ESG News Week In Review: 27 October – 02 November
In this week’s ESG News Week In Review, global climate momentum converged around finance, disclosure, and resilience.
Tokyo issued the world’s first certified climate resilience bond, while New Zealand lifted its climate reporting thresholds and the UK’s FCA prepared to regulate ESG ratings providers. Bill Gates called for a global policy rethink ahead of COP30, and Brazil reported an 11-year low in Amazon deforestation.
On the corporate front, Microsoft backed Canada’s Arca in a 300,000-tonne carbon mineralization deal, Google invested in AI-driven carbon cleanup in Brazil, and Brookfield launched an $80B nuclear partnership with the U.S. to power AI growth. The EU, meanwhile, expanded its sustainability “passport” framework through the ISSB and eased rollout timelines for deforestation rules.
In finance, Iberdrola raised €1B through Europe’s first green hybrid bond, while the EIB Group and Santander mobilized $1B for inclusive SME growth. As Climate Week conversations spotlighted AI’s role in accelerating decarbonization, the intersection of data, disclosure, and energy innovation defined the week’s headlines.
GOVERNMENT, POLICY & REGULATION
- Billionaire Bill Gates Urges Climate Policy Rethink Ahead of COP30 in Brazil
- New Zealand Lifts Climate Reporting Thresholds to Revive Capital Markets
- Tokyo Issues World’s First Certified Resilience Bond Worth €300 Million
- Morocco Sets 2040 Deadline to End Coal Power and Accelerate Renewables
- ISSB Expands ‘Global Passport’ Framework to Align Sustainability Disclosure across Markets
- FCA to Regulate ESG Ratings Providers Under New UK Legislation
- Nissan Joins CO₂ Pool with BYD to Meet EU Fleet Emission Targets
- Brazil Cuts Amazon Deforestation to 11-Year Low Ahead of COP30
CARBON
- Microsoft Backs Canada’s Arca in 300,000-Tonne Carbon Mineralization Deal
- Google Backs AI-driven Carbon and Methane Cleanup in Brazil
- Bloomberg Deepens Transition Analytics as Investors Seek Clarity on Low-Carbon Risks and Returns
CLIMATE & ENERGY TRANSITION
- US, Brookfield and Cameco Launch $80B Nuclear Partnership to Power AI Growth
- Google Backs NextEra in Reviving Iowa Nuclear Plant to Supply 600 MW of Clean Power
- Meta Expands ENGIE Partnership to 1.3 GW with 600 MW Texas Solar Project
- TotalEnergies Ordered to Remove Website Claims After Paris Court Partially Upholds Greenwashing Case
- KPMG 2025 CEO Outlook: Energy Leaders Turn to AI to Drive Growth and Sustainability
- Singapore Expands Jurong Island for Renewable Energy and Data Centre Development
- Japan Advances Maritime Decarbonization with World’s First Land-Based Hydrogen Engine Test
- Neoen Launches 412 MW Goyder South Wind Farm to Power South Australia’s 100% Renewables Goal
CLIMATE WEEK VIDEOS
- Jeff Gitterman Speaks About AI and Climate Resilience Investment at Nest Climate Campus, Climate Week 2025
- AI-Ready Grids: Integrating Hyperscale Loads Faster, Cleaner, Cheaper at Nest Climate Campus, Climate Week 2025
- Beauty Powered by Nature: Partnerships for a More Sustainable Future at Nest Climate Campus, Climate Week 2025
- Mets & Javits Center Waste Diversion: Big Recycling Strategies from Climate Week 2025
- Advancing the Circular Economy: Key Takeaways on Collaborative Partnerships from Nest Climate Campus at Climate Week 2025
SUSTAINABLE/ CLIMATE FINANCE
- EIB Group, Santander Mobilize $1B for Spain’s Green and Inclusive SME Growth
- Iberdrola Raises €1B in First EU Green Hybrid Bond After Strong Investor Demand
- Tokyo Issues World’s First Certified Resilience Bond Worth €300 Million
- Uniper Launches Green Finance Framework to Accelerate Decarbonization Strategy
- Redwood Raises $350M to Expand U.S. Energy Storage and Critical Materials Supply
- Amundi Wins $635M UK Universities Fossil-Free Cash Fund Mandate
- Mozambique Receives $2M Drought Insurance Premium as AfDB’s Climate Risk Programme Reaches $150M
ESG INVESTING & FUNDS
- Bloomberg Deepens Transition Analytics as Investors Seek Clarity on Low-Carbon Risks and Returns
- Norges Bank Investment Management sets 2030 Climate Action Plan Toward Net-Zero
- ADGM Hits $28.6 Trillion in Global Assets After a Decade of Growth
- Net Purpose Acquires SDI AOP to Create Global Standard for Sustainable Investing
- ISS STOXX Launches Climate Analytics Platform for Real Assets to Strengthen Investor Risk Management
ENVIRONMENT, NATURE & BIODIVERSITY
- Google Backs AI-driven Carbon and Methane Cleanup in Brazil
- PepsiCo, Bioversity Alliance Expand Open-Access Climate Resilience Platform for Agriculture
- Rolls-Royce Tests World’s First 100% Methanol Marine Engine, Advancing Green Shipping Transition
- H&M, Recover™ Sign Multi-Year Partnership to Scale Recycled Cotton Supply
- Brazil Cuts Amazon Deforestation to 11-Year Low Ahead of COP30
ESG & SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING
- New Zealand Lifts Climate Reporting Thresholds to Revive Capital Markets
- ISSB Expands ‘Global Passport’ Framework to Align Sustainability Disclosure across Markets
- LEGO Group to Adopt Expanded GHG Reporting Framework by 2026
TOOLS & SERVICES, TECHNOLOGY
- Bloomberg Deepens Transition Analytics as Investors Seek Clarity on Low-Carbon Risks and Returns
- SGS Expands Partnership with EcoVadis to Deliver Trusted ESG Auditing Services
- Novisto Named to Deloitte’s 2025 Technology Fast 50
📬 Subscribe to ESG News Daily Brief to stay informed with trusted sustainability news every morning.
Follow ESG News on LinkedIn!
