Global Climate News

Robeco, a Dutch asset manager, has expanded its engagement in climate and nature, focusing on natural resource management, deforestation (expanding from palm oil to soy, beef, leather, paper and pulp), biodiversity, and human capital management. They are also initiating new themes on transition minerals (supply chains in electric vehicle batteries) and protecting shareholder rights from weakening regulations.

Finland-based Nordea Bank has been elected to the Executive Committee of the Green Bond Principles (GBP) and Social Bond Principles (SBP). Since 2014, Nordea has helped issue more than 280 sustainable bonds totaling over USD 17 billion. The bank is also a founding member of the UNEP FI Principles for Responsible Banking and participated in the European Commission’s Technical Expert Group on Sustainable Finance.

Global biodiversity loss is at an unprecedented rate, with up to one million species at risk of extinction. More than 50% of global GDP depends on natural resources. The World Economic Forum estimates business opportunities in sustainable resource use to be worth up to USD 10 trillion annually by 2030. Nordea launched a biodiversity fund investing in sustainable resource use and biodiversity restoration.

The article discusses the growth of ESG data services and ratings in financial markets, driven by the European Commission’s Action Plan on Sustainable Finance. It highlights the increasing investment in ESG data services, the need for harmonization of concepts and methodologies, and the importance of improving data availability and quality. The article also points out inherent biases in ESG ratings and suggests best practices for corporations in working with ESG ratings and data.

The European Commission announced that the 2025 EU Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) will focus on "Powering a fair and competitive green transition." The event, scheduled for June 10-12, 2025, will address key energy priorities, including increasing investments in clean energy and technologies. Calls for policy session proposals and EUSEW Awards nominations are open.

The Nordic sustainable bond market saw a record-breaking year in 2023, exceeding USD 60 billion in issuance, a 16% increase from 2022. This growth outpaced the global market, and three out of four quarters saw record issuance levels. The sustainable share of the total Nordic bond market reached 13% in 2023, up from 9% in 2021 and 11% in 2022. Denmark showed particularly strong growth, with sustainable bonds representing 21% of its yearly bond volume in 2023.

The US-based EcoFlow has published a blog post explaining how to get the 30% solar tax credit, which is part of the Inflation Reduction Act and is valid from tax year 2023 through 2032. The post details what costs qualify for the credit, how to claim it, and how it works with other incentives and rebates.

Dr Christine Chow, PhD, CEO of Tracker Group, has 25+ years of experience in investment management, research & consulting, focusing on technology, governance, and sustainability. She's a board member of the ICGN, an honorary advisor to the AFRC Hong Kong, and holds various academic positions. Her work significantly contributes to sustainable finance and responsible investment.

The Tracker Group, home to Carbon Tracker and Planet Tracker, appointed Christine Chow as its inaugural CEO. Chow has 27 years of finance experience and a focus on sustainable and impact investing. The appointment aims to accelerate the group's work in transforming global financial activities to achieve a net-zero and nature-positive future.

The International Capital Market Association (ICMA), Climate Bonds Initiative, and the EU have provided guidance on transition finance to achieve climate goals set in the Paris Agreement. The guidance includes handbooks and reports on transition finance pathways, use of proceeds instruments, and aligning with Sustainability-Linked Bond Principles. The EU report clarifies how companies can disclose compliance with the EU Green Bond Standard. The Climate Bonds Initiative offers a labelling framework for credible transitions.

The year 2024 was the warmest year on record, with global temperatures surpassing 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels. This led to a re-evaluation of global climate strategies, although current commitments are still insufficient. Citi and Bank of America left the Net-Zero Banking Alliance, and BlackRock left the Net-Zero Asset Managers alliance. The Mediterranean region experienced severe climate extremes, including record-breaking heatwaves and devastating floods.

Nordea, the largest financial services group in the Nordic region, launched a SEK/NOK 4.1 billion sustainability-linked bond. The bond finances sustainability-linked loans aligned with the Sustainability-linked Bond Principles, contributing to climate change mitigation through reduced greenhouse gas emissions or energy consumption. The bond's performance is reviewed annually by ISS ESG and a Nordea committee. Several Nordic investors, including Storebrand Asset Management and AMF, participated in the bond issuance.

Nordea's Sustainable Finance Advisory lead in Norway, Catrine Birkevold Liem, discusses the integration of sustainability into banking, the challenges of the sustainable transition, and the increasing awareness and standardization in sustainability reporting. She highlights the importance of aligning high-level commitments with realistic company actions and the need for a holistic view of sustainability beyond climate.

The 15th session of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Assembly convened in Abu Dhabi, UAE, focusing on tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030, enhancing Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0), supporting transitions in emerging economies, and leveraging innovative financial flows in developing countries. The UAE, Slovenia, and IRENA emphasized the shared responsibility of the energy transition and the need for international cooperation to achieve climate and sustainable development goals.

The UK and China have agreed to further cooperation in clean energy, including strengthening the existing UK-China clean energy partnership. China announced plans to issue a sovereign green bond in London in 2025 to finance environmentally sustainable projects. Agreements are expected to deliver up to £1 billion of value to the UK economy.

The SIDS Lighthouses Initiative report highlights significant progress in the energy transition among Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in 2023-2024. Key efforts included supporting SIDS in implementing Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), promoting diverse renewable energy sources, expanding beyond power generation to other sectors, and fostering bankable projects with private sector engagement. Progress was also made in institutional capacity-building, enhancing synergies between renewables and energy efficiency, and linking energy efforts to key sectors like agriculture, health, and water. Strengthening partnerships and promoting socio-economic benefits remain central to accelerating SIDS' sustainable development and climate resilience.

Oregon-based Climate Solutions advocates for a 2025 transportation package to address climate pollution, focusing on zero-emission school buses (LC 1772) and charging infrastructure (LC Pending). They also aim to advance an energy affordability package, including measures to protect ratepayers from utility costs (LC 1806, LC 1547), and expand access to clean technologies (LC 1823, LC 1953). Additionally, they promote innovative transmission solutions (LC 1902, LC 3681) and economic growth through clean tech initiatives (LC 3353) and funding for existing climate programs.

Mozambique's Ministry of Health aims to decentralize services, improve maternal and child health, and expand vaccination programs. However, limited energy access and frequent climate events hinder these goals. Decentralized renewable energy (DRE) solutions are proposed to provide reliable power for healthcare facilities, ensuring continuous operation of essential medical equipment and services.

Brazil launched the Global Coalition on Energy Planning (GCEP), with IRENA as its secretariat. The coalition aims to accelerate clean energy investments in developing countries by promoting effective energy planning. Brazil's Minister of Mines and Energy mentioned leveraging up to USD 70 billion in investment.

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) held its Fifteenth Assembly session, focusing on accelerating the renewable energy transition. Discussions included SDG7 progress, renewable energy partnerships in Central Asia (APRECA), legislative pathways for tripling renewables and doubling energy efficiency, grid and storage solutions, clean cooking initiatives, Mediterranean energy transitions, risk mitigation instruments, a Global Coalition for Energy Planning, environmental impacts of renewables, empowering lives and livelihoods with renewables, community support for the energy transition, and a youth forum. Multiple MoUs were signed with SAARC and KAZENERGY.