Today’s ESG Updates
- Climate Pledges Fall Short: UNEP warns the world is still heading toward ~2.8°C this century unless cuts accelerate fast ahead of COP30 in Belém.
- Apple Inks 15-year Italy PPA: Engie to build 173 MW from wind and agrivoltaics, 400+ GWh/year; Apple takes 80%.
- US AGs To Big Tech: Don’t follow EU CSRD/CSDDD or risk US lawsuits.
- UK Farmdex: One-third of British farmers made no profit as subsidy shift and tax plans squeeze margins.
UNEP Says A 1.5°C Overshoot Is Likely Within The Next Decade
With COP30 opening in Belém next week, UNEP’s 2025 Emissions Gap Report delivers a blunt verdict: on current policies the world could see about 2.8°C of warming this century. Even if 2035 pledges are fully delivered, the outlook improves only to 2.3-2.5°C. Just 60 Paris Agreement Parties, covering ~63% of global emissions, have filed 2035 targets. A 1.5°C overshoot is now likely within the next decade, the report warns. Among the six biggest emitters, only the EU deceased emissions in 2024 (-2.1%). Under current G20 policies, carbon emissions in 2035 could fall by about 2 gigatonnes, led by China and the EU. UN chief António Guterres urges governments to triple renewables and double energy efficiency by 2030, build modern grids and storage, and end new coal, oil, and gas expansion.
***
Further reading: World heading for 2.8°C warming as UN report reveals climate pledges are ‘barely moving the needle’
Apple Signs 15-Year Clean Power Deal in Italy with Engie
Apple has signed a 15-year power purchase agreement with Engie to catalyze new solar and wind capacity in southern Italy. The deal will fund 173 MW across two wind farms, one repowering project, and two agrivoltaic plants, due online in 2026-2027. The portfolio is expected to generate more than 400 GWh per year; Apple will receive 80% of the output, with the remaining 20% feeding Italy’s grid. Engie says the clean electricity could supply roughly 30,000 households and avoid over 160,000 tons of CO2 annually – comparable to taking nearly 70,000 cars off the road. Engie executive Edouard Neviaski called the agreement proof of the utility’s transition strategy. The announcement follows several recent Apple clean-energy deals in Europe totaling 650 MW, part of efforts to match the electricity used by its customers.
***
Further reading: Apple Signs 15-Year Renewable Energy Deal in Italy with Engie
Klimado – Navigating climate complexity just got easier. Klimado offers a user-friendly platform for tracking local and global environmental shifts, making it an essential tool for climate-aware individuals and organizations.
16-State Coalition Warns Microsoft, Google, Meta Against EU Sustainability Laws
Sixteen US State Attorneys General, led by Florida AG James Uthmeier, have warned Microsoft, Google, and Meta not to comply with the EU’s new sustainability rules – the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). In letters to CEOs, the AGs argue that compliance would be unlawful in the US, exposing firms to consumer protection suits, antitrust issues, and “government enforcement actions.” The move is the latest Republican pushback on ESG and follows an August US-EU framework in which Brussels pledged to ease burdens, while the Trump administration threatened EU states over CSDDD. The AGs also criticize company DEI programs, urging rejection of “EU ESG mandates” and asking for details on steps taken. Signatories span 16 states, including Florida, Texas, Ohio, Georgia, and South Carolina.
***
Further reading: Multi-State Coalition Warns Microsoft, Google, Meta Against Complying with EU’s CSRD, CSDDD Sustainability Laws
One-Third of British Farmers Made No Profit as Subsidy Shift Bites
A third of British farmers made no profit last year as post-Brexit subsidy cuts, a £100m budget reduction, and looming farm inheritance tax bite, McCain’s new Farmdex finds. Only 14% reported margins of 10%+, and even among £2.5m-plus holdings, 28% broke even or lost money. In England, automatic EU-style payments were replaced by the environmental land management scheme (Elm), which farmers say pays less. The scheme faced delays and a March pause, while upland farms lost an average 37% of support under the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and Countryside Stewardship (CS). Climate shocks – floods and droughts – deepened the squeeze. 51% considered leaving the sector, just 4% view current support as adequate, and 61% say farming harms their mental health. Over a third of farmers work 70+ hours in peak season. McCain’s James Young urged government and industry to act. Defra said it is backing farmers with a record nature-friendly budget to grow businesses and food security.
***
Further reading: Third of British farmers made no profit in past year, report finds
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by the authors are their own, not those of impakter.com — Cover Photo Credit: Chris LeBoutillier
