Today’s ESG Updates
- Brazil’s Abrolhos Reefs Decline: Warming seas and human activity drive coral loss, with protected areas failing to halt ecosystem damage.
- Italy Extends Fuel Tax Cuts: Government moves to ease rising energy costs as inflation accelerates, while pushing the EU for budget flexibility.
- Naturgy Profit Rises on Energy Prices: Higher gas prices and stronger power output boost earnings, though shares fall on EU sanctions concerns.
- Chinese Solar Firms Face Ongoing Losses: Weak domestic demand and overcapacity outweigh gains from rising overseas interest in renewables.
Climate stress weakens South Atlantic reefs
Corals in Brazil’s Abrolhos reefs have shrunk noticeably over the past two decades, with researchers estimating a drop of about 15% since 2006. Warmer ocean temperatures are driving more frequent bleaching events, and even when corals regain their colour, many don’t fully recover. Scientists say the reefs are also changing in structure, with large branching corals becoming less common and being replaced by faster-growing types that don’t support marine life as well.
Human activity has added to the damage, particularly dredging near the Port of Caravelas, which has worsened water quality. Protected areas have not been enough to stop the decline. Biologist Ricardo Gomes warned that the reefs are vital for biodiversity, fishing, and coastal livelihoods, meaning their loss could affect far more than marine ecosystems.
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Further reading: Brazil’s Abrolhos corals, the South Atlantic’s most diverse, decline as climate warms
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Italy extends fuel tax relief to ease energy costs
Italy will extend its cut in fuel excise duties beyond May 1 to help households and businesses cope with rising energy costs, Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti said. The government has already spent around €700 million on the measure over the past 40 days, and new plans may focus more on reducing diesel prices. The decision comes as inflation continues to accelerate, driven largely by higher energy costs.
Consumer prices rose by 2.9% year-on-year in April, up from 1.6% in March, reflecting ongoing turmoil in global energy markets. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has supported extending the cuts, while Italy is also urging the EU to allow greater budget flexibility for energy support. Officials argue that current rules favor defense spending but limit governments’ ability to respond to the energy crisis.
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Further reading: Italy to extend excise duty cut on fuels, economy minister says
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Naturgy gains from energy market surge
Spanish energy company Naturgy reported a 5% rise in first-quarter profit to €530 million, supported by higher power generation and expansion of its network business. Higher gas prices, pushed up by supply disruptions during the Iran war, helped lift earnings without adding much to costs. The company also expanded its renewable capacity and increased wind and hydropower output.
Revenue dropped 6.9%, though it still came in above analyst expectations, while core earnings edged up. Naturgy also raised its 2025 dividend by more than 10% on the back of stronger results. Despite this, its shares fell as investors reacted to uncertainty over potential EU sanctions that could disrupt the company’s long-term gas imports from Russia.
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Further reading: Naturgy’s first-quarter profit rises 5% on higher power generation and network growth
Solar demand shifts fail to offset China slowdown
Chinese solar manufacturers reported mixed first-quarter results, as rising overseas interest driven by energy market disruptions failed to offset weaker demand at home. Firms including JinkoSolar and Trina Solar narrowed losses, supported by stronger module prices and growth in energy storage. However, domestic demand has declined following changes to China’s power pricing system, reducing returns for renewable projects.
Analysts say global demand is still expected to fall as a sharp slowdown in China outweighs gains abroad. Persistent overcapacity has kept prices below profitable levels, slowing any meaningful recovery. Longi Green Energy reported wider losses, underlining the continued financial strain across the sector despite growing investor interest in renewables.
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Further reading: Chinese solar manufacturers post fresh losses despite optimism about Iran war-led boost to overseas demand
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by the authors are their own, not those of impakter.com — In the Cover Photo: Coral reef in water Cover Photo Credit: Francesco Ungaro
