This week in ESG news: Google confirms “moonshot” clean energy goal remains in place despite AI buildout; Microsoft signs first large-scale carbon removal deal since reportedly exiting market; SBTi broadens focus to climate target implementation, high-emitting sectors; NextEra acquires Dominion to form U.S. electricity giant; Australia proposes removing smaller companies from climate reporting requirements; HSBC launches $4 billion facility to scale China climate tech companies; Sustainable bond volumes rebound after soft Q4; Temasek likely to miss 2030 climate goals, still committed to net zero by 2050; ISS sued by 4 states over ESG policies, 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
SBTi Broadens Focus from Climate Target Setting to Implementation
Google Exec Confirms 2030 Carbon Free Energy Commitment Remains in Place Despite AI Buildout
Microsoft Signs First Major Carbon Removal Deal Since Reportedly Pausing Purchases
Sustainability as a Driver for Growth
Ford’s New BESS Unit Signs 5-Year Energy Storage Deal with EDF
BBVA Achieves 99% Global Renewable Electricity Use
NextEra Acquires Dominion to Create U.S. Electricity Giant
Government & Regulators
Singapore, World Bank Partner to Scale National Carbon Markets
Four States Launch Lawsuits Against Proxy Advisor ISS Over ESG Policies
PayPal Settles US Anti-DEI Probe into Program Supporting Minority Businesses for $30 Million
Sustainability Reporting
Australia Proposes Removing Smaller Companies from Sustainability, Financial Reporting Requirements
ESG Services and Tools
Datamaran Launches New Tools to Support CSRD, ISSB Compliance, Governance
Novata Launches Portfolio, Supply Chain Risk Monitoring Solution
La Caisse Invests in Sustainability Reporting Software Provider Novisto
ISS-Corporate Launches New ISSB Sustainability Reporting Solution
Sustainable Finance
HSCB Backs Circular Economy Investment Platform Circulate Capital
HSBC, Temasek-Backed Pentagreen Raises $800 Million for Asia-Focused Green Transition Fund
Sustainable Bond Issuance Rebounds in Q1 2026, Still Down from Prior Year: Moody’s
HSBC Launches $4 Billion Facility to Help China Clean Tech Companies Scale Internationally
Sustainable Investing
Private Equity & Venture Capital
CIP Launches €1.5 Billion Bioenergy Fund
Schroders Acquires Biomethane Platform APF Energy
CIP, BII Launch $300 Million India-Focused Clean Energy Platform
GridCARE Raises $64 Million to Squeeze More Power out of Grids
Carbon Equity Launches Fund Giving Investors Access to Energy Transition Loans
Crew Carbon Raises $25 Million for Technology Combining Wastewater Treatment, Carbon Removal
Exec Moves
ISS STOXX Appoints Julia Leske as Head of Sustainability Business for APAC
