This week in ESG news: SEC launches court defense of its climate disclosure rules; UK to introduce law to regulate ESG ratings providers; MUFG launches new sustainable finance framework; ICVCM rejects a third of voluntary carbon credits; EU publishes FAQ to help companies implement new CSRD sustainability reporting rules; Citi launches sustainable supply chain finance program with IFC; PwC appoints Sustainability Executive Sponsor; Blackstone acquires majority stake in energy transition-focused E&C firm; Microsoft partners on community solar development to tackle Scope 3 emissions; Virgin Atlantic ad banned for SAF-powered flight despite using identical language to government; capital raises for e-waste solutions, SAF tech, carbon removal, sustainable water solutions, 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

Microsoft Partners with Pivot Energy to Develop Community Solar Projects to Help Tackle Scope 3 Emissions

JERA Nex Enters U.S. Solar Market with 395 MW Acquisition

The LYCRA Company Sets 2030 Supply Chain Emissions Reduction Goal

Guest Post: Connecting Opportunities with Financial Drivers – Why Businesses Must Embed Sustainability Within Corporate Decision-Making Now More Than Ever

ICVCM Rejects Carbon Credits Based on Renewable Energy

Woodside Acquires Texas-Based Low Carbon Ammonia Project for $2.35 Billion to Meet Industrial Demand for Clean Fuels

ESG Reporting

SEC Defends its Climate Disclosure Rule in Court

EU Commission Publishes CSRD FAQ to Help Companies Implement New Sustainability Reporting Rules

Government & Regulators

Virgin Atlantic Ad Promoting Landmark Sustainable Aviation Fuel-Powered Flight Banned by UK Regulator as “Misleading”

ESG Services and Tools

UK to Introduce Law to Regulate ESG Ratings Providers

Sustainable Finance

Iberdrola Raises $525 Million in Green Bond Offering to Invest in U.S. Network

BBVA Achieves Record $28 Billion Sustainable Finance Activity in Q2 2024

Citi, IFC Launch $2 Billion Sustainable Supply Chain Finance Program for Emerging Markets

MUFG Releases New Sustainable Finance Framework

Private Equity & Venture Capital

Blackstone Acquires Majority Stake in Renewable Energy-Focused E&C Firm Westwood

Nuveen Climate Fund Invests $20 Million in e-waste Circularity Solutions Provider Onepak

Sora Fuel Raises $6 Million to Produce Low Cost SAF from Water, Air and Renewable Energy

Quinbrook Raises $3 Billion for Energy Transition Infrastructure Fund

Applied Carbon Raises $21.5 Million for Biochar Carbon Removal Technology

Climate Tech Investor Planet First Partners Leads $75 Million Capital Raise for Quantum Computing Startup Riverlane

Stanley Capital, Goldman Sachs Invest in Water Quality Solutions Provider SePRO

Sustainable Investing

JPMorgan’s Campbell Global Wins Mandate for New Evergreen Timberland Fund with Nest

M&G Invests $100 Million in responsAbility’s Asia Climate Strategy

Exec Moves

PwC Appoints Ellen Walsh as Sustainability Executive Sponsor

GIB Asset Management Appoints Victoria Barron as Chief Sustainability Officer