Finance: Page 13


  • Photo looking up at high rises and Wall Street sign.
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    franckreporter via Getty Images
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    JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley shareholders modestly support Indigenous rights, climate proposals

    While voters did not approve shareholder resolutions at either meeting, the results displayed similar, if not greater, support as nearly identical proposals at other large U.S. banks.

    By May 24, 2024
  • A close up of Shell's logo.
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    Scott Barbour via Getty Images
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    Shell shareholders approve diluted climate strategy at annual meeting

    Shareholders also rejected a resolution from shareholder activist Follow This to align the oil major’s scope 3 goals with the Paris Agreement.

    By May 23, 2024
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    Win McNamee via Getty Images
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    State finance officials, fund trustees join CalPERS to oppose ExxonMobil slate

    A group of 13 state officials and pension plan leaders have urged major asset managers to vote against the oil major’s board and CEO at its May 29 annual meeting.

    By May 23, 2024
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    Opinion

    Investing in green companies: Why private equity should lead the charge

    Investing in green companies not only addresses pressing environmental concerns but offers compelling financial returns as well.

    By Hajar Jouglaf • May 23, 2024
  • Governor of Texas holds a meeting with the governor of Floroida.
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    (2021). [Photograph]. Retrieved from Office of the Texas Governor.
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    House Democrats probe Texas, Florida over financial impact of anti-ESG laws

    Both conservative-led states have laws in place that ban consideration of ESG factors within state funds and policies, leading to divestments from firms that allegedly boycott fossil fuels.

    By May 22, 2024
  • An aerial view of a Texas Oil Refinery
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Anti-ESG laws hurting Texas economically, unpopular with voters: research

    Pro-ESG group Unlocking America’s Future said Texas’ anti-ESG laws are hurting the state’s reputation as being “good for business.”

    By May 21, 2024
  • Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, downtown skyline on the Oklahoma River at dawn.
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    Sean Pavone via Getty Images
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    BlackRock, State Street retain Oklahoma pension system contracts after anti-ESG law pause

    Contract renewals for the two firms were on hold due to Oklahoma’s 2022 Energy Discrimination Elimination Act, which got blocked by a district court judge earlier this month.

    By May 20, 2024
  • A worker in a high-vis vest and hard hat walks between solar panels that cover the roof of a Sam's Club store in California.
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    David McNew via Getty Images
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    IRS extends domestic content bonus credit applicability for hydropower, solar

    The guidance also aims to “remove unnecessary burdens on taxpayers by allowing them to reference default cost percentages,” said American Council on Renewable Energy President and CEO Ray Long.

    By Diana DiGangi • May 20, 2024
  • An engineer walks by solar panels with wind turbines in the background.
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    image via Getty Images
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    Schneider Electric purchases IRA tax credits from solar manufacturer

    The senior director of renewables for Schneider’s sustainability business called the Inflation Reduction Act’s transferable credits a “revolutionary development.”

    By May 17, 2024
  • The California Public Employees' Retirement System building seen during daytime.
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    Max Whittaker via Getty Images
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    CalPERS to commit $25B to private market climate solutions

    The allocation is part of the California pension fund’s strategy to double its climate investments to $100 billion by 2030, which it announced last year.

    By May 17, 2024
  • Aerial view of blue photovoltaic solar panels mounted on industrial building roof for producing clean ecological electricity.
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    Bilanol via Getty Images
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    Clean energy tax credit market poised to grow under new transferability rules

    The transferability mechanism makes it easier for clean energy project developers and owners to sell IRA tax credits for cash.

    By Brian Martucci • May 17, 2024
  • A man walks into a BlackRock office building.
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    Andrew Burton via Getty Images
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    BlackRock shareholders appoint Aramco CEO to board, despite pushback

    A senior strategist for Sierra Club’s Fossil-Free Finance campaign said shareholders cast “concerning votes” on climate-related issues and “appear timid” to engage with BlackRock.

    By May 16, 2024
  • Rep. Sean Casten (D-IL) speaks during a news conference
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    Drew Angerer via Getty Images
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    Congressional Democrats urge SEC to finalize ‘critical’ ESG greenwashing rule

    The lawmakers said the rule will address misleading information about sustainable funds “and other exaggerated or unfounded ESG-related claims amongst funds and investment advisers.”

    By May 15, 2024
  • A truck passes by the BP refinery
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Global banks have spent $6.9 trillion on fossil fuels since 2016: report

    U.S. banks accounted for 30% of the $705 billion private global banks spent on fossil fuel financing in 2023, per the Banking on Climate Chaos report.

    By May 14, 2024
  • Neobank Aspiration, fintech
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    Permission granted by Aspiration
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    Aspiration spins off consumer financial brand into new sustainability-focused company

    The standalone company, helmed by Tim Newell, will continue to operate under the Aspiration brand name and focus on offering climate-friendly products.

    By Rajashree Chakravarty • May 14, 2024
  • Climate activists protest outside the headquarters of Standard Chartered.
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    Dan Kitwood via Getty Images
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    Standard Chartered pledges to reduce methane emissions generated by oil and gas clients

    The goal aligns with the British bank’s goal to decrease its financed carbon emissions and accelerate its pathway to net-zero status by 2050.

    By May 13, 2024
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    Challenge to SEC’s enhanced proxy reporting rule dismissed by appeals court

    The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals said the lawsuit put forward by four Republican-led states lacked standing and failed to provide evidence of alleged increased compliance costs.

    By May 13, 2024
  • The Canary Wharf headquarters of Barclays Bank.
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    Oli Scarff via Getty Images
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    Barclays pressed on climate commitments and Gaza at annual meeting

    The bank was asked to pull back financing for its North American fracking operations during the meeting as it faced protests over its alleged ties to the war in the Middle East outside the venue.

    By May 10, 2024
  • A view of the exterior of the Morgan Stanley headquarters.
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    Stringer via Getty Images
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    Sustainable investing positioned for ‘secular growth,’ despite ESG pushback: Morgan Stanley

    Green and sustainable bond issuance reached $281 billion in Q1, up 36% from $207 billion in the previous quarter, according to Moody’s Investors Service.

    By Suman Bhattacharyya • May 10, 2024
  • Federal Reserve building in Washington, D.C.
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    Climate risks ‘highly uncertain and challenging to measure,’ banks tell Fed

    In the climate scenario exercise, the nation’s six biggest banks found data gaps in real estate exposure, insurance, debtors’ transition risk management and infrastructure, the Fed said.

    By Caitlin Mullen • May 10, 2024
  • Front facade of Oklahoma's state capitol building.
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    Creative via Getty Images
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    Oklahoma judge hits pause on state’s anti-ESG law

    A district court judge issued a temporary injunction Tuesday, blocking enforcement of a state law which boycotted firms over their alleged stance on fossil fuels.

    By May 9, 2024
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Snickers owner Mars commits $47M to slash dairy emissions

    The confectionery giant is testing seaweed feed supplements and plans to open three net-zero farms as it looks to halve its carbon footprint by 2030.

    By Sarah Zimmerman • May 9, 2024
  • Solar panels and wind turbines in the desert producing renewable energy.
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    narvikk via Getty Images
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    High interest rates hit renewable energy harder than natural gas: Wood Mackenzie

    A 2 percentage point increase in interest rates pushes up the levelized cost of electricity for renewables by as much as 20%, according to an analysis by the energy research firm.

    By Emma Penrod • May 9, 2024
  • Business executive seen talking to an engineer in workwear in front of solar panels.
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    Max Kegfire via Getty Images
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    More companies are tying ESG metrics to executive compensation: WTW

    Despite political blowback in the U.S., companies are increasingly incorporating ESG metrics into performance measures and incentive plans, according to the insurance services provider.

    By Suman Bhattacharyya • May 8, 2024
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    Oklahoma adds Barclays to anti-ESG list

    The British bank joins JPMorgan Chase, BlackRock, Bank of America, Wells Fargo and State Street and eight other financial institutions on the list.

    By Rajashree Chakravarty • May 7, 2024