Today’s ESG Updates
- Fossil Fuels to Blame for Nearly ⅔ of Deaths in Europe’s June Heatwave: New study attributes the majority of early summer heat deaths in 12 cities to human-driven warming.
- France’s Veolia Invests $95M in UK Recycling Plant: New facility will convert PET food trays into food-safe materials to support UK retailers.
- UK-Sumitomo $10B Clean Energy Deal: Partnership supports UK’s net-zero goals with focus on grids, offshore wind, and hydrogen.
- U.S. Expands Tariff Pressure: Trump targets six more countries, including the Philippines, Libya, and Iraq, with tariffs up to 30%.
Human-caused global warming linked to nearly ⅔ of deaths in Europe’s June heatwave:
A new study at Imperial College London links ⅔ of the 2,300 deaths during Europe’s recent heatwave to human-driven climate change. Climate scientists found that 2.2–3.9°C of the temperature rise was due to fossil fuel emissions, significantly increasing risks for the elderly and medically vulnerable. The analysis covers 12 cities, including Paris, London, and Madrid, and warns that climate inaction could double or triple the number of heatwave days by 2100. The death toll from climate change-driven heat in many European cities was higher than in other recent disasters, including the 2021 floods in northwest Europe and the 2024 Valencia floods. Moreover, scientists believe that the official death counts likely underestimate the true toll of extreme heat. This is a devastating reminder that climate-related health impacts are not just humanitarian concerns, as they pose growing operational and reputational risks that must be factored into businesses’ resilience planning.
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Further reading: Human-Caused Global Warming Spiked the Death Toll of Europe’s Early Summer Heatwave
Veolia invests $95M in UK’s largest closed-loop plastic recycling facility
French environmental services provider Veolia has begun construction on a £70 million ($95 million) plastic recycling facility in the UK, its largest to date. The plant will use closed-loop technology to recycle PET trays into food-grade material, supporting British supermarkets and reducing reliance on single-use plastic. The project is part of Veolia’s £1 billion UK investment plan through 2030. The closed-loop recycling facility is expected to be operational by early 2026, Veolia CEO Gavin Graveson hopes that it will help the UK go well beyond the current 2.2 million tonnes of plastic packaging recycled each year. The company called on the UK government to accelerate the rise in the Plastic Packaging Tax to further incentivize domestic recycling infrastructure.
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Further reading: France’s Veolia launches $95 million plastic recycling project in Britain
UK secures $10B from Japan’s Sumitomo for clean energy development
The UK government announced on Wednesday a $10 billion clean energy investment agreement with Japan’s Sumitomo Corporation, aimed at scaling up hydrogen production, offshore wind, and grid infrastructure over the next decade. UK Investment Minister Poppy Gustafsson emphasized the strategic role of private sector capital in reaching net-zero goals and boosting the UK’s slow growth. Gustafsson also highlights that Japan has been a crucial partner for overcoming supply chain constraints. The deal reflects rising international interest in UK renewables amid global trade tensions, and further positions Britain as a potential “central hub” for clean energy investment.
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Further reading: UK secures $10 bln clean energy investment deal with Japan’s Sumitomo Corp
Trump expands tariff threats to six more nations
Trump has threatened new tariffs on six additional countries, including the Philippines, Brunei, and Iraq, with rates of up to 30% set to take effect on August 1 unless new trade deals are reached. The Wednesday announcement expands a growing list of U.S. trade tensions and reflects the administration’s push for “reciprocal” trade balances. Trump has tied tariff avoidance to domestic manufacturing and continues to warn of penalties for countries that retaliate against the U.S. These constant disruptions weaken investor confidence and strain clean energy supply chains that rely on global cooperation. Businesses can rely on ESG solutions for the latest updates and solutions regarding the trade war.
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Further reading: Trump threatens more countries with tariffs as high as 30%
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by the authors are their own, not those of impakter.com — Cover Photo Credit: Sarah Sheedy
