Proxima Fusion Raises €130M to Launch First Stellarator Fusion Plant

Today’s ESG Updates

• Proxima Fusion Secures €130M for Fusion: Startup advances plans for the first stellarator-based fusion power plant to launch by 2031.
• World Bank to End Ban on Nuclear Energy Projects: The institution expands funding for nuclear power to help countries meet climate goals.
• Trump Claims Rare Earths Deal Settled with China: Experts warn that the potential deal offers little certainty in stability for critical mineral supply chains.
• Nescafe Surpasses Regenerative Goals: The coffee giant sourced 32% of its beans from farmers using regenerative agriculture in 2024.

Proxima Fusion raises €130M to launch stellarator fusion plant

Proxima Fusion has raised €130 million to build Europe’s first stellarator-based fusion power plant, aiming for net energy gain by 2031. This marks a significant step in shifting fusion from laboratory science to industrial deployment in Europe. The stellarator design is known for its ability to produce stable, continuous power, supporting the continent’s growing momentum to lead in fusion energy. The company plans to complete its Stellarator Model Coil by 2027 and launch Alpha, the demonstration plant, by 2031. The project highlights fusion’s rising strategic value for energy sovereignty, carbon neutrality, and industrial innovation amid growing geopolitical and climate pressures.

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Further reading: Proxima Fusion raises €130M Series A to build world’s first stellarator-based fusion power plant in the 2030s

World Bank lifts nuclear ban to meet growing global energy demand

The World Bank has lifted its 2013 ban on funding nuclear energy projects in developing nations, citing the urgent need to meet rising electricity demand, which is expected to more than double by 2035. President Ajay Banga said the decision reflects a broader “all of the above” energy strategy that includes renewables, natural gas, and now nuclear. The Bank says that it will collaborate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to ensure safety and regulatory support. The U.S., as the World Bank’s largest shareholder with 15.83%, likely supports the bank’s decision, given Trump’s push for nuclear energy projects and his withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement.

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Further reading: World Bank to end ban on nuclear energy projects, still debating upstream gas

U.S. and China reach tentative agreement on critical minerals deal

President Donald Trump announced a tentative deal with China that includes renewed access for U.S. companies to Chinese rare earth metals. The ongoing trade war has greatly limited U.S. access to minerals from China, which are critical in clean energy, electric vehicles, and advanced technologies. While final approval from President Xi Jinping is pending, officials say the framework revives stalled trade talks and resets the May truce between the two countries. Still, market watchers note the limited scope of the deal, warning it offers little certainty for long-term stability in critical mineral supply chains. In return, the agreement includes a rollback of proposed U.S. visa restrictions on Chinese students.

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Further Reading: Trump says rare earths deal ‘done’ with China

Nescafé surpasses ESG goals by scaling regenerative farming

Nescafé has surpassed its 2025 goal for regenerative agriculture, sourcing 32% of its coffee from farmers using sustainable practices in 2024, well above its 20% target. The achievement was released yesterday in the company’s Plan 2030 Progress Report. Nescafé’s Plan 2030 aims to improve farmer livelihoods and climate resilience amidst climate change driving up coffee prices and stressing yields. Practices like composting, mulching, and optimized fertilization have already helped participating farms cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to 40%. Nestlé has distributed 21 million plantlets and trained over 200,000 farmers to build more productive and sustainable coffee systems worldwide.

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Further reading: Nescafé surpasses 2025 regenerative agriculture goal

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