Today’s ESG Updates
- responsAbility Raises $460 Million for Asia-Focused Climate Technology Fund: The fund will be used to scale low-carbon technologies such as renewables, storage, e-mobility, efficiency, and circular economy.
- Global LNG Supply Set to Jump in 2026: Global LNG supply is expected to rise by up to 10% in 2026, adding at least 35 million tonnes of capacity.
- Maybank Launches “ROAR30” plan: Maybank targets higher profitability metrics and invests RM10 billion to support growth areas and technology adoption in Southeast Asia.
- SLR Acquires WAP Sustainability: The acquisition expands SLR’s access to high-growth product sustainability markets and software-enabled ESG data solutions.
responsAbility raises $460 million for Asia-focused climate fund
Swiss-based responsAbility Investments AG has raised $460 million at the fifth closing of its Asia Climate Strategy, bringing it closer to its $500 million target. responsAbility investments will invest in areas that support Asia’s energy transition, such as renewable energy, battery storage, e-mobility, energy efficiency, and the circular economy, as Asia currently accounts for more than 50% of global CO₂ emissions. Fund investors include Anthos Fund & Asset Management, Calvert Impact Capital, and the International Finance Corporation. Investors describe the fund as a vehicle where public and private capital can jointly pursue “targeted, ambitious solutions.” It aims to deliver both attractive risk-adjusted returns and measurable climate impact.
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Further reading: ResponsAbility raises $460 Million for Asia-focused climate tech fund
Global LNG supply set to jump in 2026
The global liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply is predicted to jump by up to 10% in 2026, requiring new capacity of at least 35 million tonnes to lift global output into the 460–484 million tonnes range.
This supply growth may push Asian spot LNG and European TTF prices down to about $9.50–$9.90 per mmBtu, from $12.45 and $14.20, respectively, in 2025. Analysts describe 2026 as “a transitional year for the LNG market.” They see the balance shifting “away from tightness toward ample availability.”
Estimates from S&P Global Energy, Kpler and Rystad Energy project Europe’s LNG imports rising by 20–22 million tonnes and Asia’s demand recovering by 4–7%. China and India will lead this recovery as lower prices trigger extra spot buying, fuel switching, and stockpiling.
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Further reading: Global LNG supply set to jump in 2026, limiting prices and supporting demand
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Maybank launches “ROAR30” plan
Malaysia’s Maybank has launched its new ROAR30 plan to 2030 to succeed its previous M25+ plan. ROAR30 aims to lift return on equity (ROE) to 13–14%. The plan also focuses on keeping costs tight and growing low-cost deposits, whilst resting on three main areas: purpose, growth, and stronger foundations.
Under ROAR30, Maybank maintains its focus on “Humanising Financial Services,” targeting to mobilise RM300 billion ($74 billion) in sustainable finance by 2030 and a net-zero ambition by 2050. It also plans to mobilise RM100 billion ($25 billion) in support for SMEs and RM100 billion for “new economy” sectors. Furthermore, Maybank will expand its services, including Islamic banking, wealth management, payment systems, and business loans. To do this, Maybank will spend RM10 billion ($2.5 billion) on advanced technology, data tools, artificial intelligence, and employee training.
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Further reading: Maybank launches ROAR30; targets ROE of 13-14% by 2030
SLR acquires WAP Sustainability
SLR International Corporation has acquired Nashville-based sustainability consulting and advisory service company WAP Sustainability. Since its founding by William Paddock and Brad McAllister in 2009, WAP Sustainability has grown to nearly 100 employees. It is one of the leading firms in life cycle assessment, environmental product declarations, carbon accounting, and ESG advisory services.
The acquisition gives SLR access to high-growth product sustainability markets across building products, packaging, textiles, electronics, and consumer goods, along with a blue-chip client base and scalable, software-supported ESG data solutions aligned with global sustainability megatrends.
SLR Executive Director Ben Shields highlighted the shared vision to “drive meaningful and impactful change” and deliver “innovative, data-driven solutions.” At the same time, WAP’s CEO William Paddock emphasised that joining SLR preserves WAP’s relationship-driven mission to “Accelerate Sustainability Through Relationships” and unlocks larger, more complex, global projects backed by deeper resources and broader teams.
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Further reading: SLR acquires WAP Sustainability
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by the authors are their own, not those of impakter.com — Cover Photo Credit:Wikimedia Commons
