Today’s ESG Updates
- Mars Commits $13 Million to Farming Communities and Animal Welfare: The Mars Impact Fund is backing mint-farming families in India, cocoa communities in Côte d’Ivoire, and rabies elimination efforts in Thailand.
- Judge Blocks EPA Bid to Repeal California Emissions Waivers: A federal court ruled the EPA improperly tried to send California’s vehicle emissions authority to Congress for repeal.
- EU Court Upholds Bloc’s 2023–2030 Emissions Allocations: Europe’s General Court rejected an NGO challenge arguing the EU’s greenhouse gas targets fell short of Paris Agreement obligations.
- Belgium Reports Nearly 3,000 Heat-Related Deaths This Summer: The country recorded its deadliest heatwave period this summer, with excess mortality peaking in late June.
Mars Impact Fund commits $13 million to corporate philanthropy
Through its corporate philanthropy sector, Mars has announced $13 million in new grants to support sourcing communities, emerging scientists and animal wellbeing across Côte d’Ivoire, India, the U.S. and Thailand.
The funding builds on the fund’s 2025 launch, part of an $85 million commitment through 2027, with at least $50 million annually from 2028. In India, $5.6 million will help 20,000 mint-farming families diversify crops along with education and sanitation support. In the U.S., $3 million will back National 4-H Council programs which will set up the foundation for 200,000 young people to explore agriculture and veterinary careers.
Additional grants include $2.07 million for healthcare access in Côte d’Ivoire’s cocoa-farming communities and $3 million for rabies elimination efforts in Thailand. Mars Impact Fund executive Michelle Grogg said the investments aim to build long-term partnerships that improve farmers’ livelihoods and community health.
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Judge blocks EPA bid to repeal California emissions waiver rules via Congress
On September 2, a federal judge blocked the Environmental Protection Agency from sending California’s vehicle emissions waivers to Congress for potential repeal. This has set back the Trump administration’s push to strip the state’s regulatory authority over tailpipe emissions.
The EPA had argued for the waivers, which let California set its own emissions standards for cars, trucks, and lawn equipment. Under the Congressional Review Act, these were to be treated as “rules,” which allowed the Senate to repeal them by simple majority rather than 60 votes. California sued, arguing the waivers weren’t regulations and couldn’t legally be reclassified this way.
U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell sided with California, accusing the EPA of “Orwellian doublethink” and ordering it to restore the status quo. Andy Su, from the Environmental Defense Fund, called the ruling a win for the 40 million Californians relying on the state’s pollution safeguards. The EPA has not yet commented.
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EU court upholds bloc’s 2023-2030 emissions allocations against NGO
The European Union’s General Court has rejected a legal challenge from NGOs Global Legal Action Network and CAN Europe against the European Commission’s 2023-2030 greenhouse gas emissions allocations for member states.
The NGOs had sought an internal review, arguing the allocations relied on emissions-reduction targets that fell short of obligations under EU law and the Paris Agreement and were based on a flawed impact assessment.
Europe’s second-highest court sided with the Commission and upheld its decision to deny the requested review. The ruling leaves the bloc’s current emissions allocation framework intact through 2030. It further closes off this avenue for environmental groups seeking tighter climate targets across member states.
Belgium records nearly 3,000 heatwave deaths
As reported by the public health body Sciensano, Belgium recorded 2,935 excess deaths from heatwaves between June 18 and August 16. This figure represents a 22.6% excess in mortality rates.
The deadliest period was June 18 to July 3, when Belgium saw its highest heatwave mortality since Sciensano began tracking in 2000. This period recorded 2,035 excess deaths, or 48.8% above normal levels. This stretch featured 10 consecutive days near 30°C, along with three days when the temperatures reached 35°C.
Two later heatwaves, from July 4-17 and July 28-August 16, caused smaller spikes of 535 and 365 excess deaths, respectively. While people aged 65 and older accounted for most deaths, Sciensano noted that younger populations were also affected.
The findings come as the UN weather agency warns that extreme heat events are becoming more frequent, intense, and prolonged due to climate change.
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by the authors are their own, not those of impakter.com — Cover Photo Credit: Tomáš Malík ***
