Today’s ESG Updates:
- Microsoft Finalises Deal with Carbon Removal Company CO280: The project is set to remove 3.7M tonnes of CO2 from U.S. pulp and paper mill industries.
- Clorox Australia Ordered to Pay $5.2M Over False Recycled Plastic Claims: The garbage bag giant is to be fined by Australia’s competition regulator.
- China Will Continue to Build Coal Plants Through 2027: A new government released action plan outlines a clear future for coal in China with certain restrictions in place.
- Kodak Publishes Sustainability Report: The global photography company publishes a sustainability report titled ‘One World, One Kodak’.
Microsoft finalises deal set to remove 3.7M tonnes of CO2 from U.S. pulp and paper mill
Microsoft and CO280, a carbon dioxide removal project developer announced a huge purchase dea which is set to remove nearly 3.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide spanning over twelve years. The project will capture and permanently hold biogenic carbon emissions from an American pulp and paper mill on the Gulf Coast. Pulp and paper mills are huge contributors to industrial greenhouse gas emissions where American mills emit 88 million tonnes of biogenic CO2 every year. This agreement follows a long string of carbon removal deals for Microsoft as they aim to fulfill their carbon negative goal for 2030. For businesses looking to navigate ESG guidelines and achieve carbon net zero goals, see ESG solutions.
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Further reading: Microsoft Signs Deal to Remove 3.7 Million Tons of CO2 from U.S. Pulp and Paper Mill
Clorox Australia ordered to pay $5.2M over false recycled plastic claims
Clorox Australia, a US based cleaning products company has been fined A$8.25M by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commissions (ACCC) following false claims on its “GLAD” kitchen and garbage bags. Clorox claimed that these products were made of at least 50% recycled oceanic plastic waste but in fact over 2.2 million of these bags comprised approximately 50% plastic waste gathered from Indonesian communities. The plastic waste was gathered without formal waste management systems and up to 50 kilometres from any shoreline. The court stated that the greenwashing aspect of these claims were crucial in assessing the violating conduct. Since the ACCC investigation was initiated in July 2023, “GLAD” products have been halted.
Photo Credit: engin akyurt
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Further reading: Clorox Australia fined $5.2 million over false claims of using recycled plastic
China will continue to build coal plants through 2027
China will continue to construct new coal power plants through at least 2027. Despite the environmentally negative announcement, the newly released action plan claims that there will be restrictions aimed at limiting emissions and boosting renewable energy systems. The plan outlines that new plants should burn coal more efficiently than existing ones and quill require that new power stations run less than 20% of the time. Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for a deceleration in coal consumption starting in 2026. Despite a recent spike in the construction of coal generators, there were fewer new plants permitted than the year before. Also, the average plant is also burning less coal. Over the years, there has not necessarily been a gradual shift to renewables in China but a clear decline in coal and non-renewable expenditure.
Photo Credit: Dominik Vanyi
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Further Reading: China Allows New Coal Plants Through 2027 to Fill Renewable Gap
Kodak publishes sustainability report
Kodak, one of the world’s oldest and most influential photography companies has published its newest sustainability report titled “One World, One Kodak” which outlines its most recent sustainability efforts. In the report, Kodak perpetuates how sustainability is an invaluable part of their ethos and business operations. Kodak has already fulfilled some of its 2025 environmental goals and has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 56% and water consumption by 31%. The photography company also noted its integration of innovative technologies which are helping other companies follow in their footsteps in going green. The report was published in accordance with Global Reporting Standards (GRI). For companies wishing to accelerate their shift to sustainable practices, see ESG solutions for advice and tools.
Photo Credit: Georgi Kyurpanov
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Further reading: Photography Company Kodak Publishes Sustainability Report
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by the authors are their own, not those of impakter.com — Cover Photo Credit: Matthew Manuel
