Today’s ESG Updates
-
- Corporate Promises are Lacking Credibility: New research finds only 2% of firms are actively shifting capital from high-carbon assets.
- Chinese Gold Mining Fuels Crisis in DRC: Report says illegal operations are ravaging rivers, forests, and communities with toxic pollution.
- Airlines Announce $150M Fund for Sustainable Fuels: Backed by Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy, the fund aims to scale cleaner jet fuels.
- Trump’s Push to End Quarterly Reports Draws ESG Backing: Some investors say fewer updates could curb short-termism and strengthen climate strategy.
Study finds corporations are lacking credibility in their climate pledges
A new report from the London School of Economics warns that an overwhelming majority of corporate climate transition plans lack credibility, with companies continuing to defer meaningful emissions reductions. The study analyzed disclosures from 2,000 publicly traded firms worth $87 trillion and found that only 2% had shifted capital away from high-carbon assets. Moreover, 22% failed basic climate tests, like emissions reporting. While a whopping 95% of companies acknowledge climate change, only 10% demonstrate actual integration into business operations. The report also highlights a growing gap between policy commitments and implementation, with many firms relying on unproven technologies or excluding scope 3 emissions, which are absolutely critical in measuring the carbon impact of a company’s supply chains.
***
Further reading: Most Corporate Climate Transition Plans Aren’t Credible, Study Finds
New report uncovers environmental destruction from Chinese gold mines in DRC
A new report from peace group PAX accuses Chinese miners of illegally extracting gold in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), devastating both the natural environment and communities. Backed by Congolese cooperatives and local governments, semi-industrial operations have scarred over 155 miles of waterways, destroyed farmland, and polluted ecosystems with mercury and cyanide. Industrial mining has been damaging the environment in the DRC since the rise in global demand for critical minerals, and this report reveals that existing protections are proving ineffective. Congolese communities are facing health crises, water shortages, and displacement, with devastating reports of children drowning in abandoned mining pits. Researchers warn that the operations are greatly worsening poverty and violence in the region. China, a top gold consumer, denies sanctioning illegal activity by its nationals.
***
Further reading: Chinese Miners Accused of Gold Pillage, Environmental Destruction in DRC
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.
Airlines invest in $150M sustainable aviation fuel fund
Alaska and American Airlines have invested in a $150 million fund managed by Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Ventures, aiming to accelerate next-generation sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Also supported by oneworld alliance members, including IAG, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, and Singapore Airlines, the fund seeks to scale alternatives to fossil jet fuel and slowly cut aviation’s 3% share of global emissions. Current SAF supply represents less than 1% of jet fuel production, and costs remain high. Breakthrough Energy is targeting innovative fuels such as engineered algae and hydrogen-based options to drive down costs and unlock large-scale commercial adoption. The biggest challenge lies in scaling production fast enough to meet demand while overcoming cost barriers that keep SAF uncompetitive with conventional jet fuel.
***
Further reading: Airlines Band Together to Create Bill Gates-Backed Sustainable Aviation Fuel Fund
Trump’s push to scrap quarterly reports gains surprising support from ESG investors
Trump’s call to replace quarterly earnings reports with semi-annual updates has drawn unexpected support from sustainability-focused investors. Advocates argue that quarterly reporting promotes short-termism and distracts management from long-term issues such as climate risks. Many European investors believe that reducing the frequency of reporting cycles could strengthen sustainability strategies without compromising transparency, provided that proper safeguards are in place. Critics, however, warn that the need for such safeguards is exactly why the U.S. may not see the same benefits as the EU, Britain, New Zealand, and Australia. U.S. disclosure rules lack equivalents for profit warnings and continuous updates, raising risks for both investors and sustainability.
***
Further reading: Trump’s call to end quarterly reports gets unlikely support from climate-conscious investors
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by the authors are their own, not those of impakter.com — Cover Photo Credit: UNclimatechange
