Today’s ESG Updates
- U.S.-Led Gas Boom Threatens Climate: Global Energy Monitor reports 2026 could see record new gas plants, many powering AI datacenters, potentially producing 53.2 billion tonnes of CO₂ worldwide.
- Lukoil Plans to Sell Foreign Assets: Russia’s second-largest oil producer reaches an initial agreement with Carlyle for most overseas holdings amid U.S. sanctions, excluding Kazakhstan, pending approvals.
- England & Wales Water Bills to Rise: Households face a 5.4% increase from April 2026, adding about £33 annually, as companies fund infrastructure and pipe upgrades.
- $1 Billion African Carbon Projects Launched: Trafigura-backed Miombo Alliance will restore 675,000 hectares across four countries, removing 50 million tons of CO₂ and benefiting 100,000 local community members.
U.S.-led gas power boom risks massive CO₂ emissions
According to a report by Global Energy Monitor (GEM), 2026 is on track to set a yearly record for the addition of new gas-fired power plants worldwide. The U.S. is in the lead, having tripled its planned gas power capacity by 2025. Many of the new gas plants are intended to supply electricity to energy-hungry AI datacenters. Around 252 gigawatts of gas power are under development globally, and roughly one-third of that is planned for datacentres.
If all the new U.S. gas plants are built and run over their lifetimes, they would produce about 12.1 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide – twice as much as the total yearly emissions currently produced in the U.S. from all sources. Worldwide, the planned gas boom could create about 53.2 billion tonnes of CO₂ over the lifetime of the projects, worsening global heating and climate impacts.
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Further reading: US leads record global surge in gas-fired power driven by AI demands, with big costs for the climate
Lukoil moves to sell foreign holdings, Kazakhstan assets excluded
Russia’s second-largest oil producer, Lukoil, agreed to an initial deal to sell most of its foreign assets to U.S. private equity firm the Carlyle Group. The assets are valued at about $22 billion according to analysts. The sale involves LUKOIL International GmbH, which oversees the company’s foreign business. However, the assets in Kazakhstan are not part of the sale and will remain with Lukoil. The agreement still requires regulatory approval, including from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). The deal is not exclusive, and Lukoil says it continues negotiations with other potential buyers. The planned sale comes amid U.S. sanctions that have increased pressure on Russian oil companies.
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Further reading: US Carlyle Group agrees to buy Lukoil’s global assets after sanctions pressure
Klimado – Navigating climate complexity just got easier. Klimado offers a user-friendly platform for tracking local and global environmental shifts, making it an essential tool for climate-aware individuals and organizations.
Households to pay more as water bills increase across England and Wales
Water bills in England and Wales will rise by an average of 5.4% from 1 April 2026. This means the average household will pay £33 more per year. After the increase, the average annual water bill will be about £639. Southern Water customers will face the highest average bill at £759. Customers of United Utilities in north-west England will see the biggest increase in their average annual bills – £57. Thames Water’s increase is small (£3) because much of its rise was applied last year. The rises come as water companies plan record levels of spending on maintenance and upgrades to leaking pipes, sewage works, and other infrastructure.
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Further reading: Households in England and Wales must splash out more as water bills to rise by 5.4%
Trafigura-backed alliance to invest $1 billion in African carbon removal projects
The Trafigura-backed Miombo Alliance will invest over $1 billion in four big carbon removal projects in Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, and Malawi. The projects would restore 675,000 hectares of woodlands, removing more than 50 million tons of CO₂. The effort is a partnership between Trafigura, African governments, and non-profit groups, aiming to help both the environment and local communities. About 100,000 people, including farmers, will take part and share in the profits, receiving 10–60% of the income generated by the projects. The projects include a restoration plan in Malawi with one of Africa’s largest native species nurseries and an agroforestry scheme in Zambia that will benefit 45,000 farmers, while generating high-quality carbon credits that can be sold to support climate targets.
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Further reading: Trafigura-backed alliance to invest $1 bln-plus in four African carbon projects
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by the authors are their own, not those of impakter.com — Cover Photo Credit: Igor Omilaev
