Climate finance, carbon markets, and clean tech innovation defined this week’s ESG headlines.

China launched a green foreign debt program to boost global capital flows, while the UK outlined draft transition finance guidelines. In the U.S., California courts upheld climate disclosure laws, and homeowners rushed to solar before tax incentives expire. On the carbon front, Verra teamed with S&P Global on a next-gen credit platform, Marsh delivered insurance for a $210M removal project, and Deep Sky achieved North America’s first CO₂ storage via direct air capture.

Meanwhile, Google and partners advanced the first U.S. deployment of an advanced nuclear reactor, Masdar committed $1.7B from green bond proceeds to clean energy, and BlackRock’s GIP took a nearly 50% stake in Eni’s carbon capture unit.

GOVERNMENT, POLICY & REGULATION

• China Launches Green Foreign Debt Financing to Boost Global Capital Flows
• UK Unveils Draft Transition Finance Guidelines to Support High-Emitting Sectors’ Decarbonization
• Homeowners Pile Into Solar Before Federal Tax Incentive Ends
• Philippines to Launch Carbon Credit Policy for Energy Sector
• California Court Upholds Climate Disclosure Laws, Rejects Chamber of Commerce Challenge
• ESMA, EU Environment Agency Tighten Ties on Sustainable Finance Oversight

CARBON

• Verra Partners with S&P Global on Next-Generation Carbon Market Platform
• Deep Sky, Skyrenu Achieve North America’s First CO₂ Storage via Direct Air Capture
• BlackRock’s GIP Buys 49.99% Stake in Eni’s Carbon Capture Business
• Philippines to Launch Carbon Credit Policy for Energy Sector
• Marsh Delivers Carbon Credit Insurance to Drive $210M Financing for U.S. Carbon Removal Project

CLIMATE & ENERGY TRANSITION

• Google, Kairos Power and TVA to Deploy First Advanced Nuclear Reactor
• Meta, Silicon Ranch and Central Electric Advance 100 MW Solar Project in South Carolina
• SBTi Invites Automakers to Pilot Draft Net-Zero Standard
• STX Group Delivers First Sustainable Aviation Fuel Certificates to Boost Market Access
• Google’s Approach to Cutting AI’s Energy, Water and Carbon Footprint
• LG Cuts Carbon Emissions and Plastic Use in Air Conditioner Manufacturing
• Masdar Commits $1.7B in Green Bond Proceedings to Clean Energy Projects

SUSTAINABLE FINANCE

• ESMA, EU Environment Agency Tighten Ties on Sustainable Finance Oversight
• Morgan Stanley Backs Overhaul’s $105M Series C to Advance Supply Chain Sustainability
• Crédit Agricole CIB Backs Zenobē with $355 M Financing to Roll out 1,000 Electric Vehicles across Europe
• Westpac Appoints Michael Chen Deputy Chief Sustainability Officer
• Macquarie Raises $405M for Vertelo to Accelerate India’s EV Transition
• BBVA Raises €1 Billion Green Bond Amid Strong Investor Demand
• UmweltBank Expands Sustainable Investment Options with Green & Social Bond ETF
• AirTrunk Secures $1.65B Green Loan for Largest-ever Data Centre in Singapore

And More…

EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS

• Westpac Appoints Michael Chen Deputy Chief Sustainability Officer
• BlackRock’s Larry Fink Appointed as WEF Interim Co-Chair
• UN Global Compact Network USA Names Shobha Meera as Treasurer

ESG INVESTING & FUNDS

• UmweltBank Expands Sustainable Investment Options with Green & Social Bond ETF
• BlackRock’s GIP Buys 49.99% Stake in Eni’s Carbon Capture Business
• Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners Acquires 1 GWh Battery Storage Project in Arizona
• Achmea IM Launches €250M Private Equity Impact Fund

ENVIRONMENT, NATURE & BIODIVERSITY

• Assent Launches EU Deforestation Regulation Compliance Software Ahead of 2025 Deadline
• ERM, Nippon Life Launch Nature Finance Approach to Advance Biodiversity Investment
• EY Study: 78% of C-suite Leaders to Boost EHS Investment, But Only Half Make It Core Strategy
• PepsiCo, Bold Reuse Roll Out Reusable Cups at NFL Stadium

ESG & SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING

• AIIB Publishes First Sustainability Report Applying ISSB Standards
• California Court Upholds Climate Disclosure Laws, Rejects Chamber of Commerce Challenge

TOOLS & SERVICES, TECHNOLOGY

• Assent Launches EU Deforestation Regulation Compliance Software Ahead of 2025 Deadline
• Verra Partners with S&P Global on Next-Generation Carbon Market Platform
• Allectrify Launches FASTPACE.com to Streamline C-PACE Financing Nationwide
• 500 Global Launches Program to Scale Sustainable Startups in the Global South

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