Today’s ESG Updates
- EU Leaders Meet on Competitiveness: European Union leaders gathered at an informal summit in Belgium to strengthen economic growth, boost the single market, and advance the EU’s simplification agenda.
- Trump Repeals EPA Endangerment Finding: President Trump repealed the EPA’s 2009 scientific determination on greenhouse gases, removing 17 years of emissions limits.
- Trump Orders Pentagon to Purchase Coal Electricity: President Trump signed an executive order directing the Department of Defense to buy coal-generated electricity.
- Deutsche Bank Issues €500 Million Green Bond: Deutsche Bank placed its first European Green Bond, raising €500 million with a 2.875% coupon to support the green transition.
Leaders meet for session on EU competitiveness
On Thursday, leaders of the European Union met at Alden Biesen, a castle in Belgium, for an informal summit. The aim of the summit was to strengthen the EU’s independence and competitiveness. António Costa, President of the European Council, said, “We have a clear priority – to strengthen economic growth in Europe. This is essential for our prosperity, to create quality jobs, and to sustain our economic social model.”
The summit focused on building a stronger EU single market, protecting strategic industries, and boosting private investment in the bloc. President Costa also announced that the leaders unanimously agreed to move forward with the EU’s simplification agenda for businesses. Leaders unanimously agreed that Europe is open for trade as well. Regarding energy prices, President Costa stated that the “energy transition remains the best long-term strategy.”
A follow-up meeting will be held in March to discuss the bloc’s “one Europe, one market” roadmap and energy strategy.
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Further reading: Informal EU leaders’ retreat, 12 February 2026
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Trump erases Obama-era endangerment finding
On Thursday, President Trump announced the official repeal of the endangerment finding. The Environmental Protection Agency’s 2009 scientific determination required federal legal intervention after concluding that greenhouse gases were detrimental to public health. Calling the finding a “radical rule” that became “the basis for the Green New Scam,” Trump will now remove limits on emissions from coal, gas, and oil that have been in place for 17 years. According to the Environmental Defense Fund, an environmental advocacy non-profit, the U.S. could add up to 18 billion metric tons of emissions to the atmosphere by 2055 if it repeals this finding. This could lead to increased asthma attacks and as many as 58,000 premature deaths.
Democratic senators Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island and Chuck Schumer of New York said in a joint statement, “This shameful abdication — an economic, moral, and political failure — will harm Americans’ health, homes, and economic well-being. It ignores scientific fact and common-sense observations, to serve big political donors.” Environmental activists and Democratic leaders are set to challenge the repeal in high-profile legal proceedings that should reach the Supreme Court.
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Further reading: Trump Administration Erases the Government’s Power to Fight Climate Change
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Trump signs executive order to boost coal use
Prior to the move to repeal the EPA’s endangerment finding, Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday ordering the U.S. Pentagon to buy coal-generated electricity. At a Champion of Coal event, he directed the United States Department of Defence to purchase more coal through long-term agreements with coal-fired plants. He claimed that the move would lead to “preservation and strategic utilisation” of “coal-based energy assets.” He also announced that the U.S. Department of Energy would invest $175 million in upgrading six coal plants in Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky, and Ohio. This move is central to Trump’s efforts to increase fossil fuel use in the United States, believing it will increase domestic production and therefore competitiveness.
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Further reading: Trump orders Pentagon to buy electricity generated by coal
Deutsche Bank issues €500 million European Green Bond
Deutsche Bank placed its first European Green Bond (EuGB) after raising €500 million in capital. The bond carries a coupon rate of 2.875% and will be callable after three years, with a tenor of four years. The issuance of the bond follows the institution’s update to its Sustainable Instruments Framework and aligns with the new European Green Bond Standard. Richard Stewart, the Deutsche Bank Group Treasurer, said, “The issuance of our first European Green Bond is a clear demonstration of our commitment to the highest standards of sustainable finance. By aligning with the European Green Bond Standard, we are providing investors with a transparent, high-quality investment opportunity that directly supports the green transition in the real estate sector and underscores our role in financing the transition to a net-zero economy.”
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Further reading: Deutsche Bank successfully issues European Green Bond
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by the authors are their own, not those of impakter.com — In the Cover Photo: EU Leaders outside of Alden Biesen in Belgium. Cover Photo Credit: European Union
