Trump Restarts $5Bn, 810 MW Empire Wind Project

Today’s ESG Updates

• Trump Revives $5Bn Empire Wind: U-turn on stop-work order lets Equinor resume its 810 MW New York offshore-wind build, safeguarding thousands of U.S. clean-energy jobs.
• Asia Stocks Steady as U.S. Yields Cool: Moody’s downgrade jitters fade; 30-year Treasuries slip to 4.91 %. China rate cuts and Pfizer-boosted healthcare rally lift regional ESG sentiment.
• Japan Targets 2 Mt CO₂ Blue-Carbon Capture: New study will sink kelp and mangroves to deep-sea stores, scaling annual removal from 34 t (2023) to 1 Mt by 2035 and 2 Mt by 2045.
• RBA Cuts Rate to 3.85 % Amid Trade Risks: Australia eases policy as inflation returns to target; warns tariffs could slow growth. Lower funding costs may accelerate corporate net-zero investment.

Trump lifts stop-work order, reviving Equinor’s $5Bn empire wind project

The Trump administration has reversed a month-old stop-work order on Equinor’s $5 billion Empire Wind project off New York, allowing construction to resume. Equinor CEO Anders Opedal thanked President Trump, Norwegian leaders, and Governor Kathy Hochul for saving thousands of jobs and safeguarding U.S. energy investment. The 810-MW facility, 30 % complete and using Vestas turbines, now targets offshore installation in 2025 and full operation in 2027. The decision boosts America’s offshore-wind sector and three projects underway, ESG solutions are essential for industries on both sides of the English Channel.

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Further reading: Trump administration allows $5 billion New York offshore wind farm to resume construction

Asian stocks firm as 30-Year U.S. yield eases to 4.91% post-Moody’s downgrade

Asian shares climbed Tuesday while U.S. Treasury yields steadied as investors assessed America’s $36 trillion debt and scant progress on trade deals. Moody’s downgrade of U.S. sovereign credit caused only fleeting turmoil; 30-year yields eased to 4.91% from an 18-month peak. The Australian dollar dropped 0.5% after the RBA cut rates, citing global headwinds. MSCI’s Asia-Pacific index gained 0.3%, China’s CSI300 jumped 0.6% after lending-rate cuts, and Hong Kong rose 1.3% on Pfizer-linked healthcare strength, optimism.

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Further reading: Asian stocks inch higher, Aussie dips as RBA cuts rates

Japan launches blue-carbon plan: marine plants to capture 2 Mt CO₂ by 2045

Japan will launch a “blue-carbon” study of kelp, mangroves and marine plants that absorb CO₂ dissolved in seawater and store it on the deep-sea floor. Blue carbon captured by ocean ecosystems can sequester more than terrestrial “green carbon” forests, whose capacity is waning as trees age. Researchers, agencies and companies will test sinking seaweed and assess ecological risks. Japan aims to raise annual capture from 34 tonnes in 2023 to 1 million tonnes by 2035 and 2 million tonnes by 2045. 

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Further Reading: Blue Carbon: Japan to Store CO₂ in Deep Sea with Marine Plants

RBA cuts benchmark rate to 3.85% amid global headwinds

Australia’s Reserve Bank cut its cash rate 25 bp to a two-year low of 3.85%, citing weaker global prospects and slowing domestic inflation, but warned it remains cautious on further easing. The Australian dollar slipped 0.4% to US$0.6430 and three-year bond futures rallied. Headline CPI stayed at 2.4% and core inflation eased to 2.9%, back within the 2-3% target band. Markets price another 57 bp of cuts this year amid Trump-driven trade tensions and softer consumer spending. ESG tools can help businesses stay on track to reach net-zero emissions goals.  

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Further reading: Australia’s central bank cuts rates to 2-year low of 3.85%

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