Energy in Demand News, September 17, 2023

The Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTI) is undergoing some changes. SBTI show companies how much and how quickly businesses need to reduce their GHG emissions to prevent the worst impacts of climate change, leading them on a clear path towards decarbonisation. By guiding companies in science-based target setting, SBTi enables them to tackle climate change … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, September 17, 2023

The world’s poorest countries, mostly in Africa, are effectively priced out of the clean energy action by a global lending system that considers them too risky for investment

Max Bearak writes on the New York Times website about the lack of access to needed financing. A big obstacle is the lack of loans, a subject of intense disagreement between richer and poorer countries. But in Congo, where Mr. Bearak is writing from, a hard-fought solar investment shows a possible path forward.   Clean … Continue reading The world’s poorest countries, mostly in Africa, are effectively priced out of the clean energy action by a global lending system that considers them too risky for investment

No banks disclosed the share of total finance directed towards climate solutions in the last year, according to analysis by the TPI Centre

Only 6 of 26 banks have disclosed a commitment to end all on- and off-balance sheet activities that finance new coal capacity immediately. Only one of the banks’ net zero emissions commitments covers on and off-balance sheets activities. Five banks have publicly disclosed the quantitative results of climate scenario analysis to their shareholders and clients. … Continue reading No banks disclosed the share of total finance directed towards climate solutions in the last year, according to analysis by the TPI Centre

One of the issues with ESG is how difficult it is for investors, consumers and the public to assess how effectively companies have implemented it

In an article on the Conversation website, Daniel Tsai, Lecturer in Business and Law at the University of Toronto and Peer Zumbansen, Professor of Business Law at McGill University discuss the need for changes to how ESG is implemented. The lack of government leadership and the fragmentation of the ESG landscape has created uncertainty about … Continue reading One of the issues with ESG is how difficult it is for investors, consumers and the public to assess how effectively companies have implemented it

New report from Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment finds that financial institutions’ climate strategies are far off track from what’s needed for climate action

A new report published by the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment (“Finance for Zero: Redefining Financial-Sector Action to Achieve Global Climate Goals”) finds that financial institutions’ climate strategies are far off track from what’s needed for climate action, and even from their own commitments. The financial sector’s climate commitments “often overstate or misrepresent the extent to which they support … Continue reading New report from Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment finds that financial institutions’ climate strategies are far off track from what’s needed for climate action

Fears that key upcoming climate and finance summit in Paris is not being taken seriously

Just two weeks ahead of a key climate and finance summit, only two developed country leaders have promised to turn up. Joe Lo discusses latest developments in an article on the Climate Home News website.   Rich world’s leaders fail to commit to Paris global financing summit Two weeks ahead of a highly-anticipated climate finance … Continue reading Fears that key upcoming climate and finance summit in Paris is not being taken seriously

Silencing climate voices in the insurance industry, but not actions

There have been recent attacks by Republican-led states in the US against investors and insurers who integrate the risks of climate change into their business models. Rachel Kyte, Dean of the Fletcher School at Tufts University writes on The Conversation website that, while voices may have changed, for the most part actions have not. Fewer … Continue reading Silencing climate voices in the insurance industry, but not actions

Dutch government announces major funding for climate measures

A news item on the Dutch News website details the latest funding for climate measures in The Netherlands. The approach is to ensure climate policy ‘works for everyone, no matter where they live, their age or their income.’ Is it enough?   Cabinet allocates €28bn to slashing CO2 emissions The cabinet is to spend €28 … Continue reading Dutch government announces major funding for climate measures

Hopes that green capital markets could quickly close Europe’s green investment gap are overblown

The Jacques Delors Centre recently published a policy brief by Sebastian Mack. He argues that with key reforms of the Capital Markets Union stalled, the European Green Deal will rely mainly on bank lending. EU policymakers should acknowledge this and shift the focus to greening banks. The Jacques Delors Centre, founded by Jacques Delors in … Continue reading Hopes that green capital markets could quickly close Europe’s green investment gap are overblown

What the new head of the World Bank needs to cope with

Rachel Kyte, Dean of the Fletcher School, Tufts University, writes on The Conversation website about what the next head of the World Bank needs to do to address our climate and debit crises. It should be noted that Ajay Banga is the only candidate for World Bank president.   Can this former CEO fix the … Continue reading What the new head of the World Bank needs to cope with