This week in ESG news: SEC fines Invesco $17.5 million over ESG investing claims; IAASB releases first sustainability reporting assurance standards; EU lawmakers delay supply chain deforestation law; Shell wins appeal against landmark climate ruling; CDP strengthens alignment of sustainability reporting platform with GRI, EU standards; IKEA invests $1.6 billion to decarbonize store heating and cooling; UK, Brazil reveal new 2035 climate goals at COP29; ISO launches new principles for ESG performance and reporting; EY study finds companies aren’t reporting climate impacts on financial statements; COP29 kicks off with breakthrough deal on carbon markets; capital raises for green agtech, clean fuels, smart grids, carbon removal tech, and more.

See below for the highlights of the past week, and get all your ESG news at ESG Today:

Sustainability Goals, Initiatives and Achievements

IKEA Invests $1.6 Billion to Decarbonize Heating and Cooling of Stores

PUMA Commits to Slash GHG Emissions from Operations by 90% by 2030

Ahold Delhaize Signs Renewable Energy Deal Covering 30% of its European Electricity Needs

Air Canada Purchases 78 Million Liters of Sustainable Aviation Fuel from Neste

Breakthrough International Agreement Reached at COP29 to Advance Global Carbon Market

Shell Wins Appeal Against Court Ruling Requiring it to Slash Emissions from Use of Products

Guest Post: Collaboration and Inclusivity – the Lessons Baku Should Learn from COP16

ESG Reporting

GRI, CDP to Strengthen Alignment of Sustainability Reporting Frameworks

IAASB Releases New International Sustainability Reporting Assurance Standard

CDP Strengthens Alignment with European Sustainability Reporting Standards

Government & Regulators

UK to Ban New Coal Mines

EU Lawmakers Agree to Delay, Ease Law Banning Deforestation-Linked Products

UK Commits to Cut Emissions More than 80% by 2035

Brazil Cuts Amazon Deforestation by 31%, Sets New 2035 Climate Goals

ESG Services and Tools

ISO Launches Principles for ESG Performance and Reporting

Guest Post: Traceability Data Holds the Key to Decarbonization and Green Investment

Sustainable Finance

GenZero, Trafigura Invest Over $100 Million in Nature Restoration Carbon Removal Project in Colombia

Private Equity & Venture Capital

Vaulted Deep Raises $32 Million to Expand Biomass Carbon Removal and Storage Capacity

NitroVolt Raises €3.5 Million to Produce Green Fertilizers for Farmers

Sustainable Agriculture Platform Klim Raises $22 Million

Sympower Raises $23 Million to Accelerate Energy Grid Flexibility Solutions

General Galactic Raises $8 Million to Turn CO2 into Clean Fuel

EIP Raises Investment in Eni’s Renewables, Power and EV Charging Business Plenitude to $850 Million

Sustainable Investing

SEC Fines Invesco $17.5 Million for Misleading ESG Investing Claims

Exec Moves

Denham Capital Appoints Justin DeAngelis as Global Head of Sustainable Infrastructure

Reports, Studies & Surveys

Nearly Two-Thirds of Companies not yet Reporting Climate-Related Financial Impact on Financial Statements: EY

Companies Rapidly Setting Operational Net Zero Targets, While Value Chain Emissions Goals Stall: Accenture