Today’s ESG Updates
- Brazil Boosts Flood Resilience: The World Bank is backing a US$119.2 million project to improve flood protection and disaster preparedness in Brazil’s Santa Catarina state.
- OPEC Fund Backs Viet Nam SMEs: A new US$50 million loan to SeABank will expand financing for small businesses and climate-related projects across Viet Nam.
- Thailand Tackles Invasive Fish: Blackchin tilapia continues to spread across Thailand, threatening native wildlife, fisheries and local livelihoods.
- Wildfire Hits Southwest France: More than 10,000 people have been evacuated as a major wildfire continues to burn near the Spanish border.
World Bank boosts flood resilience in Brazil
The World Bank is backing a new US$119.2 million project to help Brazil’s Santa Catarina state manage flooding better and reduce damage from extreme weather. The state is among the most vulnerable to landslides and flooding, resulting in economic losses totaling US$7.2 billion between 1991 and 2023. The World Bank project will benefit 54 municipalities, especially those with the highest flood risks, representing an expected 420,000 people.
River improvements, stronger flood barriers, and expanded early warning systems are all planned as part of the project. Nature-based flood management will also be introduced alongside existing infrastructure, helping communities better prepare for increasingly severe flooding. Jorge Coarasa, World Bank Acting Country Director for Brazil, said, “Continued job generation and local prosperity in the region will depend on sustainable strategies to adapt to growing flood risks.”
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Further reading: World Bank to Build Flood Resilience and Protect Jobs in Brazil’s Santa Catarina State
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OPEC Fund backs SMEs and climate finance
The Southeast Asia Commercial Joint Stock Bank (SeABank) will receive a new US$50 million loan from the OPEC Fund for International Development to increase lending for small businesses and climate-related investments in Viet Nam. The loan is intended to help smaller businesses secure the financing needed to invest and grow.
The investment will also support projects such as energy-efficient buildings, rooftop solar, electric mobility, and other clean energy initiatives. It marks the latest step in the partnership between the OPEC Fund and SeABank as both organizations continue to support sustainable business growth and climate investment.
Abdulhamid Alkhalifa, the OPEC Fund President, said, “Small businesses are central to Viet Nam’s economy and an important source of jobs and growth. This financing will help more companies access the capital they need to invest and expand, while supporting practical climate solutions that can strengthen competitiveness and resilience.”
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Further reading: OPEC Fund provides US$50 million to SeABank to boost small business and climate finance in Viet Nam
Related Articles
Here is a list of articles selected by our Editorial Board that have gained significant interest from the public:
Blackchin tilapia spreads across Thailand
Blackchin tilapia, an invasive fish originally from West Africa, is spreading across Thailand and causing growing problems for rivers, fisheries and local communities. The species has now been reported in 19 provinces, where it is affecting native wildlife, shrimp farms, and coastal fishing livelihoods.
Officials have introduced measures to slow its spread, including encouraging fishing, releasing natural predators, and developing sterile fish. With the species now firmly established, experts say removing it is no longer realistic. Authorities are now looking at ways to manage the species while protecting rivers and native wildlife.
The extent of ecosystem impacts on Thailand’s water systems remains largely undetermined. From animal feed to fermented fish sauce, locals are trying to find more uses for the abundant fish. Many Thai locals do not want to eat the fish, yet some chefs are trying to incorporate it into their menus.
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Further reading: ‘They ate the shrimp, they even ate the crab’: Thai fishers count the cost of a voracious invader
Wildfire forces evacuations in France
More than 10,000 people have been evacuated from towns and villages in southwest France as a large wildfire continues to burn near the Spanish border. The fire has already scorched around 4,600 hectares, with strong winds expected to make conditions more difficult for firefighters.
On the other side of the border in Spain, 2,200 hectares burned, with 500 people evacuated from the Sierra de Espadan national park.
The wildfire comes after a series of early-summer heatwaves that left parts of France and western Europe more vulnerable to fires. Firefighters are continuing to tackle the blaze while authorities restrict access to affected areas to support emergency operations and protect residents.
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Further reading: Thousands evacuated from homes in southwest France as wildfire burns
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by the authors are their own, not those of impakter.com — In the Cover Photo: City in Santa Catarina Palopó. Cover Photo Credit: By Topo
