Chile’s Underwater Forests Face Growing Threats

Today’s ESG Updates

• Chile’s Kelp Forests at Risk: Experts recommend stronger policies to protect the underwater ecosystem.
• EU Lawmakers Push Back on Greenwashing Rules: Members of the EPP say the proposed eco-label law is too bureaucratic and may hurt small businesses.
• Swiss Central Bank Backs Stricter Rules Amid Economic Worries: With global uncertainty rising, SNB now supports tougher capital requirements.
• Nvidia Backs Bill Gates’ Nuclear Power Venture: The chipmaker is investing in TerraPower as part of a $650 million push to develop cleaner reactors.

Chile’s underwater forests threatened by mining and warming seas

Chile’s underwater kelp forests along the northern coast are increasingly under threat from warming oceans and industrial pollution—especially from mining waste and desalination linked to copper and lithium extraction. Kelp is globally disappearing faster than coral reefs or rainforests. Marine biologists like Alejandra Gonzalez, along with local harvesters, warn that without stronger protections and targeted policies, the environmental and economic consequences could be severe. Companies can stay updated on the latest developments with ESG solutions.

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Further reading: Chile’s vital underwater forests face threats from mining, warming seas

EPP urges EU to drop anti‑greenwashing bill

Members of the European People’s Party (EPP) are calling on the European Commission to drop its proposed anti-greenwashing law, saying it puts too much red tape on businesses. The Green Claims framework would require companies to back up eco-labels with detailed environmental data, especially using the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) method. However, critics claim this method can favor synthetic materials over natural ones, which will hurt farmers and small producers. The EPP argues the rules could slow innovation and add unnecessary bureaucracy, and they’re pushing for a more balanced approach as part of their broader push to simplify the EU’s Green Deal.

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Further reading: EPP Calls on EU Commission to Scrap Anti-Greenwashing Legislation

Swiss National Bank highlights uncertainty, backs Swiss capital reform

In its 2025 Financial Stability Report, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) warns of mounting economic uncertainty stemming from global trade and geopolitical tensions, alongside risks tied to high sovereign debt and overvalued assets. Despite a robust showing from the nation’s top bank, UBS, and the banking sector in 2024, the SNB endorses government‑backed measures requiring UBS to deduct foreign subsidiary participations. These reforms aim to fortify financial stability, ensuring loss-absorbing capacity in stress scenarios. Switzerland’s sole large bank remains vulnerable to shocks, underscoring the need for cautious regulation.

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Further Reading: Swiss National Bank flags economic uncertainty, supports Swiss capital proposals

Nvidia invests in TerraPower’s next‑gen nuclear ambitions

Nvidia’s venture arm, NVentures, has joined a $650 million funding round for Bill Gates–backed nuclear reactor developer TerraPower, raising its total investment to over $1.4 billion. The spin-off funding, supported by HD Hyundai and Gates himself, targets the development of a sodium-cooled small modular reactor to provide both power generation and molten salt energy storage. The move reflects tech industry interest in low-carbon, around-the-clock power for energy-intensive AI data centres. TerraPower’s first plant is being built in Wyoming, supported by DOE cost-sharing, with operational goals set for 2030.

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Further reading: Nvidia Backs $650 Million Capital Raise for Bill Gates’ Nuclear Tech Company TerraPower

Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by the authors are their own, not those of impakter.com — Cover Photo Credit: Martin Dawson