In this week’s ESG News Week In Review, Europe advanced both ambition and enforcement as lawmakers approved a binding 90% emissions cut by 2040 while limiting carbon credit use and banning the destruction of unsold clothing under new circular economy rules. Vietnam signed a $974 million LNG deal to bolster energy security, underscoring the ongoing balance between transition goals and supply stability as trade pressures linked to the EU carbon border mechanism reshape industrial strategy.

Markets moved decisively across carbon, clean power, and finance. Boomitra issued a record 3.03 million soil carbon credits, Zurich secured new removal volumes, and Deep Sky backed Quebec’s carbon storage expansion as buyers locked in high-integrity supply. Meta secured up to 6.6 GW of nuclear power for AI growth, TotalEnergies signed a 1 GW solar deal with Google, and major SAF projects reached financial close in Europe. Green bonds, battery storage financing, maritime decarbonisation funds, and advanced nuclear ventures signaled continued capital commitment to large-scale transition infrastructure.

GOVERNMENT, POLICY & REGULATION

• EU Moves To Ban Destruction Of Unsold Clothing Under New Circular Economy Rules
• EU Sets Binding 90% Emissions Cut By 2040 As Lawmakers Add Carbon Credit Limits
• Vietnam Signs $974 Million LNG Deal To Strengthen Energy Security

CARBON

• Fusion Startup Inertia Raises $450M to Commercialize Proven Fusion Science
• India Backs Steel Sector As EU Carbon Border Tax Pressures Exports, Trade Strategy
• Zurich Secures 1,200 Tons Of Carbon Removal Through Parallel Carbon Deal
• Boomitra Issues Record 3.03 Million Soil Carbon Credits After Verra Approval
• Chestnut Carbon Secures First North American FSC Biodiversity Verification For IFM Forest Project
• Deep Sky Supports Quebec Carbon Storage Law To Scale Removal Investment
• HAMR Energy Secures $7M Series A to Scale Low Carbon Fuels for Aviation, Shipping in Australia

CLIMATE & ENERGY TRANSITION

• ERM, Jupiter Intelligence Partner To Turn Physical Climate Risk Into Investment and Resilience Strategy
• IEA Forecasts Renewables And Nuclear To Reach 50% Of Power Mix By 2030
• Shell Reviews Strategic Options For $1.55B Sprng Energy As Oil Majors Reset Low Carbon Strategy
• TotalEnergies Signs 1 GW Solar PPA With Google For Texas Data Centers
• Heathrow Targets 5.6% SAF Use in 2026 With $100M Incentive to Exceed UK Mandate
• SkyNRG Reaches Financial Close On 100,000-Tonne SAF Plant In Netherlands Backed By Global Lenders
• BNP Paribas, Eclipse Partner To Scale European Battery Storage Financing And Energy Resilience
• Meta Secures Up To 6.6 GW Nuclear Power To Fuel AI Data Center Growth
• LanzaTech Targets 80,000 Tonne SAF Output With $740M UK Plant
• DHL, Westwing Expand Low Carbon Logistics Partnership To Accelerate European E Commerce Delivery

EXECS ON THE MOVE

• Kroger Appoints Ex Walmart U.S. Leader Greg Foran To Take CEO Role
• Green Steel Startup Stegra Appoints Markus Holm as CFO

SUSTAINABLE/CLIMATE FINANCE

• Bezos Earth Fund Backs 48 Climate Innovations With $4.8M Global Climate Fund Initiative
• Dcycle Acquires ESG AI company ESG-X – M&A Alert
• Vietnam Signs $974 Million LNG Deal To Strengthen Energy Security
• EU-Backed EIB Programme Channels $6.5B Into SME Energy Savings
• Contour Global Allocates $657M From $1.1B Green Bond to Renewables, Storage
• Tem Secures $75M To Scale AI Infrastructure As Power Demand Surges 165% By 2030
• Newcleo Secures $88 Million To Advance Nuclear Waste-Fueled Reactors
• IFAD Raises $70M Sustainable Development Bond With Nordic Investors
• Deutsche Bank Issues $594M EU Green Bond for Taxonomy-Aligned Housing
• Eurazeo Secures $189M First Close For Maritime Decarbonisation Fund Targeting European Fleet Transition

ESG INVESTING, FUNDS

• SOLV Energy Debuts On Nasdaq At $6B Valuation As Renewable Infrastructure Gains Investor Momentum
• KKR Invests $603 Million In HMC Energy Transition Platform To Scale Grid Storage In Australia

ENVIRONMENT, NATURE & BIODIVERSITY

• EU Moves To Ban Destruction Of Unsold Clothing Under New Circular Economy Rules
• Chestnut Carbon Secures First North American FSC Biodiversity Verification For IFM Forest Project
• Sony, Global Partners Build First Renewable Plastics Supply Chain For High Performance Electronics
• BMW Group, PreZero Partner To Build Closed Loop Recycling Model For Europe’s Automotive Supply Chains

TOOLS & SERVICES, TECHNOLOGY

• ERM, Jupiter Intelligence Partner To Turn Physical Climate Risk Into Investment and Resilience Strategy
• Dcycle Acquires ESG AI company ESG-X – M&A Alert
• Morningstar Sustainalytics Updates Climate Transition Toolkit for Investors

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