Today’s ESG Updates
- Peruvian farmer challenges German energy giant RWE in court: Saul Luciano Lliuya argues that RWE, leading greenhouse gas emitter should be held accountable for their pollution.
- IndianOil Makes ₹2.5 Lakh Crore Investment In Green Transition: The leading Indian oil company makes green move following great 2023/24 profits.
- UK Greenhouse gas emissions fall to medieval levels: A 3.6% fall in greenhouse gas emissions brings levels down.
- IBM Is Scaling Up on Renewable Energy To Power Its Data Centres: Leading technology and software company continues its commitment to green energy by ramping up reliance on green energy for its data centres.
Peruvian farmer takes Germany’s huge greenhouse gas emitter RWE to court
Saul Luciano Lliuya, originally from Peru’s Ancash region is taking RWE to court arguing that as a leading greenhouse gas emitter, they should contribute to the protection of his hometown Huaraz. Huaraz is home to a glacial lake which is at risk of overflowing due to melting snow and ice. The case first started when Lliuya challenged RWE after a Carbon Majors report found that RWE is responsible for 0.5% of climate change since the 1850s. Lliuya has certainly faced setbacks with his first case being dismissed in 2015 by a court in Essen, but a higher court in Hamm in 2017 granted his appeal. Lliuya’s courage in challenging such a large corporation has made headlines, highlighting the need to hold major polluters accountable. For companies wishing to stay on track with ESG guidelines, see ESG Tools.
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Further reading: Peruvian farmer takes German energy giant RWE to court in fight to hold polluters accountable
IndianOil makes ₹2.5 lakh crore investment in green transition
IndianOil, one of India’s largest oil companies, is making a mammoth 2.5 trillion rupee investment in renewable energy, sustainable fuels and hydrogen energy. These shifts in the green direction align with their 2046 net zero emissions target. Given the company’s great results in the financial year 2023-2024, this investment will help India’s largest integrated and diversified energy company to invest green. India being the most populated country in the world, IndianOil’s investments set up a bright future with more electric vehicles and more sustainable methods.
Photo Credit: Jared Evans
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Further reading: IndianOil Invests ₹2.5 Lakh Crore in Green Energy Transition
UK greenhouse gas emissions fall to medieval levels
In 2024, the UK reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 3.6% which is a landmark moment in its environmental history. 2024 marked the year of the country’s lowest coal usage since the year 1666. Carbon Brief analysis revealed that these figures are important in many ways, especially in regards to the phasing out of coal. 2024 also saw a 40% increase in electric vehicle registrations signifying a decisive shift towards sustainable transportation. In 2024, the UK achieved its cleanest electricity generation on record with fossil fuel based electricity generation falling to its lowest point since 1955. These promising figures signify the UK’s greener conscious and leaning towards more sustainable practices.
Photo Credit: Nick Fewings
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Further Reading: Emissions fall by 3.6% to medieval levels
IBM is scaling up on renewable energy to power its data centres
IBM (International Business Machine Corporation), world leading technology company is aiming to make its operations more sustainable. This follows the IEA’s (International Energy Agency) revelation that data centres worldwide accounted for 2-3% of the globe’s electricity use in 2024. IBM operates 60 data centres worldwide and is determined to make its operations more sustainable and reach net zero carbon emissions by 2030. A project, in collaboration with Clean Energy Capital, aims to generate energy from a solar farm that would supply renewable energy to one of its UK data centres as well as to a nearby office. IBM’s commitment to sustainability can be traced back to 2001 with its first purchase of renewable electricity and has continued to commit to green energy with 75% of worldwide electricity consumption coming from renewable sources. For companies looking to further their commitment to ESG, see ESG tools to navigate evolving sustainability reporting guidelines.
Photo Credit:American Public Power Association
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Further reading: How IBM is Ramping Up Renewables to Power its Data Centres
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by the authors are their own, not those of impakter.com — Cover Photo Credit: Marcin Jozwiak
