Today’s ESG Updates
- US Supreme Court Refuses Climate Change Lawsuit: The groundbreaking lawsuit launched over ten years ago has not been reinstated
- Researchers Discover Recycled Cement Cuts Emissions Without Strength Loss: Princeton and BRazilian researchers collaborate in this new discovery.
- EU Platform on Sustainable Finance Announced New Report: The EU Commission mandated expert group proposes a new “SME sustainable finance standard”.
- JLL Acquires Bank Javelin Capital: Acquisition of renewable energy focused investment banking firm.
The US Supreme Court refused to reinstate an extensive climate change lawsuit led by American youth
The appeals court argued that the young contingent lacked legal “standing” to sue as they hadn’t specified the type of injury that the judicial system could address. The lawsuit was initially filed ten years ago by 21 teenagers who claimed that government policies had worsened global warming which in turn violated their constitutional rights. A federal trial judge in Oregon said in 2023 that the case could proceed to trial but the US Circuit Court of Appeals ordered the suit’s dismissal. 43 Democratic members of Congress joined the young people in urging the Supreme Court to review the lawsuit and reinstate it. Individuals and companies aiming to stay in line with ESG standards can look to ESG solutions .
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Further reading: Supreme Court Refuses to Revive Youths’ Climate-Change Lawsuit
Researchers develop new way to reduce concrete waste
Researchers from Princeton University and the University of São Paulo have developed a new method to reduce waste from demolished buildings, creating a low-carbon alternative to cement. Their process gives construction materials a second lease of life without crucially reducing their strength. Their analysis claims that this method will significantly reduce carbon emissions which account for around 8% of global emissions. Part of the significance of this discovery according to researchers is that it can reduce landfill waste and repurpose demolished concrete.
Photo Credit: Marek Studzinski
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Further reading: Recycled Cement Cuts Emissions Without Strength Loss, Says Study
EU Platform on Sustainable Finance announces “SME sustainable finance standard” 
The European Commission mandated expert group, The Platform on Sustainable Finance (PSF), has announced the publication of a new report where it proposed a new “SME sustainable finance standard”. This standard is aimed at helping small and medium sized businesses to access external financing to enable their shift to sustainable initiatives. According to the PSF, the new report comes as SMEs play a crucial role in the EU’s sustainability transition. SMEs in the EU contribute more than half of the EU’s GDP and account for more than 63% of enterprise CO2. The new standard presents an easier system for SMEs to access sustainable financing. The standard would also make it easier for banks and financial institutions to classify loans for SMEs as sustainable. For SMEs or larger companies looking to adhere to ESG standards, see ESG solutions .
Photo Credit: Guillaume Pêrigois
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Further Reading: EU delays 2040 climate target proposal beyond Q1
JLL acquires renewable energy focused investment bank Javelin Capital
The real estate and investment management focused services provider JLL acquired the renewable energy focused investment banking firm Javelin Capital. JLL aims to expand its American energy and infrastructure markets capabilities as there has been significant growth in the clean energy sector. Initially founded in 2017, Javelin Capital is a boutique investment firm focused on companies in the renewable energy sector. JLL has expressed their excitement at this acquisition as they will enable the company to serve as a launching pad for this investment bank to further its global capabilities.
Photo Credit: Andreas Gücklhorn
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Further reading: JLL Acquires Clean Energy-Focused Investment Bank Javelin Capital
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by the authors are their own, not those of impakter.com — Cover Photo Credit: Brad Weaver
