Today’s ESG Updates
- EU Invites Public to Shape Climate Policy: The European Commission launched a consultation to gather public input on its new climate-resilience framework.
- E.ON Pushes to Reorder Grid Priorities: E.ON’s CEO urges Germany to prioritize consumers and job-creating industries over new wind and solar connections.
- EIB Backs Polish Offshore Wind Expansion: The European Investment Bank commits €600 million to the 390 MW BC-Wind project.
- Taiwan Moves Toward Nuclear Restarts: Taiwan approves feasibility assessments for the restart of the Kuosheng and Maanshan nuclear plants.
European Commission invites public to help shape future climate policies
The European Commission has launched its “Have Your Say” initiative. The initiative encourages European citizens, stakeholders, and businesses across the bloc to contribute to the bloc’s climate resilience plan. As climate change has drastically impacted infrastructure, the economy, and citizens’ health and livelihoods, the Commission urges action. The new EU framework on climate resilience hoped to mitigate climate risks and make Europe “stronger, safer, and ready for the challenges of a changing climate.” It follows the Commission’s Communication on Managing Climate Risks in Europe, which outlined the need for a strong and coordinated approach to climate action. The consultation will allow the public to share ideas on climate action and provide feedback on current legislation. The last day to provide feedback through the online portal is 23 February 2026.
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Further reading: Have your say: Shape Europe’s future in a world affected by climate change
E.ON CEO calls for deprioritization of wind and solar
In an interview with German newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung, the CEO of E.ON, one of Europe’s largest utility providers, spoke about the future of the grid. According to Leonhard Birnbaum, Germany should shift its grid-connection priorities toward consumers and job-creating businesses rather than automatically favoring new wind and solar projects. Birnbaum argued that renewable energy sources have already become dominant in Germany’s power mix, supplying more than 60% of the nation’s electricity. Because of this, he said, expanding capacity through heavy subsidies no longer delivers meaningful benefits and can instead increase overall system costs. Birnbaum urged policymakers to eliminate unnecessary incentives, saying the focus should now be on supporting sectors that drive employment.
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Further reading: E.ON chief urges Germany to deprioritize wind and solar for grid connections
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EIB commits €600 million to offshore wind projects in Poland
The European Investment Bank (EIB) will finance a new offshore wind farm in the Baltic Sea. With a €600 million investment, the EIB is the largest lender for Ocean Winds’ BC-Wind project. The offshore wind farm will have a capacity of 390 megawatts (MW), powering almost 500,000 households and businesses across Poland. Located over 20 kilometers off Poland’s western coast, the wind farm is expected to begin operating in 2028. Consisting of 26 turbines of up to 15 MW each, BC-Wind represents the EIB’s third major offshore wind investment in Poland and aligns with EU initiatives such as InvestEU and RePowerEU. The project is part of Poland’s rapidly expanding offshore wind sector, supported by EIB commitments totaling €1.7 billion this year. Companies committed to clean, renewable energy investments can look to ESG solutions for guidance.
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Further reading: Poland: With €600 million loan, EIB is the main financier behind new offshore wind farm
Taiwan to restart nuclear program
Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs has approved an assessment by Taiwan Power Co (Taipower) on the feasibility of restarting two nuclear plants. The Kuosheng plant in New Taipei and the Maanshan plant in Pingtung shut down as part of the country’s shift away from nuclear energy under a 2016 “nuclear-free” policy. Now, Taipower must prepare reoperation plans for the two plants and submit them to the Nuclear Safety Commission by March 2026. Both facilities will undergo extensive inspections on seismic resilience, equipment condition, workforce, and fuel storage. Maanshan will require a longer review because used fuel must be removed once the delayed dry-storage facilities become operational.
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Further reading: Taiwan clears path to restart reactors
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by the authors are their own, not those of impakter.com — In the Cover Photo: European Union Flags in front of EC building in Brussels. Cover Photo Credit: Alexander Van Steenberge
