling short on addressing climate risk: report

Most public pension funds had inadequate proxy guidelines and proxy voting records to mitigate climate-related financial risks, Sierra Club found.

By Zoya Mirza • Jan. 23, 2024

New Hampshire bill would make use of ESG in investments a felony

The bill would punish “knowingly” using ESG factors in investment decisions with at least a year in prison.

By Lamar Johnson • Jan. 22, 2024

House GOP says SEC is overstepping authority, cannot demand climate disclosures

Expert witnesses for the Financial Services Subcommittee differed in legal interpretations of the agency’s power to issue the rule.

By Lamar Johnson • Jan. 19, 2024

Exclusive: Pro-ESG group tallies $150M in Big Oil donations to Republicans opposing SEC climate rule

A broad majority of the nearly 250 Republican state and congressional lawmakers have also expressed concerns about the rule’s inclusion of scope 3 disclosure, according to Unlocking America’s Future.

By Lamar Johnson • Jan. 18, 2024

BlackRock buys Global Infrastructure Partners, makes $12.5B bet on infrastructure market

The asset manager cited “a movement toward decarbonization and energy security in many parts of the world” as a reason for the deal.

By Lamar Johnson • Jan. 16, 2024

Missouri’s bid to dismiss anti ESG-rules suit is denied

The U.S. federal judge’s decision greenlights a lawsuit challenging two of the state’s ESG rules that affect financial institutions.

By Lamar Johnson • Jan. 10, 2024

4 ESG trends that set the tone for 2024

It’s shaping up to be a big year for ESG with a packed SEC agenda, fights over corporate DEI efforts and shareholder rights and a focus on financing the net zero transition.

By Lamar Johnson , Zoya Mirza • Jan. 10, 2024